When you decide that you want to have your own tropical fish aquarium, one of the most important things that you need to control for your fish is the temperature of the water. Every species of fish has somewhat different water temperature requirements depending on their natural habitats. Aquarium heaters are a must to be sure that fish tank water temperatures are stable.
Seasonal fluctuations do effect the water temperature of many natural fish habitats, so many fish species do have a degree of tolerance to fluctuations in water temperatures. But with aquarium-raised tropical fish, it is best to use aquarium heaters to keep the temperatures from fluctuating too much.
Aquarium heaters are simple and basic devices that generate heat so that proper water temperatures can be maintained in fish tanks. An aquarium heater is actually comprised of two components: the heating element and the thermostat. The thermostat gives you the ability to control the temperature of the water in the tropical fish tank.
Just like the thermostat in your home, the thermostat on aquarium heaters can be set to pre-determined settings for temperature. When the water temperature dips below the thermostat setting, the heating element will turn on to bring the water back to the temperature zone desired for your tropical aquarium habitat. As the temperature of the water rises, the thermostat will also disengage the heating element when the water reaches the proper temperature.
The most common of aquarium heaters use a long glass tube, similar to the shape of a cigar, to house the heating element and the thermostat. Typically the heating element is located at the bottom area of the tube while the thermostat is placed above and is closer to the surface of the tropical aquarium water.
Aquarium heaters come in a number of different wattage ranges. The wattage of the aquarium heater will determine how much heat can be generated. Of course, this output capacity effects how much aquarium water will be effectively heated, so you must choose the right heater for the size of your tropical fish tank. There are guidelines printed on the packaging to help you choose the right aquarium heater for your situation. For larger tropical aquariums you may need to utilize two or more aquarium heaters.
It is very important to select high quality aquarium heaters because if they malfunction, the water in your tropical fish tank could either overheat or become too cold. Such drastic changes in the temperature of the aquarium environment can create disastrous consequences for the population of tropical fish in your care.
There are now some high-end aquarium heaters that come with manufacturer guarantees that state they will be functional for up to five years when properly used. However, most heating units come with only a one year guarantee, but if they are produced by reputable manufacturers, they are generally of sufficient quality to use in your tropical fish tank. No matter what type of guarantee the aquarium heater manufacturer offers, it should be understood that the guarantee does not cover any loss of fish in your aquarium if the heater fails, but only guarantees replacement of the heater itself.