Monday, July 24, 2023

Choosing the Right Aquarium Heater - An Expert Guide

Marble Angelfish in Freshwater Aquarium
Photo by Josephina Kolpachnikof on Unsplash

Aquarium fish require a suitable habitat that mimics their natural environment to thrive. Having over 20 years of experience in the aquarium fish keeping hobby, I have learned that one of the best ways to provide a suitable habitat is by ensuring that their aquarium has stable temperatures. Most fish survive in an environment where temperatures range between 74°F and 80°F.

Using an aquarium heater for the size and dimensions of the aquarium, is the best way to ensure these stable temperatures. Here is the submersible heater that we recommend based on our many years of experience using different types of heaters.

hygger Variable Frequency Titanium Heater

For medium and larger sized aquariums, the hygger Variable Frequency Titanium Heater is the best overall heater for its price and performance. This heater has titanium heating elements that are contained inside a protective plastic casing. This allows for providing the best heating capabilities while protecting the inhabitants of the aquarium. Other titanium heaters I have used have experienced problems with the plastic case starting to melt. This heater has not had the same issue.


The built in thermostat of the hygger Variable Frequency Titanium Heater allows for continual measurement of water temperatures and the heater is programmed to shut off when the water reaches the temperature that the heater is set to. I have found that this heater does an excellent job at keeping the water temperature at what I set it to. It has a digital LED display that provides a quick and accurate reading of the water temperature. It also features a dual sensor mode and auto power off if exposed to air.

For aquariums that are 30 gallons or smaller, the hygger Variable Frequency Titanium Heater is more than what is needed. hyggar has other smaller heaters that will be better suited for smaller aquariums.

Over the years of keeping different types of aquarium fish in various sized tanks, we have learned to look for certain things when selecting a heater. Here are a few factors to consider when choosing the best heater for your aquarium.

The type of aquarium heater

The first step to choosing the right aquarium involves knowing the differences between the various heater types and determining which is best for your aquarium. Here are the most common aquarium heaters:

Inline aquarium heater: The inline aquarium heater is one of the most efficient heaters for an aquarium. You can attach this heater to the tank’s filter, which will ensure water heats as you pump in.

Submersible heater: This heater requires a complete submerge into the aquarium. You need to mount it to the back of the aquarium vertically or horizontally.

Hang-on heater: This is the least efficient aquarium heater and is partially submersible. However, it will offer small tanks adequate heating. If you have a larger aquarium, use two or more hang-on heaters.

These different aquarium heaters can be made from titanium, plastic, or glass. A titanium aquarium heater has more power compared to plastic or glass heaters, making them best for aquariums of over 250 gallons.

On the other hand, the plastic heater is more durable as it will not crack or shatter like titanium heaters. The glass heater is the most affordable one.

The size of the aquarium heater

The water volume of your fish tank will impact the size of the aquarium heater you should get. The general rule requires five watts of heat per gallon of water. The 5 watts per 1 gallon ensures the aquarium water is 10° more than the room temperature.

It means that for a 10-gallon fish tank, you should provide a 50 watts heater. If you have a 20-gallon tank, the recommended heater is a 100-watt heater. For a 75-gallon tank, consider three 100 watts heaters. Also, use a secure lid to bar against evaporative cooling.

Your home's location is another factor that should impact the aquarium heater's size. If you live in a cold area of 65 °F, you must increase the water temperature by 15°. You can also consider getting two heaters. Furthermore, if you house the fish tank in a cooler section of your home, such as near a window or basement, adjust the heater and upgrade to the next highest watts.

The placement of the heater

As stated above, there are different kinds of aquarium heaters. The best you can consider for your aquarium is the submersible heater compared to the partially submersible one. The submersible heater will give you placement freedom and offer heat in the entire aquarium because of the water current. 

If you opt for a submersible fish tank heater, place it next to the filter. On the other hand, if you choose a partially submersible aquarium heater, place an air stone under the heater to ensure that cool water draws near the heat source.

The features of the heater

A heater's features should also be essential to your buying decision. For instance, a smart aquarium heater will ensure steady and precise temperature control. Other features you can look into include the digital display, design, heater guard, and adjustable temperature feature.

Make sure to go for a high-quality heater, as the higher the quality, the longer it will last. Also, note that buying the wrong heater or a poor quality one can put your fish at risk. A low-quality heater risks overheating, cracking, shutting down, and breaking down. Therefore, check the features of your heater well. An exceptional heater will have a guard that protects your fish.

Your budget

Heaters are essential in providing a suitable environment for your fish to thrive. Therefore, do not go for cheap heaters with poor quality. Your primary goal should be to buy the best heater in the market.

Be sure to invest in a quality aquarium heater, no matter the cost. You can research to find the best fish tank heaters in the market within your budget requirements.

Bottom Line

Choosing a heater for your aquarium is not a straightforward process. It requires you to conduct research, as the research will ensure that you buy the best heater in the market and provide your fish with the best environment for survival.


Sunday, November 13, 2016

The Controversy of Hybrids in the Hobby

Hello Finatics! Today I write to you about a subject that has had some controversy among many hobbyists and especially those who keep African cichlids. One of the most popular species of African cichlid found throughout the hobby is the OB Peacock. This species can be found in a wide range of colors and patterns, and each looks as amazing as the other. Their color patterns are their trademark that make them so popular in the hobby.

I was talking to one of the owners of a local fish store and when I asked them what fish they sold the most, her reply was “OB Peacocks”. She said “they can’t hold on to them whenever they get a new stock of them.” Just as she was telling me that we noticed a customer purchasing some fish and in their bag was an OB Peacock.

My reason for making specific reference to OB Peacocks and their popularity is to highlight the fact that these popular fish are actually not found anywhere in the wild. OB Peacocks are hybrids. They we made by a breeder who crossed a male species of Aulonocara with a female OB Mbuna. Now you’re probably wondering why does that matter?

The Controversy of Hybrids


Hybrids have been a very controversial topic among those who keep African cichlids (or any other cichlids). Those who have often be referred to as purists believe that hybrids dilute the quality of stock being sold in the hobby. The argument is that people will crossbreed species and create their own hybrid species. Then they take them to their local fish store where they could be sold under a wrong name because they are hybrids and get incorrectly identified in the store. This scenario is definitely a bad one and something I don’t support.

The purists in the hobby will suggest that all hybrids are bad, and you will even see suggestions of terminating any hybrid offspring. Such suggestions are something that I do not support. While I do think that hybrid species shouldn’t be taken to local fish stores and made available to others without identifying what they are, terminating the offspring is not a good solution. Like the OB Peacock, every species is beautiful, and terminating a perfectly healthy species of fish should never be considered for any reason, especially because it is a hybrid.

Adaptive Radiation


There is a speciation mechanism that Darwin studied when he was studying evolution. It is called Adaptive Radiation, and is a type of evolution of species clusters that live in an isolated area where they have overlapping habitats or territories, and compete for food. The finches of the Galapagos are one example and another good example is the cichlids of the African rift lakes.

Scientists believe that through adaptive radiation over the span of millions of years, a small group of cichlids originally introduced into Lake Victoria from the Nile River, have evolved into 1,500 or more species that inhabit the lakes today. Even today there are areas of Lake Victoria that have not been explored, so many new species of cichlid could discovered.

I mention the concept of adaptive radiation because I want to point out that hybridization is naturally occurring in the lakes where these fish live. African cichlids represent a group of fish that have adapted and evolved over millions of years and will continue to do so because of the geographic characteristics of where they live.

It Looks Like a Tangerine Tiger


A little over a year ago I purchased a male Taiwan Reef cichlid and a female Red Empress (when no female Taiwans were available). I chose the species that I felt were the most closely related with the anticipation that they could create a hybrid. I ended up anticipating correctly and the result was a very beautiful looking crossbreed. The male offspring has some traits of the Red Empress, but seems to have much more of the Taiwan Reef. I am fortunate to know a local breeder who owns a farm, and I took one of the males down there for him to see. His reaction to seeing it was “it looks like a Tangerine Tiger.”

Is my hybrid a Tangerine Tiger? It could very well be! Who’s to say that the same thing didn’t happen in the lakes and create the species we hobbyists know as the Tangerine Tiger? Every time I see mine in my aquarium, I think to myself “it’s a Tangerine Tiger”.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Let's start with.....Goldfish!

Every kid loves goldfish, and I’m not just talking about crackers!  What kids hasn’t had at least one gold fish in there life?  Okay, mine.  We were way past the goldfish stage when the kids came along so they skipped that and went straight to catfish, mollies, gourami and cichlid fish.  But seriously, most people have attempted ownership of a gold fish or two throughout their lives.  Kids get them at parties and school carnivals.  They use them to ask others out on dates.  College students get goldfish, because they usually can’t have other animals in the dorms or apartments.  So the question is how do you properly care for a gold fish without having a funeral around the toilet within a few weeks or months?

The first step is to get a decent size tank.  Remember goldfish can actually grow to be 10-12 inches.  Keeping them in a small tank can contribute to a short life span due to ammonia build up.  Ideally a goldfish should be in a 10-20 gallon tank. A tank with a filter is best for keeping goldfish happy and healthy. They do not require a heater or light, even though most people prefer to have a light.  If you opt for a lighted tank, remember fluorescent is best and only run the light for 8-12 hours a day.

Second.  Use either large rocks or small gravel that has been properly cleaned before use (soak in water for a day).

Third.  Invest in some scenery like plants or a rock/wood centerpiece.  The centerpiece gives the fish a place to explore, but be careful they aren’t hallow or you could get harmful bacteria growing there.  Note on plants: artificial plants are fine, but actual red plants help absorb some of the ammonia, nitrites etc that accumulate naturally in your tank.

Fourth.  Before you add your fish, you need to make sure you have the proper water conditions for your fish.  Never use regular tap water only.  Buy a water conditioner/dechlorinator drops  at a pet store and put in the amount it says on the label.   Also, you need to make sure you have the proper ammonia and nitrate levels.  You can pick up a pH test kit to make sure you have the proper levels.  The ideal pH range is between 6-8.5  You want zero ammonia, zero nitrite and less then 20 nitrate in the end.  Once you have reached these levels you are ready to add your fish!

Keep water temperature between 50-75.  70-74 is ideal.  But fish like seasonal changes in their water, just like we have seasons.  So adjust the temperature with the seasons (especially if you want little goldfish babies!).  There are many good thermometers that make this easy to monitor.  There are cheap ones that stick on the outside of the tank and ones that hang on the inside.  It’s really personal preference on what you get.

Fifth.  Add your fish.  Remember goldfish are known to eat other, small fish and can overeat, keeping food from peers, so try and keep fish of the same size in the tank.  If you have a small bowl, it is best to stick to one fish.  If you have a 10-20 gallon tank, 2-3 fish is ideal.   If the fish is still in a bag.  Place the bag with the fish in it, in the bowl/tank to allow the water temperature to come to the same temperature, before transferring the fish.

Sixth.  Feeding your fish.  Feed your fish 1-2 times daily.  Be careful not to overfeed them.   A good rule of thumb is to only feed them what they can eat in two-three minute.  Goldfish can easily overeat and die.  Various forms of goldfish food should be used to keep the fish happy.  Try a rotation of flakes, pellets, wafers, sticks, animals and plants.

Seventh.  Sleep.  Fish need sleep too.  Remember to turn off the light and let them “sleep”.  Gold fish don’t have eyelids and don’t really stop swimming, but they sort of hibernate/reduce activity.

Eighth.  Maintenance.  Ever heard the store of the fish who lived forever in the dirtiest tank and then the day after you cleaned the tank it died?  Yep, I’m guilty.  I killed the fish by doing a 100% water change.  Remember the hard work to get your pH levels correct.  If you start with 100% fresh water you need to start that pH cycle over before adding your fish back in, so to save the hassell only do a 50-75% water change.    Note, you do want to continue to test for proper pH levels to ensure happy and healthy fish, but doing only partial water changes helps maintain levels without starting over.

Note: soap is poisonous to fish and will kill them quickly, so don’t use soap to wash your tank.  (Also, don’t use a regular sponge - VERY VERY bad idea - we learned the hard way)
 And whatever you do, don’t forget to clean the gravel (a gravel vacuum works great!)

Maintenance should be done at least once every week, even if it looks clean.  If you are using a small bowl, you may need to do it daily to keep the fish healthy and happy.

Ninth.  Know potential problem and fix them when they occur.
- If you notice the fish hanging out at the top of the tank, they may be lacking oxygen so check the oxygen levels.
- If the tank looks cloudy, clean it.  There could be an algae, bacteria or even decaying plant problem if you have live fish.
- Watch for ich and flukes.  Ich is a common goldfish disease where little white spots form on the fish.  Flukes will cause the fish to scratch against surfaces, develop an outer mucus, redden slightly and possibly get a swollen belly.  If these diseases present themselves.  Quarantine the fish and treat with medicine that can be bought at the pet store.
- Swimbladder and constipation.  If the fish is swimming on it’s side or upside down it could have constipation or swimbladder.  Swimbladder does not have a cure, but constipation can be fixed by adding green to it’s diet!




Saturday, January 2, 2016

The Surprising Benefits of Aquariums in the Office

Pets, such as dog and cats, offer great companionship and pet owners are happier. However, these types of pets can be a big responsibility. You can achieve a similar result with fish without the added stress of cleaning up after them. Experts report that health benefits of aquariums promote wellness such as lowering high blood pressure, and reducing stress and anxieties.

Fish in the Workplace


Going to a public aquarium is a great family pastime, but bringing fish into the workplace may help extend your life. Too much stress can cause the body to break down and possibly cause death. Research has shown that having aquariums in a work environment reduces stress and promotes emotional well being.

Alzheimer's and Fish Watching


Watching aquarium fish just might be what the doctor ordered. It's reported that patients with Alzheimer's have a healthier appetite. Additionally, research shows there is a tendency to display less aggression when an aquarium is in the room. There seems to be benefits with aquariums with no fish also but, when fish are present the benefits seem to increase.

Experts at Purdue University conducted a study on aquariums and Alzheimer patients. Their finding leads them to believe that the colors and the movement of the fish may have a calming effect and help with mood swings as well. In addition, it's believed that having an aquarium encourages the return of nurturing feelings to the residents of nursing homes because caring for the fish gives meaning and purpose.

Aquarium Therapy


Another of the benefits of aquariums is the calming effect that people experience when watching fish. Seen more so in dentist and pediatrician offices, patients appeared calmer while they waited to be seen. Watching the fish or just the seaweed and lights is believed to reduce fear and anger associated with health concerns. For this reason, there appears to be a rise in the number of aquariums placed in these types of work and health environments.

Size Doesn't Matter


Although larger fish tanks offer a larger viewpoint, a medium aquarium yields the same health benefits.

Fish at Home versus at Work


It's estimated that more people own fish than any other type of pet. Although keeping fish is low maintenance compared to having to clean up behind a dog or cat, it does require the right equipment and a little know how. At work or home, the environment for your fish need to be waste-free and kept at the right chemical balance. Certain fish require particular lighting and temperature. Knowing how to maintain the proper living environment is critical to the fish's survival.

In addition to aquariums in the office providing an awesome way to improve patients and employees' mood, watching fish swim about in their serene environment adds to the office decor. Businesses are aware that appearance is everything and how the office looks can send a positive message about the business. Having an aquarium has so much to offer and requires minimal upkeep. The cost to feed and maintain the fish is small in comparison to what is gained.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Top Twenty-Five Aquariums

TripAdvisor recently released their 2015 Traverlers' Choice Lists.  One of the included categories is aquariums.  The Top 25 Us Aquariums are as follows:

1 - Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, Georgia)
2 - Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey, California)
3 - Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
4 - Tennesse Aquarium (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
5 - Mote Marine Laboratory and Aqurium (Sarasota, Florida)
6 - Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, Illinois)
7 - National Aquarium, Baltimore (Baltimore, Maryland)
8 - Dallas World Aquarium (Dallas Texas)
9 - Alaska SeaLife Center (Seward, Alaska)
10 - Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters (Marathon, Florida)
11 - Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, California)
12 - North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (Pine Knolls Shores, North Carolina)
13 - Maui Ocean Center (Wailuku, Hawaii)
14 - Florida Aquarium (Tampa, Florida)
15 - Oregon Coast Aquarium (Newport, Oregon)
16 - North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (Kure Beach, North Carolina)
17 - Birch Aquarium at Scripps (La Jolla California)
18 - Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Clearwater, Florida)
19 - North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island (Manteo, North Carolina)
20 - The Maritime Aquarium (Norwalk, Connecticut)
21 - Ocean World (Crescent City, California)
22 - Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
23 - New England Aquarium (Boston, Massachusetts)
24 - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (Tacoma, Washington)
25 - Ripley's Aquarium (Myrtle Beach,  South Carolina)

Do you agree with their list?  What aquarium would you like to see on their list next year?  Many of these aquariums also made their list for the Top 25 Aquariums in the World:
1 - Oceanarioa de Lisboa (Lisbon, Portugal)
2 - Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, Georgia)
3 - Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey, California)
4 - Oceanografic (Valencia, Spain)
5 - Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
6 - Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (Toronto, Ontario)
7 - Aquaworld Aquarium & reptile Rescue Centre (Hersonissos, Greece)
8 - Tennessee Aquarium (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
9 - Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (Motobu-cho, Japan)
10 - Vancouver Aquarium (Vancouver, British Columbia)
11 - Mundomar (Benidorm, Spain)
12 - S.E.A. Aquarium (Sentosa Island, Singapore)
13 - Genoa Aquarium (Genoa, Italy)
14 - Parque Explora (Medellin, Columbia)
15 - Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquaruim (Sarasota, Florida)
16 - Two Oceans Aquarium (Cape Town Central, South Africa)
17 - Aquario Vasco da Gama (Lisbon, Portugal)
18 - Shedd Aquarium (Chicago, Illinois)
19 - National Aquarium, Baltimore (Baltimore, Maryland)
20 - Dallas World Aquarium (Dallas, Texas)
21 - Aquarium La Rochelle (La Rochelle, France)
22 - Voronezh Oceanarium (Voronezh, Russia)
23 - Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos (Heraklion, Greece)
24 - Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
25 - Marine Habitat at Atlantis (Paradise Island, New Providence Island)

I know my bucket list just got a little longer with a few new destinations to travel too!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Welcome to the Aquarium Finatics Blog!

Discus cichlids in a home aquarium
If you are “finatic” about aquariums, then you have found the right blog! The Aquarium Finatics blog is the place to find out about everything that is happening in the aquarium fish hobby. Subscribe to our blog to get information on public aquarium promotions, new features and exhibits, or find out about new baby animals being welcomed into an aquarium close to you.

You can also read our reviews on aquarium supplies, tips on keeping various aquatic animals and fun reviews on shows we watched or aquariums that we visited.

We have aquarium fish “finatics” in our families going back several generations. If there is anything that relates to public or home aquariums, you will be able to read about it on our blog!

Now just sit back, relax and enjoy this video from the Georgia Aquarium.