How to heat a micro tank?

[chaostactics]

How are y'all heating tanks under 1 gallon? Ifld really rather not use a temp controller. I'm not super worried about a heater breaking in the off position but I feel like a 5 watt heater might fry a 0.5-1 gal tank at 74-76 ambient if the tank broke in the on position.

 

[TheDragonsReef]

5w should be fine, they still have internal temp control so itll shut off when it gets too hot. If you want to be extra safe you can use an ink bird on top of it for more precise control

 

[fran-cyber]

my aquarium is 49 liters the temperature in Indonesia is very hot, it reaches 31 degrees and I don't use the temperature setting

 

[Tired]

Inkbird controller is the safest option. IMO, every aquarium heater should be plugged into an Inkbird- it's cheap, easy to set up, and pretty much guarantees your fish won't die an awful death to the heater failing on. Every heater can fail, but it's way less likely that your heater will fail on /and/ your Inkbird will fail in a way that allows it to go unchecked. As long as you make sure the temperature probe stays in the tank.

 

[chaostactics]

my aquarium is 49 liters the temperature in Indonesia is very hot, it reaches 31 degrees and I don't use the temperature setting

None of that is helpful but thanks for the effort I guess...

 

[chaostactics]

Inkbird controller is the safest option. IMO, every aquarium heater should be plugged into an Inkbird- it's cheap, easy to set up, and pretty much guarantees your fish won't die an awful death to the heater failing on. Every heater can fail, but it's way less likely that your heater will fail on /and/ your Inkbird will fail in a way that allows it to go unchecked. As long as you make sure the temperature probe stays in the tank.

Tank will be at work. I can't afford to have that alarm go off while I'm not there.

My Fluval V build does feature an Ink bird tho.

 

[Tired]

Inkbirds don't have an alarm. If the tank gets too hot, the Inkbird cuts the power to the heater until it cools down. Problem solved. They also have a temperature readout on a length of wire, which is easy to put in a convenient place and check.

 

[chaostactics]

Inkbirds don't have an alarm. If the tank gets too hot, the Inkbird cuts the power to the heater until it cools down. Problem solved. They also have a temperature readout on a length of wire, which is easy to put in a convenient place and check.

My ink bird has an alarm and it's loud as hell. I run one on my Fluval V and have tested it out both intentionally and accidentally.

 

[Tired]

Really? Mine just shuts it off. Maybe we have different kinds.

Either way, it shuts the heater off without any input from you, no need to be available.

 

[NoahLikesFish]

How are y'all heating tanks under 1 gallon? Ifld really rather not use a temp controller. I'm not super worried about a heater breaking in the off position but I feel like a 5 watt heater might fry a 0.5-1 gal tank at 74-76 ambient if the tank broke in the on position.

your led and your pump should make enough light imo. seriouslyfish has an article on heating, it isnt really necessary as logn as your tank is more than 72 ish. supposedly cold water encourages phyto development also.

 

[brandon429]

I ran a common 50 watt submersible heater positioned sideways in a half gallon sps reef for 3 years it worked great. it didnt overheat anything

 

[Dcal]

My ink bird has an alarm and it's loud as hell. I run one on my Fluval V and have tested it out both intentionally and accidentally.

mine has one as well ssuuuuupppperrr loud

 

[Dcal]

I ran a common 50 watt submersible heater positioned sideways in a half gallon sps reef for 3 years it worked great. it didnt overheat anything

brandon has tons of experience with picos (super cool as well check them out) he'll steer you in right directions