- What is a heater for?
- Aquarium thermoregulators
- How to properly install the heater in the aquarium?
- Care issues
Many aquarium fish come from the tropics, so the optimum temperature for their life is 26-27 degrees. Therefore, the installation of a heater in an aquarium is an important time in the arrangement of "housing" for its inhabitants. If in summer you can maintain a suitable microclimate in an artificial pond without much difficulty, then in winter, without a special device for heating water, fish can die. Let's figure out how to do this work with your own hands
to the contents ↑What is a heater for?
- In winter, the water in the aquarium can be excessively cold.
- The temperature of the water is different day and night, and the fish do not tolerate such changes.
- For many fish, the optimal temperature of the environment is higher than the room temperature, and the water itself will not warm up to the desired digits.
Important! Modern models of water heaters maintain the best microclimate. They are equipped with temperature sensors to not overheat the water too much.
to the contents ↑Aquarium temperature controllers
These are devices with a built-in thermostat. You set the required water temperature, and the device heats it to the desired figures. After that, it automatically turns off, turning on after the medium starts to cool down.
There are 2 types of similar water heating devices.
- Mechanical.
- Electronic.
Important! Mechanical devices are less precise( the error is from 1 to 2 degrees), but they have a lower cost. Electronic devices are much more accurate, but their cost is much higher.
Most of the devices come without a built-in thermometer. The device maintains the optimum temperature, but does not show its value. Therefore, you need to purchase a special thermometer for water together with a thermoregulator.
Choosing an aquarium water heater, you need to pay attention to such characteristics:
- Correct selection of power.
- Presence of thermoregulation.
Important! It is believed that a 10-watt device is sufficient to heat water with a volume of 4.5 liters. In an artificial pond of a larger volume, it is better to buy not one powerful device, but several low-power ones: it is easier to heat water to optimum figures.
Advantages of
Modern models of water heaters have the following advantages:
- Reliability.
- Ability to place under water.
- Security.
Important! If the device is used for a long time, it can give an error, therefore it should be checked periodically using a conventional thermometer.
Now about what kind of water heater for an aquarium is better. If you use a shallow soil, it is advisable to use a heater-thermal cable. In this case, you not only maintain the necessary characteristics of the environment, but also create better conditions for aquatic plants. In addition, the heated water freely rises to the surface, not stagnating in the ground.
to the contents ↑How to install the heater correctly in the aquarium?
Depending on the installation method, there are 2 types of aquarium water heaters:
- Non-submersible. These models are lowered to a certain point. The upper part of the device is above the surface.
Important! The disadvantage of non-submersible devices is a short service life.
- Submersible. Such devices have a longer life, since they are completely in the water.
How to properly install the heater in the aquarium?
- The appliance must not be installed close to the surface, as during evaporation the upper part of it can be exposed to air, which leads to the failure of the heater.
- Do not install the handset at the bottom of the aquarium. The minimum distance from the bottom is 20 mm.
- The tube is installed near the oxygen filter. Air emissions promote a uniform warming of the water mass throughout the aquarium.
- Once the instrument is installed, you can not immediately connect it to the network. Take the time in about half an hour. In this case, the temperature of the heater and the medium will be equal.
Important! If you do not wait for this time, the glass may crack. If you want to clean the aquarium, the appliance must be switched off.
to the contents ↑Care questions
The appliance must not be disassembled. Care of it is quite simple: its surface should be periodically cleaned with a soft sponge. Cleaning from the boiler stone must be done by special means. After the heater is cleaned of stone, it must be thoroughly rinsed.
That's it! No difficulties in order to properly install the heater in the aquarium, no. The main thing is to observe all the parameters, and monitor the functionality of the device.