We all want the best heater we can get for our aquariums. Here is a list of things to consider when choosing a heater to help you get the perfect fit for your tank.

The Perfect-Sized Heater
The first thing to consider when purchasing an aquarium heater is the sizing. If your heater is undersized, then it will not be able to keep your aquarium at the proper temperature. If your heater is oversized, then it will turn on and off frequently, leading to premature failure. Perhaps even more importantly, if a heater fails in the on position, you do not want it to be oversized, or it will quickly cook your fish.'

We recommend three watts of heating power per gallon for a five-degree temperature increase. For example, a 30-gallon tank that only needs a five-degree temperature boost can use a 100-watt heater. A 200-gallon tank that needs a ten-degree boost will need 1,200 watts of heating power.

The Most Durable Heater
It is not uncommon for a heater to crack or for the glued seams on heaters to fail, so the heater either trips the breaker, cutting off power to your tank, or slowly leaks toxic metals into the tank, poisoning your animals. In our experience, the most durable heaters are those made of titanium. They are the least likely to crack or leach metals into the water.

The Most Accurate Heater
Accuracy is when the temperature the heater reads matches the actual temperature of the aquarium water. The best way to ensure that a heater is accurate is to buy a calibratable heater. This feature allows you to manually adjust the temperature the heater reads to match a thermometer you trust. This ensures the heater turns on and off at the correct times.

The Longest Lasting Heater
All heaters have moving parts that will wear out over time. When they finally wear out, the heater will get stuck in either the on position or the off position. A stuck heater can kill all your tank's inhabitants, especially if it fails in the on position. Our preferred solution is to purchase a heater with an external heater controller. This means you can replace the controller without replacing the heater. This will let you run the heater far longer than units where the controller is integrated into the heater. We recommend replacing your heater at the end of the warranty period or every two years.

And The Winner Is?
Our recommended heater is the IceCap Titanium Heaters with the IceCap Heater Controller. These heating elements come in 100-watt to 400-watt sizes, and one controller can power up to two 400-watt heating elements, so there is a right-sized heater for all common tank sizes. The titanium heating element is extra durable and will last far longer than traditional glass heaters. The controller is calibratable, so you can ensure it matches your trusted thermometer. Because the controller is separate from the heater, you can periodically replace it and keep your heating elements in use for many years.