Good Nano Heater

**labnjab** · 02-21-2009, 08:05 PM

We set up our new 5 gallon hex last night and the heater we bought only keeps the tank at 76F (its a small, nonadjustable 50 watt tetra heater that should be good for 15 gallon) I know this isn't nearly enough for a betta (luckily we don't have the fish yet). Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent yet cheap and small heater for a small size tank? Thank you.

**dfadams1956** · 02-22-2009, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by labnjab

We set up our new 5 gallon hex last night and the heater we bought only keeps the tank at 76F (its a small, nonadjustable 50 watt tetra heater that should be good for 15 gallon) I know this isn't nearly enough for a betta (luckily we don't have the fish yet). Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent yet cheap and small heater for a small size tank? Thank you.

I would suggest a Visi-Therm Stealth 50 watt submersible heater. It is a bit more expensive than some of the others, but is a very high quality heater and is extremely accurate and reliable. Some 50 watt heaters, when used in a 5 gallon tank, will tend to heat too fast and cause fluctuations in the temperature, but the Visi-Therm Stealth is more sensitive and accurate than most other heaters and should do a good job for you. I have a 75 watt Stealth in a 20 gallon and it easily holds the temperature at 79 degrees F. So the 50 watt should be fine in your 5 gallon. I've used many different brands in the past, but since I switched to the Visi-Therm Stealth, I would not use any other heater, period. Just my opinion, of course. Other people may have other suggestions.

**cocoa_pleco** · 02-22-2009, 01:52 AM

wal-mart and petsmart sell a small 25w heater. i believe theyre square and thin and you stick them under the gravel

**labnjab** · 02-22-2009, 03:40 AM

Originally Posted by cocoa_pleco

wal-mart and petsmart sell a small 25w heater. i believe theyre square and thin and you stick them under the gravel

I wish they sold those here, we've been too 3 Walmarts (on different occasions) and could only find the one we got. I should have know it was junk because we bought one in the past and it didn't warm up too much. I though it was just defective, but never returned it. We've had decent luck with the 100 and 150 watt tetras. I'll return it and get a visa therm. We have one in our reef and its great, but I didn't know they made a nano size. Thank you dfadams1956

**Chicklet** · 02-22-2009, 03:43 AM

Thats the same name brand I had so many of, you can get them at walmart, two sizes, 2 to 15 gallons and 15 to 30 gallon, (Tetra, submersible heater) no adjusting, easy to hide,, 2 yr warranty.
I'll not buy another cheap piece of crap as those, Done cooked my whole tank of fish!

and what gets me is it reads this on the back. " Electronic thermostat automatically maintains water temperature at 78.2 F. No adjustments are necessary. The thermostat also prevents overheating, extending heater life.

Sure didn't work for my poor fishies! done deep fried them, 110 degrees! in no time flat, when it went array it went all out!

My opionion, Return it and get a far better quality heater. pay the extra and have better piece of mind.

**cocoa_pleco** · 02-22-2009, 04:09 AM

in that case, try a fluval 50w heater. im about 40% sure they make a 25w, but im 100% sure they have 50w ones.

i still have a fluval heater from a long time ago, i think i bought it in 2002, and its kept my 90g at 82f constantly to this day. my 125g reef has a 300w and its reliable too

**lobsternoob** · 02-22-2009, 05:53 AM

I have to agree with Chicklet, those things and their built in thermostat are, well i can't say it here, but they suck IMO. Only good for making soup.

**labnjab** · 02-23-2009, 11:15 AM

I couldn't find a fluval or a visa therm, but I ended up getting a pen plax cascade 50 watt heater. I've had great luck with their filters, so I'm hoping the heater will be equally as good. Its has a lifetime warranty and the tank has been at 80.5 all weekend. I will be hopefully getting the betta mid week.