Page 1,
2, 3, 4
[ Page 2 ] (Decor, Equipment, and Substrate Page)
Heaters
- Substrate Heating System: These are cables running
underneath the substrate and run 24/7. Heat is measured according to the
amount of watts, which in my case at 20 watts, which can be used for up
to a 50 gal. as well. A good reason to heat the substrate is to
- 1.) Aerates the soil: Will provide more oxygen for bacteria and create warm roots that will take up more nutrients for a healthy growth in plants.
- 2.) Increase water circulation: = less work, in terms of vacuuming soil every week, because with the substrate warmer then the water, as warm water rises the cooler water descends. This equals flow of water through the substrate, which eliminates the need to vacuum soil and allows more bacteria to live in substrate.
- Conclusion: Unheated substrate < Heat in substrate
= more water circulation = More oxygen in soil = more bacteria* = healthier
aquarium. | Cost under $70 USD | [Produced by Red
Sea] More.
- *Bacteria needs oxygen to live; healthy growth is a good thing
in soil. but could cause problems if bacteria is free flowing is water,
which could cause fish to become diseased. To eliminate this effect
I added a UV sterilizer.
- Bacteria breaks down waste and turns waste into useful matter.
- *Bacteria needs oxygen to live; healthy growth is a good thing
in soil. but could cause problems if bacteria is free flowing is water,
which could cause fish to become diseased. To eliminate this effect
I added a UV sterilizer.
- Water heater: Heater at 200 watts is fully submerged
type and placed at the bottom of my tank for now. Required: 5 watts per
gallon, which in my case = ~100 watts. | Cost under $32 USD | [Produced
by Hagon
] More.
- Why the extra watts? Because at the time the 200 watts was cheaper then the 100 watts heater. Note: it is always better to have a to large of heater then one that’s to small. It is also a good idea to have 2 heats instead of one, just incase one of then fails ether on or off, it will not effect the water temp as greatly, but the cost is about double. This is recommenced for much larger applications, such for example 200-gallon aquarium or greater.
- Non-submerged vs. Fully submerged heater, non-submerged
heaters are the hang on the side of the aquarium. They need to be kept
about the water line at all times. They are much cheaper then submerged
kind and setup requires dry hands. Fully submerged heaters on the other
hand must be submerged under water primarily most of the time. Submerged
heater can be place anywhere in the tank. They do have a water line requirement
as well, which someone can have the option to set temperature without
getting hand wet. Can be placed in sump or refugium, as non-submerged
can not. Recommended position of heater.
- Non-submerged: Place near outflow.
- Fully submerged Place in or near inflow and in sump or refugium tank if possible.
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Copyright © 2006 Tim Bonneville
