12 Questions About Fish Tank Heaters Answered

In this article, we will answer some of the most asked questions about fish tank heaters.

Why is my fish tank heater making noise?

Most fish tank heaters use a mechanical process when the thermostat turns the heating element on or off. When the heater is turned on or off, it makes a clicking noise, which is perfectly normal.

If your fish tank heater makes any noise other than a clicking sound, it is not normal and should be turned off and removed from the tank. Any other noise can be an indication of a short-circuit or another malfunction.

Will a fish tank heater melt plastic?

When submerged in a fish tank, a fish tank heater does not reach a high enough temperature to melt the plastic. When turned on outside of a tank, it can melt plastic, but the heater will also be damaged because it should not be turned on when out of the water(emersed).

How many amps is a fish tank heater?

The number of amps a fish tank heater draws will depend on its size in watts. For example, a 200-watt heater will be 1.7 amps.

Amps = watts/volts.

Here is a table with most of the fish tank heater sizes in amps:

Fish Tank Heater Watts	Fish Tank Heater Amps
25	0.2
50	0.4
100	0.8
150	1.25
200	1.7
300	2.5

What to do if your fish tank heater breaks?

Suppose your fish tank heater breaks while in the tank; you should unplug it and remove it from the fish tank as soon as possible. If it was a glass heater and some shattered glass pieces in the tank, you should try to remove as much as possible manually or with a siphon.

Unfortunately, if a fish tank heater breaks, it cannot be repaired and should be replaced. Fish tank heaters should be replaced regularly, as a malfunction can potentially lead to some of your fish dying.

Why does my fish tank heater keep turning off?

If your fish tank heater keeps turning off, the problem can be that it is set to too low a temperature and the thermostat turns it off because the water temperature still exceeds the set temperature. This problem can be solved by simply turning up the temperature at which the heater is set.

a Fish tank heater can be set to a certain temperature which can range from 68°F to 89,6°F. It has an internal thermostat that will turn the heater off when the set temperature is reached.

For instance, if your fish tank heater temperature is set to 76°F, it will turn off when the water temperature reaches or exceeds that mark. It will not turn on before that water temperature falls below the set temperature.

Can I turn my fish tank heater off at night?

Your fish tank heater should not be turned off at night because at night, and early morning, the temperature will fall to its lowest number of the day, and the fish tank heater will keep your fish tank at the desired temperature and prevent it from falling lower.

If you turn your fish tank heater off at night, you run the risk of your aquarium water falling to low temperatures, which can potentially harm your fish.

How long does fish tank heaters last?

Fish tank heaters can last for years if you go for premium models like Eheim Jager or Aquael. These aquarium heaters use an electronic thermostat to turn the heater on or off and thus do not have any mechanical parts that can fail.

Cheaper fish tank heaters use a mechanical process to turn the heater on and off, and this can cause malfunctions where the heater gets stuck on or off. It is good practice to check your fish tank heater before each winter and replace it if needed.

How long does fish tank heaters take?

How long a fish tank heater will take to heat the water to the desired temperature will depend on three factors: the size of the fish tank heater, the water volume to be heated, and the current temperature of the aquarium water.

If your fish tank heater is the correct size for your fish tank, it should not take more than 2 hours to heat the water to the desired temperature and keep it there.

How to calibrate a fish tank heater?

A Fish tank heater can be calibrated by leaving it switched on in the fish tank for at least a day and then taking the tank’s temperature with a separate thermometer and comparing the reading with the temperature at which the fish tank heater is set.

It should be noted that if your fish tank is situated in an icy location like a basement or near an open window, the tank temperature can be lower than the heater setting. The manufacturers already calibrate most modern fish tank heaters to be with 0.5 degrees Fahrenheit

Why does the light on a fish tank heater go on and off?

Most fish tank heaters have an indicator light on when the heater is on and heating the water. The light will turn off when the aquarium water reaches the desired temperature and the heater turns off.

My fish tank heater is too hot

If your fish tank heater is too hot and heats your aquarium to a too high temperature, it should be turned off and removed from the tank. The temperature setting on the heater should then be turned down to the desired temperature, and the heater can be returned to the fish tank once the tank is cooled down.

If the fish tank heater still heats the water too hot after it has been turned down, it is malfunctioning and should be removed from the tank and replaced.

How to hide a fish tank heater?

If your fish tank heater is in the aquarium, it can be hidden behind decor like a piece of wood, rock, or some plants. It should just be noted that there should be a good water flow around the heater as it is the only way the heated water can be dispersed around the tank.

This basically means that you should leave some space between the decor and the heater to ensure good water flow.