hydrokable heater
 

Has anyone had any experience using a Hydrokable heater? I like the idea of an under-gravel heater because there would be less clutter. But would live plants be happy with it it? Could I use it as my only heater, in a 15 gallon tall tropical tank?

I use them in a couple of my herp tanks. The plants will love it as it keeps their feet warm. I'm happy with them in the herp tanks. A tad to the expensive side though.

hmmm, do you think i would be OK using it as my only heater? I'm OK with the cost as long as i wouldn't have to buy a 2nd heater. it's the thought of not seeing any heater in there at all ...that appeals to me. :)

Again, my only experience is using it in my herp tanks. I have known people that have used it with mixed results. I worked fine for me in my application. If you are worried about making the heater "invisible" why not use submersibles? Most of my display tanks are using those. You can hide the heater behind bogwood, plants and such.

i wouldnt use it. everything i read doesnt really help much. costs a lot and is a inefficient heater.

I ended up getting a "marineland visi-therm stealth" submersible heater instead... above the gravel but I still like it a lot. It is small and dull black, doesn't draw attention to itself, and the temperature in there has been very stable ever since I put it in. :) much better than my old heater.