Top Rated Fish Aquarium Heater – Reviews & Guide
If you own an aquarium but don’t have the time to spend looking for the best aquarium heater, you can let someone else do the job for you. Dr. Fox has some interesting suggestions to bring to your attention. After carefully reviewing several aspects such as overall brand quality and expert feedback, the product that meets all the important requirements is the Aqueon 100106106. Shatterproof and resistant to almost any type of shocks, this device can be submerged under the water. Moreover, it features an electronic thermostat that ensures all temperature settings are correct. If this product is not available, check the Aquaneat 2 x 300W Aquarium Heater Anti-Explosion, another good option.
Comparison table
Our Top Choice
As an aquarium owner, you will be delighted with how quickly you can set up this heater and put it to work. The manufacturer also supplies a comprehensive instructions manual to help you with this process. Made from aluminum, this heater presents many different advantages. For starters, it is durable and can withstand some accidents. Also, it is great at distributing heat evenly, which will help with the general living conditions in your aquarium.
Some issues with the thermostat controller were reported by users.
An excellent aquarium heater that will serve you for years, without a glitch.
2nd Best
If there is one thing aquarium owners must decide first and foremost is what type of heater they need. The good news is that this model works for both freshwater and saltwater tanks, which means that there is no guessing work involved. Another thing that makes this product excellent is the fact that it works in any position you want to place it. Its most important advantage, however, is the ability to maintain the same temperature in your tank. It is for tanks up to 100 gallons.
You will need some extension cords, as the cord delivered is on the short side.
A versatile heater that will do an excellent job maintaining the proper temperature.
Also To Consider
Ease of use is paramount for any aquarium owner when selecting a heater. This model offers everything you need in such a product, and all in a compact design. You will be able to use it in various aquariums, for different species of fish, as the temperature can be adjusted between 65F and 93F. The indicator light that lets you know if the heater is on adds to the ease of use of this particular product. The safety function ensures that it will not run on dry.
The instructions manual seems to be vague in explaining the setup process.
An optimal pick for someone who favors ease of use, and safety features.
5 Best Aquarium Heaters For Fish (Reviews) in 2023
1. Aqua One Glass Heater
This fully submersible heater from Aqueon is an excellent choice for your aquarium thanks to its easy setup process and detailed instruction manual.
Built to last, the device is completely shatterproof and won’t break even you expose it to different shocks and accidents. This is attributed to its aluminum construction that is responsible for its sturdiness and even heat distribution.
In order to see the temperature setting, you have to set the heater horizontally. There’s no need to use a flashlight or any other sources because the device has an indicator light built-in.
When the heater is not in the water, the electrical thermostat will automatically power off and reset itself once the heater is ready to be submerged in the water.
Moreover, the unit provides a large control knob where you can modify the temperature according to your personal preferences.
Practical and easy to handle, the heater features a clear monitor light that goes green when the aquarium has reached the set temperature.
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2. Aquarium Heater Anti Explosion Submersible Fish Tank Water Adjustable
If you’re looking for a reliable aquarium heater that can be used in both freshwater and saltwater tanks, then this one from Aquaneat is the perfect solution for your needs. To help you choose a good tank, we also put together a list with top manufacturers.
The product can be fully submerged in water and provides an optimum aquarium water temperature no matter the position, horizontal or vertical.
Recommended for tanks that go up to 100 gallons, the device ensures a large temperature range that goes from 65 F degrees to 93 F degrees. The unit is reliable and sensitive to changes but does a great job at maintaining a uniform temperature.
Outfitted with an automatic shut-off feature when the desired level of temperature is reached, the unit includes two suction cups that are ideal for a safe mounting.
It is recommended to use a minimum of 305 watts per gallon in order to ensure the aquarium works at an optimum temperature level. Also, the heater must always operate under water and the power cut off with at least 10 minutes before removing it out of the water.
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3. Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater
With a simple and compact design, this heater from Eheim features a long tube that is easy to use and to read the temperature readings.
Outfitted with an on/off indicator light, the device allows you to set the desired temperature in just a few seconds.
Thanks to its TruTemp system, the unit can be recalibrated in order to provide precise temperature regulation. Furthermore, it enables the heater to keep the aquarium water at a constant level.
There’s no need to worry about safety because this product is made of shock-resistant and waterproof glass. Therefore, it is sturdy enough to withstand a full submerge in both freshwater and saltwater.
Also, the heater comes with thermic safety functions that offer protection against running dry. Basically, the product is able to turn itself off when the water has reached a critical level.
Built to last, the heater delivers great results for temperatures that range between 65 and 93 F degrees. The product package includes a long power cord and two suction cups for easy installation.
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4. Marina Submersible Pre Set Heater
This lightweight and compact aquarium heater from Marina is suitable for both freshwater tanks and salted waters.
Thanks to its user-friendly design, the device ensures the temperature readings are easy to view.
There’s no need to worry about safety or water contamination because the heater can be fully submerged in the water. Moreover, it features a special glass construction that can resist to impacts and shocks. The product won’t break or malfunction due to the waterproof sealing.
Quite safe to set up and to handle, the product package includes brackets with suction cups that enable a rapid and secure installation.
Outfitted with many practical settings, this item ensures an easy-to-access temperature set dial, an on/off pilot light indicator and a bumper guard to ensure safety for the fish inside the aquarium. Due to its small size of less than 9 inch, the heater works great with the majority of the aquariums.
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5. Fluval E Advanced Electronic Heater
This electronic heater from Fluval features dual temperature sensors that provide accurate water temperatures for your aquarium.
With a temperature range of 68 to 93 F degrees, the product is equipped with a user-friendly LCD that allows you to toggle between Fahrenheit and Celsius scales.
Outfitted with a safety shut-off setting if the water gets too hot, the product is safe to use in aquariums thanks to its fishguard.
If the temperature is different from the level previously set, the display of the unit will change color and notify you about potential risks.
The product is built with a VueTech technology system that enables precision and safety while the heater is in use. When exposed to outside heating sources and the water inside the aquarium changes, the screen will flash and notify you that the temperature level is faulty.
Since fish can come in direct contact with the heater, this item has a secure glass sleeve that prevents fish from getting close.
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Our Comprehensive Buying Guide
Finding the best heater for aquarium it’s not an easy task if you’re not sure what to look for. With so many products for sale, it’s really no surprise that you have doubts regarding compatibility of some heaters with your aquarium. You have an interesting buying guide showcased below that teaches you about the mandatory features that you must consider prior to making up your mind about a specific item.
Size of the aquarium
One important aspect worth mentioning is that all aquarium heaters are rated in watts. Generally, manufacturers state on the product package what size of aquarium a particular heater is designed for.
As a rule, you should know that you need five watts per gallon in order to heat one gallon of water. Therefore, a 20-gallon tank requires a 100-watt heater. However, this rule isn’t applied if the temperature in your house tends to get quite cold at night.
Larger aquariums need more than one heater because this way the wattage is split in half. It’s better to invest in a good aquarium heater especially if you have a fish tank with a larger water capacity that goes beyond 50 gallons.
New models are outfitted with an alarm that notifies you when fish come near the heater. Just make sure to turn off the heater before you remove it from the water tank because this type of devices is made of glass that gets really hot and might crack over your aquarium.
Type of heaters
Depending on your personal preferences and needs, you can get a good heater for fish tanks that doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are several models on the market so you can choose one that works great for your aquarium.
Most aquarium owners use the standard heater or the thermostat unit that looks like a long and thin glass tube that has a heater at the bottom and a thermostat at the top. These type of heaters are specially designed to be fully submerged in the water. The main advantage is that they provide accurate and fast temperature readings.
In addition, there are other heaters that do a great job and you can use them as spare heaters if you want to be certain that you’ll never run out of one tool.
For instance, there are separate thermostats that you get if you already have an undertank heater. Other models include an undertank heater mat that is basically a mat placed under the aquarium. This may not be a good option if you have aquarium substrate so make sure to read the product description before finalizing your purchase.
Another interesting choice consists of in-line heaters that are plumbed into the tubing located between the external filter and the aquarium. Once the water runs through the heater, it gets warmed up. Due to their heat-proof plastic construction, they are easy and safe to handle.
Extra features
You should buy a product that offers you plenty of practicality and many useful features. Besides the simple function of heating the water, you need an LCD display that allows reading the temperature without any light source.
Some heaters are versatile and allow owners to use other temperature scales if they’re not accustomed to either Fahrenheit or Celsius. Also, there are users that like a product that can be controlled out of the tank.
Pay attention to these settings but also consider your product choice as a part of the big picture. Aside from a heater, you’ll need an aquarium thermometer that allows you to monitor the temperature of the aquarium water. Also, the look of your fish tanks must provide a safe habitat for the fish. In order to do so, you’ll need to invest in a nice aquarium decor that gives them the opportunity to hide and play as often as they like.
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