Tropical fish and cold water fish differ from one thing – temperature needs. Your goldfish may require a different temperature from your betta fish, which leads to the question: is a heater important for a fish tank? Yes.
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This is why you may need to look for the best heater for 20 gallon tank. Fish tanks can benefit from heaters even if your fish doesn’t look like it needs it. All fish need a certain temperature to stay healthy, just as humans do.
In this heater for 20 gallon tank review article, we are going to give you some picks for ideal heaters for a 20-gallon tank as well as a list of pointers in helping you decide which heater to pick for your tank (and for your fish).
Top Heaters for 20 Gallon Tank
Here are our top picks for the best heater for 20 gallon aquarium:
UPETTOOLS Submersible Aquarium Heater
We liked this aquarium heater because of its covered design, which can hide its hot tube from the fish while keeping an elegant appearance.
It is at 100 watts which can be sufficient for 20-gallon tanks.
It automatically cuts off the power when not in use or if it exceeds the set temperature.
The quartz tube can make it less prone to explosions or overheating while the white corundum induces the heat transfer to be much better.
It comes with its own suction cups to attach to your aquarium wall and it has a control range of 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit
Things We Liked
- Elegant design
- Covers the heating element with its casing
- Explosion-proof quartz
- Has suction cups
- Indicator light
- Auto shut-off
Things We Didn’t Like
- The thermostat is not digital
Orlushy Submersible Aquarium Heater
Made with a digital thermostat, this one also has suction cups and can be used for both freshwater and saltwater species.
It has a thicker design compared to most heaters and has a shorter height.
Quartz glass also makes it explosion-proof and it is at 100 watts of power with a 6-foot cable to power it up.
The quartz glass is at 2mm thick so it isn’t really easy to break.
What’s more, the fish tank heater can be ideal for species that easily freeze in cold weather, such as tropical ones. The thermometer also sits outside of the tank so it can be easy to read and set up.
Things We Liked
- Thick quartz glass for durability
- Good for freshwater and saltwater aquariums
- Pretty accurate temperature readings
- Has suction cups
- Has a digital thermometer or thermostat
Things We Didn’t Like
- Can be a bit bulky for some tanks
Aqueon Pro Heaters Submersible Aquarium Heaters
Aqueon is a trusted brand for fish keepers and this submersible aquarium heater can be just fine for your tank.
It is adjustable from 68 to 88°F and has an automatic shut-off feature so there is little to no risk of frying your fish by accident!
This 150-watt unit also resets the temperature when it cools down. The LED light can help you identify if it is heating or not.
It is also fully submersible due to its sealed design that is also shatterproof. The heater is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Things We Liked
- Shatterproof
- LED light indicator
- Automatic shut-off feature
- Fully submersible
- Limited lifetime warranty
Things We Didn’t Like
- Has to be set really low since it has a higher wattage
Hygger Saltwater Pinpoint Aquarium Heater
Yet another one that has a digital thermostat, this one may be ideal for the Betta fish keepers.
It has a fully submersible design so it can be best for those who want unobtrusive heaters in their tank.
It has a titanium tube that makes it shatterproof and durable – unlike glass that easily shatters or explodes.
At 100 watts, this one can be attached to any tank with its 2 suction cups.
The range is from 32 to 104°F so it is quite wide in its temperature range. It also turns itself off when it reaches your set temperature for safety.
Things We Liked
- Great for betta fish
- Digital thermostat
- Easy to set the temperature
- Shatterproof and durable titanium
- Has suction cups
- Wide temperature range
- Automatic shut-off
Things We Didn’t Like
- Should be kept far away from fish to reduce the risk of getting fried
boxtech Submersible 100W Aquarium Heater
As a submersible aquarium heater, this one is also at 100 watts and is rated for 110-volt systems.
It has a 4-foot power cord and has a dial for its thermostat for easy control.
The range of the thermostat is from 68 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is also made from explosion-proof quartz material and its thermostat has a shield to keep it water-resistant.
It comes with a suction cup for easy attachment and you can submerge it as far as 19 inches into your aquarium.
Things We Liked
- Explosion-proof quartz material
- Silicone suction cup
- Compact design
- Easy controls for beginners
Things We Didn’t Like
- Awkward length of the wiring
Things to Consider
In choosing a heater for 20 gallon aquarium, you may want to know the following:
Why should fish tanks have a heater?
There are many benefits to having a heater in your fish tank:
- It helps them live longer. Fish who do not get the proper heated temperature in their fish tank may be susceptible to either freezing to death or being fried if the temperature is too high. Just like people, fish need a specific temperature depending on how they used to live in the waters.
- It regulates their ecosystem. Fish who are in a regulated temperature can also have more beneficial bacteria that are thriving along with them. This can help them to stay clean because these bacteria can eat off mold that could live on your tank. Fish also eat most of these beneficial bacteria as food.
How do I choose the best tank heater?
Tank heaters can be tricky if you don’t know what criteria you are looking for. Therefore, we prepared some factors for you:
- Aquarium size. A 20-gallon tank may require you to get something that has 100 watts or so (as mentioned above). In the same way, the tank size you have, which is usually measured in gallons, is a criterion as to what wattage you should get for it. Higher wattages are better and more suitable for larger fish tanks, such as those above 50 gallons.
- Budget. Always consider your budget but don’t compromise your fish’s safety by buying a cheap brand with bad reviews. Make sure what you get is what you pay for.
- Climate. Not all climates have extra chilly winters and hot summers, so it varies. If you need more heating aspects from your heater, consider one that is more durable and more branded so that it doesn’t fail you in the middle of the winter. If you have more summers then it’s okay to just lower the temperature of your heater.
- Fish species. Most tropical fish such as the betta may require a specific warm temperature in order for them to thrive and survive. The same is true for all fish species that can be kept in an aquarium. Ask around or do some research about the fish you want to warm up safely so they don’t fry or freeze.
- Safety features. No one wants an exploding fish tank heater! Choose milky quartz instead of glass material since that is much safer in terms of durability. Or better yet, consider a titanium one so it doesn’t really make you worry – but of course, house it in plastic to avoid your fish getting fried.
Another safety feature to look for in fish tank heaters would be the automatic shut-off. Imagine your heater being left alone to rising temperature and you wake up to see your fish are dead! To prevent this dreadful scenario, consider one that shuts off when the temperature reaches a target number. In fact, you may even want one that has a timer.
What’s the ideal wattage I should use for 20 gallons of water in a tank?
The best wattage for a 20-gallon tank should be around 100 to 150 watts of power. Keep in mind that this may not be exactly as you still need to adjust the temperature depending on how many fish you have and how many structures, plants, and other things you have in your tank.
How do I use a heater for a fish tank?
Here are the simple steps to use a heater for a fish tank:
- Assemble it. Refer to the instructional manual and set up the fish tank heater as required. This could mean putting together the suction cups, the wire, and all other items that are needed for the heater. Make sure you pay extra attention to the electric parts to avoid being a victim of electric shock.
- Submerge it in water. Do not plug it yet when you submerge it in water to avoid accidents! Follow the user’s manual on how to submerge it. Some units are not totally submersible but if it is, you can just plunge it in without a problem.
- Turn it on. Just plug in the unit and turn it on according to the user manual.
- Wait for the temperature to rise or set. It may take some time for the temperature of the whole water to change. It also depends on the climate or weather you have. In the case of a 20-gallon tank, it usually doesn’t take too long, since it is small to the medium-sized tank.
- Constantly monitor it. Grab another thermometer and constantly measure the temperature so that it goes hand in hand with the thermostat that’s included with the unit. Don’t rely on it – check and double-check since some units could fail in their thermostat. This is to avoid the fish suffering from bad temperatures.
Where should I put up the tank heater?
Any fish tank heater is best placed where the filter is located. This is so that the filter flows outward and the tank heater heats it up and voila – instant hot water! It saves your units time, effort, and electricity in the long run.
Unlike larger tanks, you can just put up one 100-watt heater in your 20-gallon tank. If you want to upgrade to a 40-gallon tank, you may want to buy two (2) 100-watt heaters placed on either side so that you get a uniform heat distribution at most.
What problems can happen to my tank heater?
Of course, all fish products could have faced a problem sooner or later, such as the following:
- Your heater breaks. If this happens then, next time, consider putting up a heater guard. This will keep the heater in place and stable. They are usually made of plastic material.
- Your heater’s thermostat doesn’t read properly. Always double check your thermostat and place a second thermometer in the water to make sure it is the right temperature. You could be costing your fishes’ lives if you don’t monitor with at least another thermometer at hand!
- Adjustments during the summer. While aquarium heaters are generally built for the winter season, if they still need to be used in the summer then you should consider adding more cooling techniques to your fish, such as ventilation, removing the lid, turning off the lights, a fan blower, ice packs, and more.
Conclusion
Our top pick would be the UPETTOOLS Submersible Aquarium Heater because of its elegant design, coverage of the heating element with its casing, explosion-proof quartz, suction cups, indicator light, and auto shut-off. While its thermostat is not digital, it can still be easy to use overall.
Our other picks above are just as great but we chose this one due to its outer cover. Nonetheless, all of the products we mentioned can work well for any 20-gallon fish tank or aquarium just fine.