Is it ok to plant right near the heater? Will it bother the plants if they're too close or the leaves are touching the heater? This is in a 10 gallon with a 50 watt heater.
You failed to say what kind of plant, but we wil go ahead with an answer. Leaves should not touch the heater. However, I just went to check my tanks, and I have a couple where an Amazon sword is touching the heater. None ofthe leaves are burned or damaged by the heater and the plant looks fine. I think that where a problem may arise is when you use a high wattage heater, say 150w or larger. Then the elelment gets very hot and may cause damage.
Oops, sorry about that. I was thinking of anacharis along the back of my tank to kind of hide the heater. There's also a crypt near the heater right now but I may move it.
I kind of had the same thought that 50W was probably low enough not to do too much damage but you never know.
I have the same experience with small heaters, 50-75 watt heaters in 10 gallon tanks without a problem. I have had Vals, swords, and Ludwigia grow all around the heater without a problem. One thing to make sure is that the plant does not cut down on circulation around the heater. This could lead to a colder tank and the plants touching the heater to overheat.
I agree with Herefishy, larger heaters would likely be more of a problem.
That's a good point about the water circulation...hadn't thought of that.
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