Do you have tropical fish and live in a cold climate? You may need to buy an aquarium heater. It is actually more likely that your fish have come from warmer temperatures as aquarium fish tend to have. This means that they should be kept in constantly warm temperatures, specifically above room temperature. You may think that fish are cold-blooded, but many kinds of aquarium fish actually need heaters to thrive. Fish do best in environments that have characteristics that are almost similar to their original habitat.

How aquarium heaters work

Aquarium heaters stabilize temperatures for tropical fish that cannot withstand inconsistent conditions. Fish cannot regulate and produce their own body heat. So, without heaters, fish may become too cold. This may seem weird for you because fish do live in water. Water may feel cold after awhile to humans. However, if you have to take a shower in warm water and turn the shower off for awhile, you will eventually feel cold. Stay under the warm shower and you won't. Fish need the same kind of consistency; they need to stay in warm water.

Types of aquarium heaters

Heaters differ in the way they produce heat. The most popular aquarium heater is the immersion style. You will find a glass tube that encases ceramic or glass in glass immersion aquarium heaters. One of these heaters is enough for a smaller aquarium. However, you may use aquarium heaters for bigger aquariums.

You may also bury a heating cable under your aquarium substrate. This cable is flexible and is the source of heat in the case of undergravel aquarium heaters. You may use such a heater if your aquarium has a lot of plants.

Another way of heating an aquarium is through heating mats. These mats are placed underneath aquariums. Because glass is a poor conductor of heat, these mats are not really that effective.

Finding the right kind of aquarium heater

How do you get the right specifications for your heater? First, find out what the average temperature of the room the tank would be placed in. Then, know what temperature your fish should live in. Subtract the former from the latter. You should also know the capacity of your tank. There is a corresponding heating power for the size of the tank and the target increase in temperature.

Let's say that you have a small tank for example. Twenty-five watts may be adequate to make the water temperature rise by 5 degrees Celsius. So, if you got an answer of 5 degrees when you did your little arithmetic earlier and you have a small tank, you may need a 25-watt heater. Of course, you can always ask your aquarium heater seller about it. Just bring along your notes, which include your room's average temperature, your fish's ideal temperature and your fish tank size. You should, of course, always have a thermometer handy.

Buying fish tank heaters

When it is time to buy an aquarium heater, you should browse different brands and models. Consider styles that you are most comfortable with and a price that is within your budget.