A lot of care is required when caring for tropical fish, and one of the most important things is to make sure that they have plenty of heat.
Tropical fish need to live in warmer water, so you need to make sure that your aquarium is fitted with the right type of heater. Not all aquarium heaters are the same, and you need to know about their various features in order to make sure that you get the right one for your aquarium.
In this post we are going to look at five of the best aquarium heaters and give you the rundown on their best features. Then we will show you exactly how to set up, install, regulate your heater.
Further Reading: Learn How To Use An Aquarium Heater Properly (Everything You Need To Know About Setting Up, Installing & Regulating Your Aquarium Heater)
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Our Top Picks
1. Best Aquarium Heater for Salt or Freshwater
Pedy Aquarium Heater
The Pedy Aquarium Heater is made from durable titanium alloy, with double seal material and insulation Teflon. It is explosion, shatterproof and is safe and easy to operate.
It is also made with anti-corrosive materials that make it ideal for both saltwater and freshwater.
2. Best Warranty
The Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater has settings ranging from 68°F to 88°F. This electronic thermostat is accurate ± 1° and is fully submersible.
It has a non-corrosive shell that allows for even heat distribution and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
3. Top for Terrariums
Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm Aquarium Heater
The Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm aquarium heater keeps a steady and accurate temperature control. It is made with high-quality European construction and comes with a 3-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
It is 1/3” thick, super flat, and shatterproof, and is fully submersible and easy to use.
4. Fit for Large Tanks
Uniclife 200W Submersible Aquarium Heater
The Uniclife 200W submersible aquarium heater is made with 2mm, extra-thick quartz glass, making it virtually shatterproof. It is fully submersible and has a water-tight sealing.
The suction cup clamps make it easy to attach this heater to the side of the aquarium, and it can be used for tanks as large as 50 gallons.
Read our guide on 200W Aquarium Heater to find the right one for you.
5. Best Electronic Controls
Finnex Electronic Controller Aquarium Heater
The electronic controls in the Finnex Electronic Controller aquarium heater ensure that your water temperature is always maintained to two degrees, plus or minus.
It is made with titanium tubes that will not corrode, and they are virtually indestructible in both freshwater and saltwater.
The Top 5 Best Aquarium Heaters
The purpose of this article is to provide you with the information you need to help you choose the best heater for your aquarium.
Today we are reviewing some of the best heaters available, with both pros and cons.
1. Pedy Aquarium Heater
The Pedy Aquarium Heater is shatterproof and will not corrode, even if you are using it in a saltwater aquarium.
There is a 1-year free replacement service, so if there are any manufacturing defects, you can contact customer service to have it replaced.
Pros
- 300 watts, ideal for 50-60 gallon tank
- Made from durable titanium and Teflon
- Automatic shut-off to protect against overheating
Cons
- Problems with heater failing
- The thermometer is not accurate
- The display is not overly visible
Why We Liked This Heater
This 300W fish tank heater is made from durable materials and is resistant to high heat and corrosion. It is long-lasting and durable and comes with two suction cups that let you easily connect it to the side of the aquarium, hiding it behind plants and other decorations.
There is an automatic over-temperature protection feature that keeps your pets safe from burning.
2. Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater
- Adjustable heat setting 68 to 88°F, Electronic Thermostat accurate to +/- 1°
The Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater for aquariums has an electronic thermostat for the most accurate temperature settings and safety.
It is user-friendly, can be used for both freshwater and saltwater tanks, and can be positioned either vertically or horizontally.
Pros
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Fully submersible and shatterproof
- LED light green when not heating, red when heating
Cons
- Some reports of defective products, cracking plastic
- Shuts itself off before reaching optimal temperature
- Thermostat not working properly, the temperature keeps climbing
Why We Liked This Heater
Aqueon Pro Heaters are made with durable materials that will not corrode, making them perfect for saltwater and freshwater aquariums.
They are fully submersible, and automatically shut off when overheating occurs, resetting when they cool down.
They also come with a limited lifetime warranty, so if there are any manufacturer defects, you can have it replaced without any hassles.
3. Cobalt Aquatics
- Super-flat design. Fully submersible, modern design for energy efficient Aquarium and terrarium heating. Includes reversible holster/bracket, which allows heater to face inward or outward. See the product images to determine the best neo-therm size for your tank.
The Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm aquarium heater features a flat design and a one-touch control system that is super-easy to use.
It has an advanced electronic thermostat that is accurate to .5 degrees F, plus or minus, and the LED displays the Set Temp and the Tank Temp.
Pros
- 3-year warranty
- Quality European construction
- Accurate temperature control
Cons
- Temperature display can be inaccurate
- Temperature doesn’t come up to higher degrees, stays several degrees lower than set for
- Some complaints of burning out within a few weeks
Why We Liked This Heater
This aquarium heater is completely shatterproof, and will not overheat, thanks to the integrated thermal protection circuitry that shuts it down before overheating can take place.
It is ideal for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, and can also be used for terrariums.
4. Uniclife 200W Submersible Heater
- Ideal for 25-50 gallons fish tanks, can be installed in both fresh and saltwater.
The Uniclife 200W submersible aquarium heater perfect for 55 gallons comes with a one-year replacement warranty against explosions.
It is easy to adjust and maintains temperatures ranging from 61°F to 90°F, making it ideal for fish in saltwater or freshwater. The thermometer is practical and easy to use, and paper thin.
Pros
- Suitable for tanks up to 52 gallons
- Easy to use by a color indication
- Keeps tank at a steady temperature, even on cold days
Cons
- Bulky construction
- Doesn’t sit flat
- Not always an accurate reading
Why We Liked This Heater
This aquarium heater is going to ensure that the water inside your tank stays at the proper temperature, for both tropical and saltwater fish, as well as other living organisms.
his heater is made from thick quartz glass, making it extremely durable and explosion proof.
5. Finnex Electronic Controller Aquarium Heater
The Finnex Electronic Controller aquarium heater is made with titanium tubing that is virtually indestructible. It also has a heater guard that helps to maintain the correct temperature to ± 2° at all times.
Suction cups for easy attachment are included.
Pros
- Virtually indestructible, totally submersible
- LED heating indicator makes it easy to read
- Titanium heating element won’t shatter
Cons
- Temperatures tend to fluctuate
- Contacts stick so the heat stays on and gets too hot
- Problems with wiring
Why We Liked It
This aquarium heater can be used for saltwater and freshwater aquariums, and the tubes are easy to hide because they are so small, so they won’t stick out like a sore thumb.
The titanium heating element is encased by protective materials so there will not be any risk of electrical shock or damage to other equipment.
Final Thoughts On Aquarium Heaters
Having an aquarium can be loads of fun. But, if you don’t have the right heater in the aquarium, your fish aren’t going to be alive for very long.
Make sure that you buy a heater that is going to work for the size of the aquarium (some are specifically designed for larger tanks), and that it is not only accurate but easy to use.
It should be made of durable materials so it is shatterproof and be completely submersible. It should also be small and unobtrusive, so all you see are the fish and decorations and not your gear.
Our best aquarium heater will definitely be the Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater. This is one of the few heaters that don’t corrode which makes it ideal for saltwater and freshwater aquariums.
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