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Are you struggling with finding a quality aquarium heater?
In this blog, we share the best products for aquarium heating, from submersible heaters to inline heaters. I also include aquarium controllers in the mix.
With over 25 years of experience in the aquarium hobby, I’ve assisted countless clients, hobbyists, and readers like you in overcoming their heater woes (and believe me, heaters are a headache with how often they fail). I’ve personally tested these products in real world scenarios to determine the best aquarium heater on the market.
The Top Picks
I’m going to discuss multiple types of aquarium heaters at this point. But for those in a hurry, here is a quick view of the top 3 three. The answer may surprise you.
- Japanese Components
- Indestructible Heater Element
- Waterproof Controller
- Great Brand
- Lab Grade Glass
- Fully Submersible
- New Technology
- Ultra Safe
- 5 Year Warranty
The best bang for the buck for those who are only able to purchase a single heater would be the Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater. If you have medium to large setup, I would recommend the Finnex STE or go up to the Helio Heater if you have a lot invested in a tank (e.g. – a reef tank).
The Candidates – A Quick Comparison
There are many aquarium heaters out on the market for various tank size options out there. The list below was handpicked by our years of experience in the hobby and through various client builds. They all have their strengths in particular setups which I will explain below. This post will primarily focus on my aquarium heater reviews for the best fully submersible heater types.
| Picture | Name | Features | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Editor’s Choice |
| Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon | |
Best Value |
| Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon | |
Premium Pick |
| Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon | |
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| Click For Best Price | |
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| Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon | |
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| Buy On ChewyBuy On Amazon | |
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| Buy On AmazonBuy On Petco | |
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| Buy On Amazon | |
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| Buy On Amazon | |
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| Click For Best PriceBuy On Amazon | |
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| Buy On Amazon |
The Best Aquarium Heaters – 11 Best For 2023
Let’s go into the details and see why each fish tank heater made the cut.
1. Finnex STE Titanium Series
Best Aquarium Heater
Finnex has achieved what we as hobbyist have asked for decades. A reliable heater that won't fail. Japanese components. Receives our top recommendation.
I’ll say it now and I’ll say it later in this post, aquarium heaters as a whole are generally prone to failure and highly unreliable. We as hobbyists, have struggled for years waiting for someone in the market to develop a heater that could be reliable and not destroy our bank account in the process. We finally have a player in the market who has finally delivered that reliable heating unit we have been waiting for.
The Finnex team at has developed the holy grail, a Controller with Japanese components and a advanced electronic heater element that rids us of all the nightmares of heater failure. What are the factors that scare us as aquarists with fish tank heaters? They are:
- My heater gets stuck in the on position and fries my tropical fish
- My heater cracks and explodes, which kills my fish
- A large fish smacks my heater and cracks it
- My glass heater is made of cheap glass that breaks over time from the heat stress
The Finnex team gave me the honor of providing me with a free heater so I could put in my friend Ryan’s tank. I have a video about the entire video below from our YouTube channel.
Here is what I love about this heater:
- It’s Japanese made. I know how well Japanese made products are from the team at Tunze and ADA in the aquarium industry
- It is accurate up to 1 degree – which is a benchmark for any heater controller I use
- The dual circuitry built into the controller gives you a controller in a controller. The redundancy you need to prevent any type of overheating from failure
- The controller is waterproof sealed, a step up from the Inkbird controller
- It is ETL rated
While it is only covered by a 1 year warranty compared to a 3 year from BRS (more on them below), the Finnex STE is significantly cheaper and the controller is better making this is an overall best buy. I am and continue to be a fan of the BRS heater, however, the Finnex is more approachable. At its price point, it is more accessible to the general fishkeeping hobby, especially freshwater tanks, which I know is nearly 4 times bigger than the saltwater hobby.
In our review, Ryan and I did notice a problem with the heater. The heater is only designed to be on 30 minutes at a time. Because of this, my typical 3 watt per gallon rule of thumb doesn’t work here. You will need to size up appropriately. In Ryan’s 60 gallon tank, this required us to size up to the 400 watt package in order to achieve a reliable and stable temperature free of temperature fluctuations. Keep this in mind if you have amp concerns with your breaker or your controller if you use an aquarium controller.
This is the heater setup to purchase if you are looking for a top notch heater that is reasonably priced, won’t fail on you, and a heater that your fish can’t break (since the heater element is made of Titanium).
Pros
- Japanese Components
- Excellent controller with easy set temp features
- Titanium heating element
Cons
- 1 year warranty
- The controller doesn’t have a low and high temperature alarm
- It’s expensive compared to other heaters like the Ehiem
Finnex STE Rating
2. Eheim Jager – Old Faithful with Legendary Brand Name
Best Value
Very accurate, durable, and German made. A great value buy for any aquarium
Ah the Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat. They have been around seemingly forever and completely unchanged for ages, and there is a good reason why. It is simply a very well-built and reliable heating unit for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. Quality German-made, UL-listed electronics, and a manually adjustable heater gauge are its main features. The Jager aquarium thermostat heater has an accurate temperature sensor up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit of the desired temperature.
This makes it as accurate as the Cobalt Neo-Therms. It also has the ability to be re-calibrated! I has a thermo safety control which automatically shuts off the heater in the event that the tank runs low on water. The indicator light is also easy to see so you know when its working.
Because it is it a quality manufactured heater, it simply hasn’t been updated in years and looks the part. It is a big and bulky glass tube, it uses old school lab-grade glass, and the adjustable dial itself is cumbersome. However, Eheim’s legendary name brand is behind it and anyone who has been in the aquarium industry knows the great quality and durability that Eheim manufactured products bring. It’s ugly looking and big, but you won’t be disappointed using this as your fish tank heater.
Pros
- German-made and Eheim name
- Accurate up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit of set temperature
- Can be re-calibrated
Cons
- Big and bulky submersible heaters
- Old school lab-grade glass design
- The water temp dial is a bit clunky
Eheim Jager Rating
3. Innovative Marine Helio
The Helio heater by Innovative Marine offers a new heater technology that is safer and more reliable than traditional heating systems
There comes a time with aquarium technology when a major breakthrough is made. We saw this when aquarium return pumps shifted from AC to DC and when we saw the shift from T5s to LEDs in lighting technology.
We now see the same shift with PTC technology with the Innovative Marine Helio. This heating unit is the first of its kind in the industry. It does not operate like the other heaters on this list that use traditional resistance wires to heater terms. This type of technology is quite old, originating from toasters. That’s right, the same technology used in many aquarium heaters today is no different than what you use to toast your bread!
The problem with this traditional technology is if these fish tank heaters are exposed to air or become covered in debris, they run the risk of overloading, which leads to the explosions and failures many of us experience hobbyists have dealt with in the past.
The Helio changes all of this. The PTC technology uses chips that are programmed to heat at predetermined set temperatures. This results in a safer and more reliable heater. It’s all controlled by the Helio controller. Both the heater and temperature control device were heavily researched by the IM team. They looked at how aquaculture facilities managed their aquarium water temperature. As a result, the Helio is developed like a commercial versus hobbyist grade product.
A new commercial developed product like this demands a very high price. This is the most expensive heater on the list but has the most potential of every heater here. The technology is promising. I see more and more high-end heaters in the future utilizing this technology as it matures, and the price as a result drops as more brands develop it. You will pay a price premium by adopting this technology early.
Pros
- German-made and Innovative Marine name
- Cutting-edge PTC technology
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Not designed to be used inside display tank
- Very expensive
Helio Rating
4. BRS Titanium Element
Best Aquarium Heater
The ultimate in heater reliability today. It is the holy grail of high end aquarium heaters. A must for anyone with prized livestock.
The heating element is made of titanium, which is unbreakable in our hobby and can conduct heat better throughout the body than other materials. It is German-made, a standout among a number of heaters that are now being produced in China.
When it comes to hearing and accuracy of this heater, the BRS element has been thoroughly tested and will maintain a temperature deviation of 0.5 degrees or less when equipped with a high-quality controller. This ensures that your tank’s temperature will remain stable and keep your aquatic pets healthy.
Being a titanium heater, the element is more efficient than traditional glass heaters. While it will consume the same base power, the heater is more efficient because the titanium construction will conduct heat better than glass. This will save you on energy costs and reduce the carbon footprint of the heater.
Being made from titanium, these heaters are the ultimate when it comes to durability. They are virtually unbreakable and will take the more extreme punishment from large fish and won’t explode on you. These fish tank heaters have the confidence of the manufacturer to provide a 3-year warranty.
Because of their makeup, they require a controller to adjust the temperature. You can either hook it up to an aquarium controller or use the model offered in the link above that connects to an Inkbird. The Inkbird has been a personal mainstay for me over the years, and I feel great using it with this system.
It’s a pricy heater, but it really is what fish tank owners have been looking for all these years. When you have a tank with hundreds or even thousands of prized tropical fish and corals (or tons of live plants) – you demand a heater that doesn’t fail. The titanium element offers you that peace of mind. It’s a must for anyone with a prized display tank.
Pros
- German Made
- 3-year warranty
- Works with a controller
Cons
- Expensive
- No models for smaller fish tanks
- Inkbird controller isn’t as good as the Finnex STE
BRS Titanium Element Rating
5. Cobalt Aquatic Neo-Therm – The Most Accurate on the Market
Compact and accurate. This is a great heater if you lack space. Great for all in one tanks
If you have a system that requires precise constant water temperature with sensitive inverts, corals, or tropical fish like a reef tank, the Cobalt Aquatics Neo Therm Heater can’t be beaten. Cobalt Aquatics computer tested all their Neo therm heaters. They are accurate up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit of the set temperature (better than most controllers on the market in fact), the Aquatics Neo Therm heater, to many in the reef aquarium hobby is the go-to – especially in nano tanks. The Neo-Therm is also one of the most compact heaters. It can fit in any all-in-one aquarium or nano tank and will hide well if placed inside the tank. For overall features, this is the best submersible aquarium heater you can buy today.
It does come with a higher price tag though. The Neo Therm heater is one of the more expensive heaters available and they also only come in smaller wattage sizes, meaning you will need multiple units to run a larger tank.
Pros
- Accurate up to 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit!
- Manual water temperature adjustment dial
- Compact design – fits in all in one system
Cons
- Only available in smaller wattage
- Expensive
Neo-Therm Rating
6. Aqueon Pro Adjustable – With a Limited Lifetime Warranty
The only heater on the list that offers a lifetime warranty
If you are looking for a reliable shatterproof adjustable submersible heater, with a limited lifetime warranty, look no further than the Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater. Aqueon has been in the Aquarium industry for a long time and many of us have trusted them for our tanks as many of the standard tanks old these days are manufactured either by Aqueon or Marineland.
The Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater comes with a water temperature dial that is painless to adjust the temperature. Because it’s manual control, it is less prone for its temperature configuration to fail because the setting will not reset during a power outage. The Aqueon Pro is accurate within 1 degree of the desired temperature, which is adequate for most home aquariums, but would be considered suspect in a delicate environment such as a reef tank.
Pros
- Lifetime warranty and Aqueon Name
- Manual water temperature dial that will not reset in a power outage
- Shatterproof design
Cons
- Temperature sensor only accurate up to 1 degree
- No separate controller for redundancy
Aqueon Pro Rating
7. Fluval M-Series
Made of Borosilicate glass and backed by a 3-year warranty. The Fluval M-Series is a good value buy that balances performance and cost
The M-Series is Fluval’s value heater offering and one of the common ones you will see at pet stores and local fish stores. If all the heaters you will find at non-specialized pet stores, this will likely be the best glass heater you will find on the rack. It’s made of Borosilicate glass and backed by a 3-year warranty. Fluval has a big presence in our aquarium industry and many of its products are known for their reliability.
The M-Series is a budget heater. While it is not as high-end as the BRS heater element or as well-built as the Eheim Jager, it is still a competent heater. It’s also smaller and less bulky than the Jager, which makes it more suitable for all-in-one aquarium and smaller tanks.
While heaters are prone to failure, this is still one of the better ones out there. With proper backup protocols, you should be happy with purchasing an M-Series.
Pros
- Good price
- Hagen/Fluval name
- Computer calibrated
- More compact than the Eheim
- The suction cups work well
Cons
- Inferior to the Eheim heater
- Still prone to break from large fish
- No separate controller for redundancy
Fluval M-Series Rating
8. Finnex Deluxe Titanium – Great for Monster Fish Keepers
Titanium Heater with a Digital controller. Excellent for larger tanks
For those of us with large tanks over 200 gallons, it is difficult to not only find a high wattage heater, but also a heater that is about to take the punishment of large aggressive fish who may thrash about in the aquarium and knock down rocks and equipment.
This is where the Finnex Deluxe Titanium Heaters answer the call. It is a titanium-built heater, which makes them virtually indestructible. A titanium heating element is more corrosive resistant than glass heaters, making it ideal for saltwater environments.
Before I discovered the Inkbird, this was my recommendation for someone who wanted to use titanium heaters. It’s cheaper than the BRS element, though the controller is not as accurate as an APEX or Inkbird.
However, because there is no adjustment dial on the heater itself, there is no redundancy on the submersible heater to protect against failure. The controller itself is only accurate up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit, which is fine for freshwater fish tanks and fish-only saltwater setups. Reef tank users will want to consider purchasing the Finnex Titanium Heater Rod only and go with a more accurate aquarium heater controller or utilize a high-end controller like an Apex Controller.
Pros
- Titanium built design
- Comes with a digital controller
- Available in up to 800W
Cons
- No adjustment dial on submersible heater itself
- Controller is accurate only up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit of set temperature
- Not available in smaller sizes
Finnex Deluxe Rating
9. Finnex Titanium – Titanium for the Rest of Us
A budget version of the Deluxe Finnex heater. This is a titanium heater for the masses!
Titanium heaters are considered better than glass heaters due to the fact that titanium is more corrosive resistant and is nearly indestructible. Our last heater was only available in high wattage, but this variation of Finnex Titanium Heaters is for the rest of us. With very similar pros and cons, this heater will get you a titanium submersible heater at a reasonable price. It also comes with a heater guard to protect fish from touching it.
Like with most titanium heaters, the heating element does not have a manual adjuster on board. To program to the desired set water temp, you have to use the controller that comes with it.
This heater is one of the most affordable titanium heater solutions out there that is a name brand. It’s cheaper than both the BRS and digital heater. It also comes in smaller sizes, so you can use them in smaller aquariums. Titanium heaters, in general, will use less electricity than glass heaters since they conduct heat better.
Pros
- Titanium built design
- Comes with a digital controller
Cons
- No adjustment dial on the submersible heater itself
- The controller is accurate only up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit
Finnex Titanium Ratings
10. Hydor In-line – A Great Choice For Canister Filter Users
This In-Line heater is an excellent choice to pair with a canister filter. Keeps your heater out of your display tank!
The Hydor Inline Heaters are the perfect choice for aquarists who own a Canister filter. Because this heater runs through your return line, you do not have to worry about this heater being inside of your fish tank and prone to the abuse some of your fish would cause on it moving rock work or even yourself hitting it accidentally performing maintenance. It is constructed with Hydor’s patented PTC heating technology. The way the unit works is that it is made of a special polymer that has been printed with aquarium-safe ink. This ink heats up the passing current as the water is transferred into your aquarium. It really is a fascinating technology!
When it comes to performance, the Hydor heater is a step up to a submersible heater. The PTC technology is unique and new age. It heats water as it passes through. It is more efficient and provides heating that can remain hidden in the tank
It does come with some major drawbacks though. It must be installed in the vertical position, which can be a problem for those with limited space in their cabinets. It can be only installed with vinyl tubing, making it non-ideal for setups with hard plumbing. It is also only available in up to 300W. You can’t run a second heater inline. However, my personal experience with these heaters is that they do not fail as often as traditional glass heaters.
Hydor also does not state how accurate the heater is on their specs; a controller is highly recommended. It is a great alternative to a submersible aquarium heater.
Pros
- External heater
- Slick operation and patented technology
- No risk of heater burn on fish
Cons
- No specs from Hydor on how accurate it is
- Can only be used with vinyl tubing
- Only available up to 300W
Hydor Rating
11. Hyggar Titanium – New Player on the Market Delivering Budget Items
An affordable way to get a titanium heater and heater controller in one package
This aquarium heater really surprised us. The Hyggar Titanium Heaters come with a digital temp controller that claims 0.5 degrees of accuracy. That claim would make it one of the most accurate controllers on the market. I would say from testing this product now that it doesn’t have that stated accuracy, but it is a good budget titanium heater. It is cheaper than the BRS, and Finnex heaters.
Being titanium, it is nearly instructable and is more energy efficient than cheaper glass heaters. It is available in multiple sizes and is compact enough to work in some small tanks.
They were a newer brand in 2023, but the reviews have been pretty stellar, enough for us to consider them on our list for aquarists looking for an all-in-one solution titanium heater with a controller. They have reached out to use for a sponsored video, but we declined as we prefer to keep our reviews independent.
Pros
- Titanium design
- Controller claimed accuracy of 0.5 degrees
Cons
- New manufacturer
Hyggar Titanium Rating
Benefits (Why Do I Need To Purchase One)
Because most of us in the fish keeping hobby keep tropical fish (saltwater fish), they require the water temperature range to be consistently around 75 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit ( 24 to 27 Celsius). Since we keep aquariums indoors in our home, most people would think that the room temperature of our home could keep our aquariums at a safe water temperature. However, seasons change and there are certain times, like in the winter, when the room temperature in your home can drop below 70 degrees or less in your home putting our precious livestock at risk. They don’t handle temperature changes well.
The best aquarium heaters not only keep your water temperature up for your tropical fish but are easily adjustable so you can keep your water at the desired tank temperature. They are also accurate to boot. Some will even come equipped with a separate temperature controller so you add redundancy in the event a heater fails.
What We Looked For
Figuring out the best aquarium heaters on the market is not easy to do. There are lots of manufacturers out there from many different price points. To filter out the good from the bad here is what we used in our criteria.
Manufacturer of Origin
The aquarium industry is loaded with a ton of budget-friendly products, but this also means the quality and reliability of the product could be suspect. It’s very easy to go to places like Amazon and find a cheap Chinese-made heater to work on your tank. However, they typically do not have good quality control and aren’t built to last.
Heater failure is a serious issue in the hobby. I’m looking for German or Italian made and looking for products with big warranties.
Brand Name
Good brands back up their products with warranties and lab tests. Brands like Eheim have stood the test of time and get my vote over budget brands.
Accuracy
A heater should be pinpoint accurate and consistent. The best heaters on the market will be within 1 degree accurate and will be easy to calibrate.
Build Quality
You want a product that has features like auto shutoff if the heater gets too hot or it runs dry. You want a heater that is more durable materials like titanium or lab-grade glass.
All these criteria get a rating of 1 to 10 with 1 being the worst and 10 being the best. We take an average score to determine our best heaters. Note that price doesn’t come into the equation. With the exception of heaters on this list, we don’t feel that price is a major determining factor. With these two products that are pricey, if your livestock is expensive, we feel the purchase is justified.
How to Choose the Right One
I’ve provided a lot of choices here and it can be frustrating to figure out which one works best. No worries though, let me help you out.
Sizes
All the aquarium heaters listed in this blog post come in various sizes. Some like the Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat are very bulky while the Cobalt Neo Therm Heaters are very compact in size. If you do not have a sump or canister filter, the size of the heater will come into play as it may stick out like a sore thumb. Smaller heaters are easier to hide and also getting multiple heaters will help with hiding them in the fish tank (redundancy is also another reason to get more than one heater which I’ll explain in further detail).
Types
Aquariums
The type of aquarium you own will help determine what heater you will need. For example, if you have a fish-only freshwater community fish tank with mostly hardy fish, you can likely get by with a single heater and a relatively cheap one.
If you have larger predator fish like Cichlids or Arowanas, you will want a submersible heater that can take a beating. This is where Titanium heaters can come into play as they are virtually indestructible.
For those of us who have sensitive inverts or exotic fish as you may have with a saltwater reef aquarium, the accurate and reliable temperature is critical. A swing in temperature range could cost thousands of dollars in lost livestock with such setups. Therefore, as a reef tank owner, it is imperative that we build our heating system with multiple redundancies and safeguards to protect our livestock.
Heaters
I did throw out a number of terms when it came to fish tank heater construction so I can be a little more detailed here. A submersible aquarium heater will typically be constructed with the following materials:
- Glass
- High-Quality Glass like Quartz or Borosilicate
- Titanium
Glass heaters are what you will typically find with value-based brands that are not listed on this list. I have completely ignored these because they are prone to exploding in a fish tank and shattering! Not something you want:
Highly quality glass like what you see with the Eheim and heaters is durable glass that is resistant to thermal shock and less prone to exploding like above. They can still crack if dropped or hit by a rock, but in normal operation, they should be fine, especially if they are placed in a safe area like a sump.
Titanium heaters like the Finnex heaters are virtually indestructible and great for tanks with larger fish. They also tend to be the most expensive of the lot.
Your Budget
I have listed a number of quality heaters in this post in all ranges of budgets. One thing to note is that many aquariums will run multiple heaters and I am aware that not everyone will have the budget to deploy a multiple heater setup. The heater for bang for the buck I feel is the Eheim heater. Eheim offers a reliable heater with the best mix of quality and price.
Where to Place It
It is the best to place your fish tank heater in an area that gets a good amount of flow. This will normally be an area in close proximity to a power head, power filter, or air stone. You also want to keep aesthetics in mind so if you are placing the heater directly into your display, you will want to place the heater behind rock work or plants.
Placement is even easier with an all-in-one aquarium as there are compartments available in the return section where you can place your submersible aquarium heater in. If you have a sump, it’s even easier can you can place them in your sump after your first chamber.
How Many Watts Does It Need to Be?
It is actually a very simple rule of thumb that unfortunately gets confusing if you visit aquarium forums. The rule is 3 watts per gallon of water. The chart below provides a clear breakdown of the common aquarium sizes for reference
| Fish Tank Sizes | Heater Wattage Needed |
| 10 G | 30 Watts |
| 20G | 60 Watts |
| 29G | 87 Watts |
| 40G | 120 Watts |
| 55G | 165 Watts |
| 75G | 225 Watts |
| 90G | 270 Watts |
| 125G | 375 Watts |
| 180G | 540 Watts |
| 225G | 675 Watts |
| 300G | 900 Watts |
How To Fool Proof Against Failure
As I stated when I talked about the BRS heater element, aquarium heaters, unfortunately are prone to a number of failures. These failure points are:
- The aquarium heater explodes
- The aquarium heater cracks
- The aquarium heater’s internal thermometer fails
- The aquarium heater’s off/on mechanism fails
- The aquarium heater’s settings reset after a power outage
That is A LOT of failure points. It’s also a bit scary to know that the #1 tank crash reason are aquarium heater failures. It’s not a disease, it’s not a power outage, but your heater failing. That’s correct, a measly $30 heater can be the cause of you losing hundreds of dollars of fish and pets that you have owned and cherished for many years.
This is why we recommend purchasing an aquarium heater system. This would encompass:
- The best fish tank heater from this list
- Running two heaters instead of one that gets to the recommended wattage level
- A separate aquarium controller that is accurate at least to 1 degree Fahrenheit and can run both heating and cooling equipment
- A reasonable piece of cooling equipment that won’t break the bank
Since I know a number of my readers cannot afford or do not want to pay for the premium of the BRS heater element or Helios, this section of this blog post is to help guide you on setting up a reliable heating system for less money.
Get A Good One To Start
I mentioned it early on in the post what my top 3 are. I would stick with those as you can’t go wrong with either. All those heaters met my strict criteria and receive my full recommendation.
Failsafe #1 – Running Two Instead of One
Why would we run two heaters? Well, as I mentioned, heaters have many fail points and one of them is the off mechanism failing. This will mean that the heater will stay on and effectively cook your tank. This is the #1 reason for a heater fail. When you purchase two smaller heaters, if one fails at the on position it is not powerful enough to cook your tank inhabitants. It will stay on and you should have ample warning to notice the failure and act accordingly.
Failsafe #2 – Running a Separate Controller
Since running two heaters will give you time to act in the event one fails at the on position, you could be out of town or not present for some time to act. This is where a separate aquarium controller comes in. A separate aquarium controller has it’s own temperature sensors or probe and mechanics separate from an aquarium heater. This provides you with an additional fail safe. Now both heaters AND the controller would need to fail at the same time in order for your tank to experience a crash. That is very unlikely to happen.
The Controllers
So now let’s talk about aquarium heater controllers. The controllers from Finnex and Hyggar are pretty good, but the Finnex controller is only accurate up to 2 degrees and the Hyggar controllers are new to the market. There is one heater controller that has been around for a while and is trusted in other industries aside from the Aquatic industry – namely aquaponics, and beer brewing.
The Inkbird Aquarium Controller – The Best Bang for Buck Controller on the Market
Protect your investment with this heater controller. An excellent choice for small tanks. WiFi models now available!
I know there will be some folks on the comment section who may post and say that I should talk about aquarium controllers, but to me, that is a completely separate subject. Aquarium controllers are very expensive and even an entry-level controller is going to cost over $200, which is going to be out of the range of many readers of this post.
The inbird is a great budget controller with a large LED display. The Inkbird ITC-308 is a great aquarium heater controller that is accurate up to 1-degree Fahrenheit. It is easy to program and has the ability to not only control heaters but cooling equipment as well. This actually provides a TRIPLE FAIL SAFE as the cooling function will kick off in the event the aquarium gets too warm. If the aquarium gets too hot or cold, the Inkbird can sound an alarm letting you know something is wrong. There is also a wi-fi version available so you can get temperature alerts on your phone if the fish tank gets too warm or too cold!
HYDROS Control 2 – An Entry Level Controller
Budget Option
The Hydros Control 2 kit is very simple to use. It allows you to program the controller without having any prior coding knowledge.
The Hydros Control 2 is a step up from the Inkbird. It has the wifi features and more. It can control temperature and a number of devices, detect leaks, and more. It was developed to be a cheaper alternative to the Neptune APEX and a worthy successor to the Reefkeeper entry-level controller.
This controller provides even better assurance that your temperatures stay stable. I typically go with an inkbird on smaller budget builds, but if I have more budget and my client isn’t looking to get an APEX, this is a definite consideration for me. If you are looking for a compete solution, I would recommend looking into my best aquarium controller post for details about controllers that are able to automate multiple aquarium functions.
The Cooling Fan – The Final Fail Safe
Aquarium cooling fans are cheap and effective ways of pushing heat away from the aquarium
Since these aquarium heater controllers have the ability to cool down a tank, let’s get a reasonable piece of cooling equipment. An aquarium chiller is going to be out of the budget range of many aquarists so a cooling fan is a good option for us to look into.
The IPETTITE Aquarium Cooling Fan is a very reasonable piece of equipment when teamed with an aquarium heater controller can provide some cooling in the event your tank gets too warm. It’s not a chiller, but it should get you by in most situations. If you need to take it to another level, you can try looking at my best aquarium chiller post for options regarding chillers.
Final Solution – Incorporate Replacement In Your Maintenance Cost
Replacing your heater every year has become a trendy strategy, especially for those who keep expensive setups like reef tanks or aquascapes. When you have invested thousands into a setup, it’s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things to budget $60 a year to replace your heater annually. If you have a setup this expensive, I would recommend this approach but still stick to higher quality heaters. Jagers are a great choice for this method as they are fairly inexpensive to replace. The heating element for the Finnex STE is also reasonably inexpensive to replace.
FAQS
What Is The Best 300W Unit?
The best 300W aquarium heater is going to be the BRS titanium heating element. At this size and given the likely size and value of your livestock, it’s best to invest in a titanium heater that uses a high-quality controller. The BRS heating element achieves this at a decent price.
How Often Should I Replace It?
Ideally, you should never have to replace an aquarium heater. Unfortunately, that is not the reality in the hobby. The unfortunate fact is that heaters are replaced when they fail – which results in catastrophic results. To avoid this, you should replace a heater every 2 years. You could alternatively invest in a high-end heater like the Helios and likely keep them for the life of the tank.
Do They Use A Lot Of Electricity?
Yes, aquarium heaters use the most electricity of any other piece of equipment other than high-end lighting systems. To save on your energy costs, consider keeping your fish tank in a well-insulated room or keeping your home at a higher temperature. In warmer climates, this actually might save you on your home bill since your AC won’t be on as much. Keeping your home at 78 degrees in the warmer months will keep your heating costs down.
Do I Actally Need A Heater?
You may be surprised to hear this, but many freshwater aquarium setups may not require a water heater at all. Many fish can live in room temperature water, which means if your home’s temperatures are stable, you can keep fish without a heater. However, fish like Discus fish, betta fish, and saltwater fish need higher temperatures that will require a heater.
Wrapping It All Up
Well, this was a pretty long post. I hope I was able to provide you with the information you need to make the best-informed purchase. As I stated earlier, there is a reason for these aquarium heaters to be on our best-of lists as they all have their place depending on your aquarium situation and budget.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment in the comment section. If you have a fish tank heater you feel is the best, drop your thoughts below. Thanks for reading :).
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I’m thrilled that you found Aquarium Store Depot! Here you’ll find information on fish, aquariums, and all things aquatics related. I’m a hobbyist (being doing this since I was 11) and here to help other hobbyists thrive with their aquariums! I adhere to a high quality Editorial Process and Review products with real life field usage and practical analysis.
Hi Dave,
I would go with 2 150W heaters to be safe. It’s okay to oversize your wattage total given your situation and the face that you will be running two heaters.
65 gallon Salt water tank for Fish only with Live Rock. I want 2 heaters. In the winter, I allow the house to drop as low as 62 degrees. Do I need more than a total of 65×3=195 watts (I assume that with 2 heaters, I would need 2 100 watt devices)