If my tank is already set up, do i need to stress out fish by getting the warmer under the gravel, or can i leave it on the inside bottom of the tank?
1675128
It doesn't need to go under the gravel but it is an eyesore if it isn't. Be careful if you do disturb your substrate depending on the size of your tank and the stocking levels it can give off a lot of ammonia.
1675129
You can leave it on the bottom-but a few moments of shuffling and shoving substrate around would be forgiven as the water gets nice and warm(ish.) I have two of these; one under the gravel in a betta bowl and another hot-glued to the glass of a 2.5 gallon holding tank.
1675130
Beware of your tank size. I use it at a 1.5Gal bowl under the gravel, room temp is 59F, with this heater, it heats up the water to 72F.
2256196
This one should work so long as you keep it at one end of the tank so that there is a gradient (warm under the light; cool under the opposite side without the light).
608763
When I used to have it (upgraded to a large tank so I don't have it anymore), it didn't get the bowl warm at all, just the water inside the bowl. Also I'm pretty sure the instructions said it must be fully submerged in water for use. If you want the one outside try checking out the reptile heating pads, those can be on outside.
992113
Hello RaeRae, You answer is not so simple. The capacity of a heater not only depends on the heater itself, but the original temperature of the medium. Even though this is rated for a larger tank than you are asking about, if the place the tank will be in much colder than average is may be a good choice. If your water starts at 65 degrees, and you want it at 78, this may work for you. If you start at 72, this may get the water hotter than you want. Another aspect to consider is how much water movement you have in your tank. The more water movement, the better the heat will be distributed, and the water will be closer to the thermo's temp setting. I agree with JR, I have not seen any for that small of a size. You could look at reptile heating accessories that afix to the outside of the tank, it would be a hack though.
214665
i put mine inside the tank at the bottom and against the back of tank , its made to under water its beautiful at night and day also , use little suction cups to put wires up the back of tank the plug is not allowed in water just the unit and the plug wire that runs ;up the back of tank , u will need probably and extra plug outlet for the unit bubbles need a pump to have bubbles up the back of tank
1794041
Should be fine but be careful not to bury it in sand/gravel as you would in an aquatic tank. The bulb on this unit is at the base and if you bury it in your substrate too deep you won't get an accurate measurement of the air temperature which is what you want. You would probably be better off getting a thermometer that can be mounted or suspended off the ground.
2268660
I use a foot-long bubble stone bar at the back of the tank, and the fish love it. They play in it all the time. As for the lights, they have a covering over them, but it is not a total enclosure (I think the lights would get too hot and burn out faster if they were TOTALLY enclosed.) But you can get light cheap at WalMart, etc. I just keep some on hand. The main problem is the "barnacles" that can accumulate on the covering over the lights, but if you're good about wiping them off every week or so, it's not an issue, and will keep the lighting in the tank bright.
1291036
Hi Kathy, This a great tank but it runs HOT. When I first set up the tank the temp was 82 F. This is too hot for fish. I added a Coralife chiller ($500) and now the temp can be controlled at 78 F. This is the only drawback I have found with the system. I have two power heads to improve circulation and the fish (1 clown and 1 coral beauty) seem to enjoy the extra current. I purchased my rock and substrate from Tampa Bay Salt Water (liverock@tbsaltwater.com). They use their web site for all correspondence and their product and support is first rate. I hope this helps in your decision process. Hi Kathy, This a great tank but it runs HOT. When I first set up the tank the temp was 82 F. This is too hot for fish. I added a Coralife chiller ($500) and now the temp can be controlled at 78 F. This is the only drawback I have found with the system. I have two power heads to improve circulation and the fish (1 clown and 1 coral beauty) seem to enjoy the extra current. I purchased my rock and substrate from Tampa Bay Salt Water (liverock@tbsaltwater.com). They use their web site for all correspondence and their product and support is first rate. I hope this helps in your decision... » Read More Hi Kathy, This a great tank but it runs HOT. When I first set up the tank the temp was 82 F. This is too hot for fish. I added a Coralife chiller ($500) and now the temp can be controlled at 78 F. This is the only drawback I have found with the system. I have two power heads to improve circulation and the fish (1 clown and 1 coral beauty) seem to enjoy the extra current. I purchased my rock and substrate from Tampa Bay Salt Water (liverock@tbsaltwater.com). They use their web site for all correspondence and their product and support is first rate. I hope this helps in your decision process. « Show Less
766739
The heater I have is in a plastic pond (200 gal.). The suction cups wouldn't work due to the slimy sides, so I just dropped it in. Works great. If your tank is glass, you should have no worries. I've had our heater for 2 years now and it still works like new.
43938
No because a heater would make the water too hot since it is a 1 gallon tank. The fish would be unhealthy.
1860679
It depends on what you are using it for. I like the rock better for my situation. I can adjust the temperature of this so that it does not burn my snake. But a under the tank style heater is not a bad option. You will just have to make sure that the heat can make it up through the substrate (ground) you have in the tank. Basically it is all preference.
1970542
It must be placed on top of a glass or plexiglass cover next to the led light. It cannot be used if the fish tank already has a lid cover with the light attached inside.
2177338
I have a similar heater. It hangs in the back compartment, no problem. There is no place for it to go. I've had it set up like that for a over a month with no problems. The temp is constant. I wouldn't worry about. Enjoy! The whole family loves the aquarium.
473615
Diagonal might be better since the package says not to, but I think that someone called the company and found out they have the warning because of some country to country issue or something. If you had it totally horizontal towards the top it should have no problem, but at the bottom it may be more risky because more of the cord is in the tank. If you are worried about the visibility of this heater in smaller tanks, it is easy to hide (you just sometimes see the heater light at night). I have a few of these in my 5g tanks and they are easy to hide with the filter. But if you are worried about the heat not being even, this heater is really only meant for the smaller tanks so it really isn't a problem (unless it breaks on you). I think the highest it can go to is 10g, but for my 10g tanks I got the same brand's 200w version since it was cheaper than the 100w. It heats the tank quicker and I removed my fish since I didn't want to stress them out too much, then acclimated them before putting them back in the tank.
1596626
It stays on all the time, so you need to be careful when the weather gets warmer or you have some warm days in the middle of the winter. be sure to buy a thermometer. I use the little flat ones for my one and a half gallon vase that I kept my beta in. If it starts getting too warm, just pull the plug. I had my beta for almost 2 years, but got busy and didn't pay any attention to him for several weeks except to put some food in his bowl.I later found out he had passed away, and I remembered it had gotten warmer, so it had probably gotten too warm for him. actually, this is a really great heater. If its really cold, you may need two. Just pay attention to the temperature everyday when you feed your fish It stays on all the time, so you need to be careful when the weather gets warmer or you have some warm days in the middle of the winter. be sure to buy a thermometer. I use the little flat ones for my one and a half gallon vase that I kept my beta in. If it starts getting too warm, just pull the plug. I had my beta for almost 2 years, but got busy and didn't pay any attention to him for several weeks except to put some food in his bowl.I later found out he had passed away, and I remembered it had gotten warmer, so it had probably gotten too warm for him. actually, this is a really great... » Read More It stays on all the time, so you need to be careful when the weather gets warmer or you have some warm days in the middle of the winter. be sure to buy a thermometer. I use the little flat ones for my one and a half gallon vase that I kept my beta in. If it starts getting too warm, just pull the plug. I had my beta for almost 2 years, but got busy and didn't pay any attention to him for several weeks except to put some food in his bowl.I later found out he had passed away, and I remembered it had gotten warmer, so it had probably gotten too warm for him. actually, this is a really great heater. If its really cold, you may need two. Just pay attention to the temperature everyday when you feed your fish « Show Less
1730567
I would stay with the smaller heating pad cause they need cool space as well plus its really the lights you use that should keep the temperature of the tank to be over 75f.....not the heating pad (this is for when they are cool and want a place to warm up) I would check the watt of the day light u are using and maybe use a 75w or a 100w day light for reptiles and use the same watt for the night light(red light)
1454862
I don't like slowing down water flow in the tank. The heater should be kept in the main body of the tank. It works best there.