Aquarium Heaters

One of the little ironies of owning fish is that many people purchase aquariums for their calming effect, yet fish are very easily stressed out (unfortunately there aren't yet any fish psychologists sharing offices with dog psychologists). A stressed fish can quickly become a sick fish, so controlling sources of stress such as excessive temperature change is very important. That's why you need a heater for your aquarium.

Temperamental Immunity When a fish becomes stressed, its immune system stops working properly, making it vulnerable to infections. Because fish are cold-blooded, temperature change is a leading cause of stress in a home aquarium. If the water gets too cold, fish become ill. If too warm, they suffocate. A properly functioning aquarium heater and thermostat are thus essential to maintaining a comfortable and stable temperature for your fish. Watts In or Watts Out An aquarium heater's strength is measured in watts. A good rule of thumb is to purchase an aquarium heater that provides a little over three watts per gallon of water. So if you have a 30-gallon aquarium, you'd need 100 watts or so from your heater.

Most aquarium heaters are placed inside the aquarium, though external heaters that go below the aquarium are also available. Aquarium heaters typically cost between $20 and $50.

It's very important that you not be stingy when buying an aquarium heater. Cheap and unreliable thermostats can cause fluctuations in an aquarium's water temperature, resulting in outbreaks of ich and other diseases in your fish.

Ich-i the Killer
Ich is one of the most common infections that strike aquarium fish. It manifests itself via white spots on the fish's body, and is often accompanied by a loss of appetite, breathing trouble, erratic swimming, and rubbing against other objects.

Temperature change is not the only potential cause of ich, but if you notice an outbreak in your aquarium, there are adhesive strips you can buy and attach to your fish tank that will measure water temperature. If periodic readings vary widely or don't agree with your thermostat, you need to replace your aquarium heater.

An ich infection is not fatal in itself, but left untreated it will compromise a fish's immune system to the point where fatal infections take over. Ich seldom occurs in nature. A breakout in your aquarium will require further treatment, usually with copper-based medications.

That's why learning about proper care and such vitals as heaters are so important. Knowledge gives you the power to make a happy life for your fish - and for you.