Under the tank reptile heaters, wil they work for fish?

Ben James · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I posted this on on just freshwater, but I think it needed to go in
this group.

I had a gecko for 2 years who recently died, so I decided to get into
fish instead of reptiles, but I wanted to use what I had to stay
economical. I have a 10 gal tank, two reptile hides that I'll use for
fish hides, thermomiters, and an undertank reptile heat pad. It is
simply a pad that was stuck to the outside, bottom of the tank that
provides heat to the hot side of the tank (it only covers 1/3 of the
tank). It is 90 F on the surface of the thin mat of carpet on top the
glass area where it is underneath the glass. Once I get a UGF, water,
and gravel, it won't get that hot on the surface of hte gravel.

I was wondering if anyone had used this as a heater for a fish tank
before. Let me know. Some one earlier was worried about it cracking
the glass, but this heater only goes to 95 F and has been on the
underneath side of the tank for two years now and hasn't shown any
signs of cracking. THanks,

Ben

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>misc

RedForeman ©® · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 339

> I was wondering if anyone had used this as a heater for a fish tank
> before. Let me know. Some one earlier was worried about it cracking
> the glass, but this heater only goes to 95 F and has been on the
> underneath side of the tank for two years now and hasn't shown any
> signs of cracking. THanks,
>
> Ben

My fiance keeps blue phase white's tree frogs, so I know what your talking
about, but honestly I dont' think it would add an significant heat to the
water, as I think the water would be moving too fast for the invection to
work, and you'll probably need a regular heater instead....

~Vicki ~ · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 172

I also keep gecko's and snakes and use the under tank heaters. I have
never had a bit of trouble with them either, but I have to agree that
they do not put out enough heat for the typical tropical fish. Try some
of the fish that like cooler water, unless you want to pick up a small
heater for your tank.

Just make sure you wash the things that you had in with your gecko very
well before you add them to the fish tank.

Vicki

Jim Esler · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Ben James wrote:
>
> I posted this on on just freshwater, but I think it needed to go in
> this group.
>
> I had a gecko for 2 years who recently died, so I decided to get into
> fish instead of reptiles, but I wanted to use what I had to stay
> economical. I have a 10 gal tank, two reptile hides that I'll use for
> fish hides, thermomiters, and an undertank reptile heat pad. It is
> simply a pad that was stuck to the outside, bottom of the tank that
> provides heat to the hot side of the tank (it only covers 1/3 of the
> tank). It is 90 F on the surface of the thin mat of carpet on top the
> glass area where it is underneath the glass. Once I get a UGF, water,
> and gravel, it won't get that hot on the surface of hte gravel.
>
> I was wondering if anyone had used this as a heater for a fish tank
> before. Let me know. Some one earlier was worried about it cracking
> the glass, but this heater only goes to 95 F and has been on the
> underneath side of the tank for two years now and hasn't shown any
> signs of cracking. THanks,

What is the wattage of the heater? If it is less than 75 watts, it
wouldn't have a chance. My main concern is that you would have no
thermostatic control for this kind of heater like you would with a
submerged heater. You would also need good water flow over the heated
glass, which the UGF may or may not provide.

A small heater really is not very expensive. Reusing a heater that is
not designed for the purpose you are putting it to may be penny wise,
etc.
--
Jim Esler