How to Choose the Right Size of an Aquarium Heater: a Buyer Guide
Author Aubree Rose Reading 1 min Views 10 Published by
It’s not a secret that fish and other aquarium habitats are cold-blooded creatures. It means that they can’t regulate their body temperature by themselves. Instead, they fully depend on their environment. This is why sustaining a comfortable temperature of aquarium water is crucial for their health and life. A device that is used to keep the water temperature at a due level is known as an aquarium heater.
Aquarium heaters come in a variety of types and sizes. By aquarium heater size, we mean its capacity, which is measured in watts. Knowing how to calculate the heating power depending on the tank size will help you choose the best aquarium heaters for various types of aquariums.
Table of Contents:
Aquarium Heater Types
How to Choose the Aquarium Heater Size Correctly
How to Use Aquarium Heaters: Useful Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on construction, three main types of aquarium heaters are distinguished. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages. Choose the right option, taking into account the size of your aquarium and its type.
Essentially, larger aquariums require larger (and more powerful) heaters. Approximately, you need 2.5 through 5 watts to heat up one gallon of water. However, the amount of water is not the only thing to consider. There are two more variables: the temperature in the room and the desired water temperature.
To find an optimal heater size for your aquarium do some simple preliminary calculations. First of all, find how many degrees you need to raise the temperature on. For example, you need a temperature of 75 degrees while an average temperature in the room is 65 degrees. It means you need to add 10 degrees. The volume of your aquarium is 30 gallons. The right heater capacity will be 75-100 watts.
Use the chart below to find the best heater size for your aquarium. If you received a borderline value (e.g. 75-100), opt for the larger size (100).
Aquarium size (gal.) | Add 9 degrees F | Add 18 degrees F | Add 27 degrees F |
5 | 25 W | 50 W | 75 W |
10 | 50 W | 75 W | 75 W |
20 | 50 W | 75 W | 150W |
25 | 75 W | 100 W | 200 W |
40 | 100 W | 150 W | 300 W |
50 | 150 W | 200 W | 2 x 200 W |
65 | 200 W | 250 W | 2 x 250 W |
75 | 250 W | 300 W | 2 x 300 W |
To sum the things up, here are short answers to some popular buyers’ questions. Check yourself if you are still not sure how to choose the right aquarium heater size. We hope our tips and recommendations will help you to find the best option.
A: It depends on the tank size, the temperature in your room, and the target temperature of water in the aquarium. Use the chart above to make the right choice.
A: A 200-watt heater is sufficient if you need to raise the temperature on 9 degrees F. For raising the temperature on 18 or 27 degrees, you need 250 or 500 watts respectively.
A: Submersible heaters are considered reliable and effective. Try to choose products from reputable brands, such as Fluval, Tetra, or EHEIM.
A: It depends on what fish species you have. Coldwater fish feel good at the temperature of 65-68 F while tropical fish need the temperature of 75-80 F to feel comfortable.