Saltwater Aquarium Heaters
There are a lot of
saltwater aquarium heaters
available in the market for home aquariums.
Others, of course are better. But the popular ones work off the same principles and also have parts in common.
A basic aquarium heater looks like a big test tube. It also has a wiring in it and electrical cord coming out of it.
The wiring is a heating coil in a glass tube that gets to go in your aquarium. This has to be turned on and off. You’ll be able to set the desired temperature using the thermostat.
Types of saltwater aquarium heaters:
Hanging Heater
They are usually called clamp-on, clip-on, or semi-submersible heaters. These are the old school style of heaters. They’ve been around since early 70’s.
Obviously, it is named as hanging heater because you simply hang it on the upper part of your aquarium.
The extent to which part of the body goes under water depends on the type of heater.
It will be submerged but the controls will remain out of the water.
They are inexpensive but I don’t recommend this to be the best choice.
Here are some of disadvantages:
The location on where you put it is not very efficient for heat exhange.
The location is vulnerable to disturbance of either you or the inhabitant.
There’s a high chance that it will be damage from where it is located.
They tend to have less efficient thermostats for controlling their operation.
Since you’ve probably already invested a lot of money in setting up your aquarium, try not to jeopardize the success by saving $20 on a cheap heater!
Submersible Heater
This is the preferred choice for saltwater aquariums. It is also called as immersion heater.
You can fully submerge it which ever location you want.
You can put it all the way to the bottom where it will be out of the way of you when you do your routine cleaning.
Out of the way of your inhabitants.
Out of the view.
In a more efficient location for heat dispersion.
Even in the sump of your trickle filter keeping it completely out of the way!
Submersible saltwater aquarium heaters also have advanced thermostat controls, which make it easier to set the desired temperature.
Now that you know of the two options, you now need to learn what features to look for when you purchase your saltwater aquarium heater. Click here to learn what they are.
Check out some great deals of sale and clearance heaters here!
To avoid hot spots...
Place the heater close to an area where there is a circulation of water. This way, heated water will be evenly distributed in your aquarium.
This is usually close to your filter system.
Another advice is to try to fully submerge the heater at the bottom. This way, heat convection can be optimized.
Filter sump is another great location because water is always moving through it!
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