When getting our fish tanks set up we often need to think about the style of the tank. The setup we would like and while thinking on these questions what type of heater is going to pop up.
Especially when dealing with tropical fish one such question would be
Can Aquarium Heaters be fully Submerged?
Not all heaters can be submerged for this you need one made of glass that’s slightly rounded with suction cups at the top and bottom and a minimum water line in black near the top meaning submersible.
Easy Way Of Decerning Different Heaters
This is the easiest way of telling heaters apart. Plus heaters that come with a bracket and or a clip that attaches to the rim of the tank are by definition hang on the back heaters.
Also, all heaters come with a code on them that you can double-check with the manufacturer if you lose instructions or are brought second-hand.
Not All Heaters Are Submergible
This is true most are these days but you can get hung on the back heaters. As explained briefly above these heaters have clips or a bracket and hang on the back of the tank itself. Allowing some of the heaters into but not all into the water.
Never Submerge A Hang On The Back Heater (HOTBH)
They must however never be fully submerged. Because of this, there are fewer places you can put them and they are typically not as efficient at keeping water temperature even throughout the tank.
Inline Heaters & Filter Heaters
You may also get inline filter heaters. These are usually accessible via the filter along an external pipe these are external heaters. That requires a water pump to pass the water through the tube and out the filter.
Substrate Heaters
Also, substrate heaters and or heat mats are placed under the gravel sand or other substrate. some mats that can heat from under the tank itself.
Sump Heaters
Although again not as efficient and there’s the sump heater. This is a submersible heater but it is located in an external tank where the waters warmed. Then filtered through to your tank a bit pricey for our liking.
How to Recognise a Submergible Heater
Usually rounded very lightweight glass tube. With plastic at the top and bottom. Suction cups at either end and a minimum water line near the top.
Check For Waterline: Aquarium Heater Minimum Water Level
Can aquarium heaters be fully submerged if you have a waterline that indicates where the minimum level of water needs to be submerged then you are ok.
This lets you know that this heater can be fully submerged. When you look at the heater you should have a knob at the top. The bottom is slightly curved the waterline will be around an inch from the top.
Safely Submerge
Where the switch/knob is and should say min in black. this means it needs to be placed at least this far into the water so you now know it’s safe to be fully submerged.
There should also be a code written on the heater that you can check with the manufacturer and of course instructions.
How Do Submerged heaters work?
The heater has a glass tube with a heating element. Some ceramic insert with sand at the bottom. Inside the glass will be a thermostat to adjust for temperature.
Two Metal Strips Heat The Water
Connected to the thermostat and the element is a strip of two metals. These metals heat at different rates and as the heat rises the metals expand and bend the strip.
The strip bends the current/electricity stops once the strip has bent to the desired temperature.
Light Lets You Know The Heaters Working
The metals will cool down and the strip will straighten. The process can begin again. Also, these days within the strip of metals is also a chip. With a light that lets, you know all is working clever stuff.
Are Submergible Heaters Better
Yes, I think Submergible heaters are the way to go. Here’s why. All aquarium heaters use the same basic method of heating the water. Via an element coil and strip with those two metals that form an electrical current.
Heating Element Outside The Water
Heat up and bend the strip if the element is outside of water it will explode. Even hanging on the back and sump heaters have water pushed through them at all times.
Heat Water Evenly
Also having the luxury of placing anywhere within the water. Gives you the ideal way of heating the water evenly and efficiently usually near the bottom of the tank as heat will rise all through the water.
Do all Manufacturers Have Submergible?
Yes, all makes of heaters will have some model of the submersible heater. In fact, most heaters on the market today will probably be submersible. They’re more efficient and cheaper and give the user more options as to placement etc.
Where to Place Heater Under Water
Ideally, you would place it in line with the flow of water around the tank. Near the filter, the water is heated straight away as it enters the filter. Near the bottom of the tank if possible but not touching any other glass or substrate.
Why at the bottom of the tank? Well, heat rises so we need to make sure the lower half gets the heat continuously. The upper half will get the heat as it rises through the water.
Minimum Water Level Heater Out of Water
The heater needs to be fully under the water. All the heater’s element heating system needs to be covered with water this includes all types of heaters.
Believe it or not, it’s the water protecting the heater’s elements. If these are outside the water while on it’s liable to shatter overheat and explode all at once.
Can Submergeable Heaters Touch Glass Tanks
Can aquarium heaters be fully submerged and touch the glass of the tank?
No, It’s not recommended at all as the glass will overheat and shatter. break the heating element also the water would probably start overheating within the tank.
Even if you are lucky and the heater doesn’t break. the water temperature seems fine you’re definitely shortening the lifespan of the heater.
Can Heaters Touch Substrate
This is also not advisable. As the substrate heats up it will cause the elements in the heater to overheat and crack the glass surrounding the heaters element.
Also, there’s a good chance of moisture finding its way in and damaging the heater. Causing electrical shortages and or fire issues.
Prolonged use while touching the substrate can cause hot spots in the water which can harm your fish.
Can Fish Be Harmed by the heater being in the water?
Yes, heaters are well designed to heat the water and do indeed get fairly hot. This can cause what’s termed fish burn moreover if a fish were to get trapped behind a heater it could burn to death.
Fish love hiding behind things. Including heaters filters etc even if the fish is happy they tend to have hiding places. It’s natural and nothing to worry about.
So the best thing to do is simply leave plenty of room around the heater. Also, get yourself a heater cover/guard typically made of plastic. Perfectly fine for fish this cover/guard simply slides over the heater. Protecting the fish the guard/cover has lots of little holes so still able to heat the water properly everyone is happy.
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