I am reviving my love for this hobby. I had a 30gal as a young beginner and made every mistake possible as one :\ My recently fueled interest in freshwater fish led me to this wonderful site. I am going to kick off with a 10 gallon that I'd like to aquascape and maybe clean out that 30gal again and of course aquascape that as well But I had some concerns before I even start set anything up.
I was wondering what brands of heaters are reliable, lasting, easy to use and accurate? I've read through articles that say price should be overlooked due to how critical a good and true heater is to da fish. So I won't be picky over cost, although i wouldn't mind any suggestions with extra affordability. I would prefer a fully submersible heater. I am also considering an undergravel heater in tandem with the in-tank device - after reading that these are beneficial to plant life.
Yup. Stealth Visitherm fully submersible and fully adjustable heaters are the best. You can find them online cheaper than most pet stores or "specialty" fish stores.
It depends where you live. In Canada, the heater should be CSA rated, in the US it should be UL rated and Europe CE rated. There are many manufacturer out there selling without any standard. I cannot recommend a manufacturer but make sure it is rated for your country. Posted via Mobile Device
Sounds like Stealth is the way to go. I will be looking those up shortly. And good to know if Stealth isn't available local that there is a standard with that UL rating. Thanks!
Still wondering about those under-gravel heaters. For those of you who don't use them - any reason not to? If not i can try it out for all. Give some feedback. Add extra info to this site
Sounds like Stealth is the way to go. I will be looking those up shortly. And good to know if Stealth isn't available local that there is a standard with that UL rating. Thanks!
Still wondering about those under-gravel heaters. For those of you who don't use them - any reason not to? If not i can try it out for all. Give some feedback. Add extra info to this site
The "undergravel" heater I am thinking may be substrate heating, since you mention it in connection with plants. Several years ago the planted tank aquarists tossed around this then-new suggestion of improving plant growth with heating cables buried under the substrate (gravel, soil or sand as you choose). The idea is not common now because it frankly did not make much if any difference in plant growth, and I know of no authors today advocating substrate heating as beneficial enough to be necessary.
The idea behind it comes from nature: the substrate is normally slightly warmer than the water in rivers and streams. This causes currents as the water that percolates down into the substrate is warmed and then rises back up into the river/stream. This circulation of water ensures that nutrients in the water column will move around and continue to be brought into contact with the plant roots. Such circulation is normal in the aquarium without added substrate heating.
Another point is that this substrate heating is not sufficient to heat the aquarium. It is (when mentioned) always additional to normal aquarium water heating.
Diana Walstad mentions that substrate heating may prevent allelochemicals and other plant inhibitors from building up in the substrate. This is connected with allelopathy which is the release of chemical substances by some plants that can inhibit other plants from growing, a sort of plant chemical warfare:shock:. That is quite another subject.
Byron that is exactly what I needed to hear. Great info too, very detailed. The articles and books i have read are older. I haven't read anything saying anything new until now. That plant chemical warfare is a huge shock to me! absolutely crazy.
I am a future Stealth heater owner
Thanks again for all the help.
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