Saltwater aquariums are becoming more and more popular for hobbyists. However, maintaining the proper temperature is crucial to a successful tank!
So, probably you’ve been searching for the best saltwater aquarium heater to use in your own tank? Your search is over! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the different types and styles that are available.
We’ll also go over what features you should be looking for when making a purchase decision. Hopefully, this will make it simpler than ever before to find one that’s right for you!
Follow this guide to find out what saltwater aquarium heater will work best for your situation.
What Is The Best Saltwater Aquarium Heater? (Editor’s Choice)
I have discussed a lot in the below sections and reviewed the 07 best saltwater aquarium heaters. On the list, you will get mainly two different types of heater.
One is a heater package consisting of a heater and a separate digital temperature controller. You can monitor and regulate the temperature from your convenient location.
And the other type is, without any digital display, you have to set the temperature with the adjustable dial attached to the heater body.
Both the types are equally effective, but I preferred the digital one because you can monitor the actual tank temperature and set temperature simultaneously. In addition, you can adjust the temperature without removing the heater from the tank. If I make a summary of the saltwater heaters I have reviewed, among them:
07 Best Saltwater Aquarium Heater
1. Eheim JAGER TruTemp Aquarium Heater
When you want your fish tank to be a part of your home décor, the Eheim Jager submersible heater is a perfect choice. This attractive and compact aquarium heater features shatterproof glass construction and an adjustable thermostat that ranges from 65° to 93° F.
You just need to turn the blue dial to set the temperature you want; after that, place it into the aquarium. The heater is reliable, and it has a control accuracy of +/- 0.5 degrees Celsius.
A thermal safety control enables “running dry” protection, while an on/off indicator light verifies proper function. The heater will shut off as soon as you remove that from the water and resume functioning again upon return.
It includes a mounting brace and suction cups for easy installation. Extra-long power cable allows it to be accommodated in all fish tanks. This 250-watt heater can heat up to 265 us gallons.
The heater is 17 inches long, and sometimes it becomes difficult to hide. In addition, some users mentioned that the heater is not a long-lasting one and it’s not well capable of maintaining the temperature with precision, but their numbers are very few.
Pros
- Good temperature control accuracy
- Easy to adjust the dial to set the desired temperature
- Dry run protection
- Strong suction cups and mounting bracket
- Extra-long power cord
Cons
- The heating element is a bit longer
- Some users find it stops working after few days
- Temperature control is not so accurate
2. Fluval M50 Submersible Heater
Fluval’s M-Series Submersible Heater is a perfect fit for your aquarium. This heater provides exceptional performance, reliability, and exclusive mirror technology to blend in with its surroundings. It has four different sizes (50-200 watts) and is suitable for 15 to 65 gallons.
Aquarium gadgets sometimes hamper the beauty of the aquarium or aquascape. But the reflective mirror technology of this heater helps to match it with the aquarium colors.
The Fluval M-Series Submersible Heater features a computer-calibrated thermostat that ensures for precise heating of your aquarium water. In addition, shock-resistant borosilicate glass and high-density ceramic housing prove that this heater is durable and reliable.
The easy-to-adjust temperature control dial allows you to set the desired water temperature. While it also features a slim profile tube for easy placement within your aquarium. Make sure to keep it fully submerged in the water when the power is on.
The heater is sleek and compact in design. It is perfect for use in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. The manufacturer’s also providing three years of warranty, which makes it even more special.
Rather than being a bit taller compared to other heaters, it has no significant downside, and that reflects in the rating.
Pros
- Suitable for saltwater and freshwater aquarium
- Mirror reflects technology
- Available in different sizes
- Shock-resistant glass
- User-friendly adjustable temperature dial
- 03 years warranty
Cons
- Few users observed a crack on the glass after few days of use
3. Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater
It’s amazing! The company offers seven different sizes starting from 30 watts to as high as 500W, and you’ll get them at reasonably low prices.
The temperature control knob permits you to manipulate temperatures from 68 to 89 degrees Fahrenheit. It is featured with an explosion-proof 2-mm thick quartz glass, and you can easily hide that in the tank.
A reliable thermostatic operation maintains a uniform temperature and automatically turns off the heater when the set temperature is reached to prevent overheating.
The heater is relatively small in size, simple in operation, but very effective. Fortunately, the power cord is extra-large, and that is 6 feet long. The fantastic part is, this product includes a digital thermometer to monitor the temperature in the tank, so you don’t need to buy an extra one separately.
Indicator light notifies you when the heater is on. You can mount the heater using suction cups that come along with the package. Another selling point is, the heater is designed to be placed both vertically and horizontally.
The downside is, very few users mentioned they found it faulty as soon as they installed it in the tank. So probably it could be damaged earlier, maybe during transportation, or perhaps the particular unit was problematic.
Pros
- Affordable
- Precise temperature control can hold within half a degree
- One digital thermometer is included
- Slim and sturdy
- 6 feet long power cable
- It can be installed both vertically and horizontally
Cons
- Some users found the heater is not working
4. hygger Saltwater Tank Titanium Tube Submersible Pinpoint Aquarium Heater
Hygger Saltwater Tank Submersible Pinpoint Aquarium Heater is made of shatterproof titanium. That makes the heater more durable and robust. It also has anti-corrosion properties and can perform heavy-duty, making it an ideal choice for a saltwater tank.
The heater is equipped with a separate controller having a dual display. You can adjust the temperature without removing the heater from the tank. Two digital temperature displays show the tank’s set temperature and actual temperature, so you won’t need a separate thermometer.
The heater has a wide heating range, between 32 and 104°F. The built-in thermostat maintains the unmatched control accuracy, and that is +/- 0.5° C. Thermostat also shuts off the heater when the tank temperature reaches the set temperature.
It has been recommended to place the heater horizontally; you can easily do that with the suction cups provided. Moreover, don’t forget to attach the heater to the controller. The power cords and cables are sufficiently long, so installation is also effortless.
A cautionary note is, the heater is not suitable for use in an acrylic tank or turtle tank, and I’ll suggest reading the do’s/don’ts carefully before using it in your tank. Although, a few mentioned instruction manuals were a bit harder to understand for them. The product also has a free one-year replacement for damaged items.
Pros
- Titanium made high precision heater
- Separate temperature controller
- Wide heating range (32 to 104°F)
- The thermostat ensures automatic on/off
- Suitable for all setups, except an acrylic tank
Cons
- Suction cups are not so strong
- Instructions are hard to interpret
5. HiTauing Submersible Aquarium Heater, 300W/500W Fish Tank Heater with Accurate Temperature Control
HiTauing Submersible Aquarium Heater is simply superb! The features and customer service of the manufacturer are outstanding and really impressive. If anything goes wrong with the heater after your purchase, you’ll get a replacement or refund!
The heater provides much faster heating and a long-lasting effect. Thanks to the materials it is made of. It has used high-quality explosion-proof quartz and nickel-chromium heating wire with silicon carbide heat conduction.
The heater element is enclosed in a hard plastic containing holes. When power is on, heat will dissipate evenly through the holes to the surroundings. It has another purpose as well; it prevents your adorable pet from scalding. You can easily take it apart for easy cleaning.
The control box remains outside the aquarium, meaning you can easily monitor and adjust the temperature whenever you need it without removing the heater from the aquarium. The built-in controller can accurately sense the temperature and adjust accordingly to the set temperature. It can be adjusted between 63 to 94 degrees Fahrenheit.
HiTauing Submersible Aquarium Heater is suitable for different sets, including freshwater, saltwater, and turtle tank, but don’t use it in an acrylic tank.
Also, it is designed to be used both ways, vertically and horizontally. Finally, it has dry run protection; if the water level drops and the heater body remains 5cm above the water surface, it automatically turns the heater off.
Overall, it’s really a good product and worth buying. The downsides are it’s a bit taller, but you can hide it easily behind plants and decors. Also, in no arrangement to hang the temperature reader, you need to find a way by yourself to do that.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good, responsive customer care service
- Fast, reliable, and high-precision heating
- Protective layers are there to saves the fish from scalding
- Separate built-in controller to monitor and adjust the temperature
- Dry run protection
- Suitable for freshwater, saltwater, and turtle tank
- Built-in memory will preserve the setting
Cons
- No arrangement for hanging the temperature reader
- Not suitable to use in an acrylic tank
6. AQQA Submersible Aquarium Heater
Another high-quality heater similar to the HiTauing heater is AQQA submersible aquarium heater. It can be set to whatever temperature between 65°F and 86°F (18-30°C). The heater holds the temperature within 1°F; If the tank water temperature Is lower than the set temperature by 1°F, the heater will turn on.
The heater will automatically shut off when the target temperature has been reached. It also provides dry run protection; when the heater is above 5 centimeters of the water level, the heater will turn off.
The exterior temp readout and control module is really appreciable. A built-in controller with LED displays shows the set temperature and the current temperature. You can install the controller in your desired place with an adjustable hook. Another amazing thing to mention is that it has a memory setting, so the settings will stay the same if there is a power outage.
The heating element comprises explosion-proof quartz material and nickel-chromium wire with silicon carbide for higher conductivity, meaning faster heating. The heater is covered by a heater shell made of high-temperature plastic, saving your fish from direct contact with the heating element. In addition, the exterior is easily removable if you need to clean the heater.
The product offers 1 year warranty period. Also, good customer service was there to help you, providing before and after sell service. The company has a free return policy and a 3-month replacement option that shows confidence with their products.
This aquarium heater is suitable to use for all aquarium setups. You can use it even in acrylic tanks but make sure there is sufficient water circulation. The product is available in 05 different sizes from 100 to 800 watts.
Pros
- Different size available
- The heating element ensures faster and reliable heating
- The heater guard ships fish from scalding
- Adjustable hook to mount the controller unit
- The product has 1-year warranty and a responsive customer care service
- The built-in memory saves the previous setting
Cons
- Very few users mentioned that the heater melted after a few months
- Some received damaged heater in the box
7. Simple Deluxe Submersible Aquarium Titanium Fish Tank Heater
Do you love to fish but don’t want to deal with the hassle of a tank? Then, the Simple Deluxe Titanium Submersible Aquarium Heater is the perfect solution for you. It’s easy to use and will keep your water at the ideal temperature all day long.
With this heater, you’ll never have to worry about the right temperature in your aquarium or having a bunch of dead fish because you didn’t know they were too cold/too hot. The heater is consistent and can maintain the desired temperature with precision.
It’s made of titanium, so it won’t rust, and it has an explosion-proof design. Plus, it has an automatic safety shut-off feature that will protect your home from overheating!
The touch-button controller adjusts the temperature without getting your hands wet. Digital LED temperature display on the heater body shows the actual tank temperature. Moreover, it has dry run protection; when the water level drops to a certain point, the heater shuts off.
This heater is also great if you’re looking for something more than just a basic heating system – it comes with an adjustable flow water pump so that no matter what size tank you have, it’ll be heated evenly and efficiently!
Overall it’s an excellent product, great value for the money that will keep your fish happy and healthy for years to come!
Pros
- Titanium made, anti-corrosion, and explosion-proof
- Easy to set adjust the temperature with touch-button controller
- Shows actual tank temperature with digital temperature display
- Low water level shuts off
- The water circulation pump is included in the package
Cons
- Some mentioned it’s not precise at controlling temperature.
How To Make The Aquarium Heater Reliable And Failsafe?
Yet if you buy the best aquarium heater, there is always a possibility that electrical equipment like a heater may fail. There are several reasons for aquarium heater failure. Therefore, when in doubt, check whether your aquarium heater is working or not. The probable heater failure points are mentioned below.
- The heater may explode
- The heating element develops cracks over time
- Heater may meltdown
- Aquarium heaters built-in thermostat may fail
- Heater’s internal thermometers fail
- The control accuracy of the aquarium heater reduced
- The setting changed after a power outage.
An aquarium heater is one of the essential equipment and most vulnerable as well. A heater malfunction may destroy hundreds of dollars of fish and corals that you have been building for many years.
So, how can you make the heater more reliable and failsafe? You can do that in three different ways.
Failsafe option #1: Running two small size heater rather than a single large heater
It is recommended to use two smaller heaters rather than a single large heater. For example, suppose if you need a 100-watt heater for your tank, you should buy two 50 Watt heaters instead of a single one. Because heaters fail and malfunction.
For instance, the heater may stay on all the time and has the potential to cook your fish tank. Therefore, if you have two smaller heaters, even if one fails, it will not be able to cook your tank inhabitants because it’s not powerful enough. If that happens, that can raise the temperature but not to a deadly level, and you’ll get a warning to act.
Failsafe option #2: Running a separate temperature controller in parallel to the central controller
Another good option is that you can buy a separate temperature controller instead of buying two smaller heaters. A separate temperature controller will be independent of the main aquarium heater controller.
The temperature controller has its own probe and mechanism to monitor the temperature and control the heater. So, if one controller fails, then the other will catch it up. Thus, the failure of two controllers at a time is quite an unlikely event.
Suppose you want to be extra cautious and more concerned about safety. In that case, I’ll suggest buying two smaller heaters and also a separate controller. Now, the likelihood of the tank crushing because of a heater failure is almost zero.
When Should I Have To Replace My Aquarium Heater?
Once a year, in general; however, it’s not always applicable. If you buy a reliable brand and regular cleaning of salt deposits or algae improves the heater’s lifetime. Considering the catastrophic effect of heater failure, it’s a good practice to replace the heater regularly.
Suppose you find that the heater faces challenges maintaining the temperature within 3-4 degrees of what you have set. In that case, it’s the best time to find an alternative.
What Is The Right Size Heater For My Tank?
Finding the right size heater is not a challenging task. You just need to do simple math. First, find the desired temperature of your saltwater tank that you want to be maintained. After that, subtract it from the lowest room temperature you can have in a year. Now multiply the value with the volume of your aquarium.
For example, if the required temperature is 80°F and your lowest room temperature is 75°F, then the temperature difference is 5°F. If you own a 10-gallon aquarium, then multiply 10 with 5; you’ll have 50. Therefore, you need a 50-watt heater. So, find the required wattage for your tank and select a suitable heater.
Wrapping Up
There are many different types of saltwater aquarium heaters on the market today, and you might be wondering which one to buy.
So we’ve put together a comparison guide that will help you decide what type is best for your aquarium based on its size and fish species. Now that you know the features of the seven best saltwater aquarium heaters, it should be easier to choose one for your fish.
But if, after reading this article, you’re still unsure about which heater to purchase, please don’t hesitate to reach us with any questions or concerns. We want everyone who reads our blog posts to have an enjoyable experience–especially when it comes to buying their first saltwater aquarium heater!
What’s been your favorite part of this post? Let me know in the comments below so I can write more articles just like it!
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