Proper Temperature For Your Freshwater Aquarium

There really is no proper temperature that will applyunit, specifically designed to contain your heating and
to all freshwater aquarium setups; it is all dictated byfiltering equipment (yes, they will cost more).
the needs of your aquatic animals. However, a typical#4 - Substrate Heaters. For those serious plant
range for tropical freshwater setups will begrowers that want to keep their roots warm,
somewhere in the vicinity of 72-82 degreessubstrate heaters are basically heat cords (sealed off
Fahrenheit.of course) that you wind through your gravel; they
It is important that you try to stock your aquariumproduce a very gentle heat and enhance plant
with fish that are compatible with each other, by thisgrowth. Most of these designs will use a secondary
I mean that putting a fish whose native waters areheating source.
82 degrees with one who comes from 70 degreeOnce you have determined what type of heater you
water is going to create stressful conditions for onewant, you need to know what size to get. Heater
or both of them. Remember, the first rule ofsize is expressed in wattage, for example, 50W or
successful aquarium keeping is to avoid stress. It is a100W. For aquariums up to 50 gallons in volume, one
simple rule really, stress = illness, injury and prematureheater is sufficient; anything larger should have
death.multiple units to ensure that the water is heated
When it comes to heating your aquarium, there areuniformly throughout.
two primary choices plus several others used in moreThe size of heater you need is determined by three
specialized applications.factors:a) The size of your aquarium in gallonsb) The
#1 - Immersible Heaters. Immersibles are at theheat requirements of your fishc) The ambient room
bottom of the price bracket, often you can findtemperature where your tank is situated.
them on sale for under $10 US. Be sure to pick upArmed with that information, you can calculate your
one or two to use in emergencies, like when yourneeds. A 50 watt heater will theoretically increase the
primary heater stops working! They mount on thetemperature of a 20 gallon tank by 9 degrees.
rim of your aquarium and only the heating element isExample: You have a 40 gallon aquarium - your room
placed in the water - the control unit must remain outtemperature averages 65 degrees F. - your fish are
of the water. Although adequate, Immersibles arehappiest at 74 degrees F. - you will need, at
not always as efficient as other options.minimum, ONE 100W heater or TWO 50W heaters
#2 - Submersible Heaters. These heaters are waterIt is never a bad idea to have slightly more than you
tight and can be placed fully under water. Theyneed, that way your heater is not working at
present more flexibility for placement, are easier tomaximum capacity all the time. In our example above,
disguise with plants or decorations, and do a betterI would go with one 150W (or two 75W) heaters.
job of evenly heating your aquarium; their flexibilityAnd keep in mind - we are discussing the
enables you to position them directly under the filtertemperature of your aquarium, it's not always about
return flow. And of course they will cost more thanheating. If you happen to live in a warm climate with
Immersibles.temperatures consistently over 85 degrees in the
#3 - In filter heaters. There are a few manufacturerssummer, and you do not have your aquarium in an air
that have built heating elements into their canisterconditioned room, you will have to consider cooling
filters, an expensive option but great if you do notyour water or risk the lives of your fish.
want to see the heater inside your beautifulTemperature in your freshwater aquarium is all about
aquarium. Also, many acrylic tank designs have amaintaining a consistent rang - this will usually mean
separate invisible filter box built in at the back of theheating your water, but for some it can mean cooling.