Heating will be required if you want to keep tropical organisms unless the air temperature around the tank never goes below 25°C. Standard aquarium heaters are the easiest way to go. They are inexpensive an easy to use. Make sure you get one suitable to the conditions in the room in which the tank will be housed. Heaters are available in a range of wattages and the wattage determines the heating capacity of the unit. The two main factors used to determine the correct wattage are the ambient room temperature, or more accurately, the difference between the ambient temperature and the desired water temperature, and the volume of water to be heated. A larger change in temperature requires a larger heater. A larger volume of water requires a larger heater.

Many people go with two slightly underpowered heaters that together have no problems keeping the water at the desired temperature. The idea being that if one fails, the other will be able to stop the temperature from falling too quickly and if one sticks on, it won't be powerful enough to over heat the tank.

Last updated: October 16, 2002