[houseofcards]

In an effort to keep equipment out of the tank, I'm curious if anyone has ever tried one of the reptiles heaters that are placed under the aquarium.

Something like this:

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi Jeff,
I looked at those for my 6 gallon Eclipse that I set up a month or so ago but I was concerned that the low wattage wouldn't be able to hold the temperature when we turn the heat down at night. What size tank are you setting up?

 

[taoyeah]

i am using 1 of this for my sulcata tortoise.but you cannot adjust the temp.

 

[houseofcards]

Hi Jeff,
I looked at those for my 6 gallon Eclipse that I set up a month or so ago but I was concerned that the low wattage wouldn't be able to hold the temperature when we turn the heat down at night. What size tank are you setting up?

Hey Roy, it's actually for a Mini S (~3.5gal). I've had a couple of setups without a heater, but it's getting pretty cold at night now.

The reptile heater could work if it raises the temp a few degrees.

 

[Seattle_Aquarist]

Hi Jeff,

Here is another option I was looking at: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-43310-8196-0/2?mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2F10W-Shatterproof-Mini-Nano-Aquarium-Heater-Marineland_W0QQitemZ290269677305QQcmdZViewItem

I thought I would maybe hide it in the substrate along the back wall of the tank or in the filter. I liked it because it had a thermostat.

 

[Sunstar]

I have. works well enough to keep the chill off a bit.

I also use a hydor heater, but I have it set on a 24 hour timer to go on and off at intervals to keep it at a sort of temperature that doesn't involve boiling my fish. I monitor it with a digital thermometer

 

[Scouter]

I use a little heater with a preset temp of like 75ish. Its not incredibly accurate, but it does keep the temp up enough for the fish and plants to be comfortable. I keep it in my filter so it stays out of sight. And it was only 6 bucks or so at Walmart-although I'm ashamed to admit I actually bought it from one!
Scouter

 

[dymndgyrl]

I have a very old 5 gal tank that has a slate bottom (very old) and is also up on little legs so there is a space underneath. I'm using a reptile heater under the tank and I have it set up with a Zoomed thermostat :

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016+11148+6544&pcatid=6544

It's not really a thermostat, though, it just allows you to turn the heater up or down.
It seems to be working fine. It holds my tank at 72-75 when my house gets down to 62 at night. I will probably have to turn it off in the summer, though.

I think these heaters are not recommended for glass bottom tanks though, because of the weight that will be sitting on them (unless you have the kind of stand that just supports the rim and has a gap or opening under the rest of the tank.

I also think that the slate bottom of my tank radiates the heat nice and even - don't know about glass.

Cheers,
C.

 

[ALIFER]

I have Finnex titanium heater. They are super small & work great, but of course it has to go in the tank. I've heard that using heating pads under the glass can cause cracking.

http://www.finnex.net/itemdetail.php?id=42#

 

[gasteriaphile]

I have a 4 gallon Finnex tank. I also did not want to have a heater hanging in the tank. But it is too cool in the room where I have it. So I have been using a plain old heating pad. I folded a small towel in two and placed the pad inside. Then set the tank on top of the towel. So far no cracking. And by setting the heating pad on low I can keep the temperature inside the aquarium at about 72d F if the room isn't too cold. When the weather gets colder and the room cooler, I put the heater on medium and it does fine. Then later, on medium, it can go up to 76d F which is a bit warm for my tastes. I have one betta in the tank and he seems happy enough. The reptile heating pad is comparable to my idea I think. Actually I hadn't thought about a reptile heater but that is a good idea if it has settings like low, medium and high, just like a heating pad. Hope this helps. Breck

 

[tex627]

in tank adjustable heaters are always the best. if your room temp. is consistant the heater may work very well but i used a reptile heating pad for my 2.5 gallon. it rasied the temp by 10degrees but my room temp. fluctuated so much i was afraid the rapid change in temperature would be bad for my shrimp so i just went back to the ugly in tank adjustable heater.

 

[kimcadmus]

Not sure what you are doing for filtration but if you are using a canister filter and up for a project you could make a diy mini inline heater. A small version of this with or without the CO2 reactor combo.

http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/showpost.php?p=406968&postcount=33