GeraldtonWA Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I was following a link on someone's post the other day and came upon a site that sells "heat wrap" and recommends this as one means for heating aquariums. I can't find the original link but I found a similar product on ebay. You can purchase a version for Australian voltage. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Repi-Warm-Reptile-Pet-Warming-Heat-Mat-Snake-Lizard-Turtle-3-Sizes-/230752519997?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item7b692f59fe It looks different than the mats I have seen elsewhere - cheaper and you can order the length that you require. Does anyone have any insight/experience about this product? How would it work compared to reptile heating cords or similar? My aim is to avoid a heater in each small tank (or using a sump). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadoh Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I know someone who has something similar to heat the small tanks she keeps her bettas in during winter. From memory, it keeps the tanks at roughly around the low 20's. There is no thermostat or power "dimmer" switch, so they are going 24/7. Not sure how it affects the power bill... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yanagi Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 We've currently using a heat mat on a divided betta tank at work. 7.5 watts, runs at all times. Including hot days so you have to remember to unplug it on hot days or you can cook your fish, then remember to plug it back in when it cools down. It's up to you to decide if you want to put in that much effort. I much rather just run small heaters, or rather a sump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadoh Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I think you can buy a thermostat that you plug your heat mat into, then have a probe sitting in the water, but if you're going to that much trouble, it would be easier to get a couple of heaters :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
les Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I think razzi used a mat with a thermostate the type you use for reptiles, I think there was a few probs with the temp consistency but you would have to ask him cheers Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bettarazzi Posted April 19, 2012 Report Share Posted April 19, 2012 I use reptile heating cords with a separate thermostat. The reason I prefer this to individual heaters is that I can heat multiple containers with a single cord. It's also hard to find heaters small enough to fit the six litre tanks that I keep my breeders in. I'm currently heating 16 tanks using 4 heating cords operating off 2 thermostats. I could probably get away with just one thermostat but there is a bit of temperature variation at the different levels. The other thing I like is that the heating cord is a very simple device. Just a coated wire really. It doesn't matter whether it's in or out of water so can survive my absentmindedness in the fishroom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazell Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 This is what we use for our bearded dragon. Would it be alright for fish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeraldtonWA Posted April 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 I use reptile heating cords with a separate thermostat. The reason I prefer this to individual heaters is that I can heat multiple containers with a single cord. It's also hard to find heaters small enough to fit the six litre tanks that I keep my breeders in. I'm currently heating 16 tanks using 4 heating cords operating off 2 thermostats. I could probably get away with just one thermostat but there is a bit of temperature variation at the different levels. The other thing I like is that the heating cord is a very simple device. Just a coated wire really. It doesn't matter whether it's in or out of water so can survive my absentmindedness in the fishroom. Does this system keep the tanks warm enough in winter Bettarazzi? The idea of avoiding multiple heaters and their cords is attractive. What do you do about filtration ? Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilly Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 Now you've got me curious. Do you just wrap the chord around your tanks, Bettarazzi, or do you run them actually through the water? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bettarazzi Posted April 20, 2012 Report Share Posted April 20, 2012 Does this system keep the tanks warm enough in winter Bettarazzi? Definitely. With the thermostat controlling the temp the cords are on as long as it takes for the tanks to heat up. But this needs to be put into context of my fishroom. Although the room isn't heated, there are quite a few heated tanks which means that the room eventually does heat up. It's not like they're out in a large, uninsulated garage or anything like that. What do you do about filtration ? These tanks are currently unfiltered. But I do have some small sponge filters which will fit in there. I'm planning on setting up permanent siphons for these tanks so that I can drain and fill them more easily. Although I coped without automation on these tanks all of last year. I don't think the sponge filters will be coming bank any time soon. Do you just wrap the chord around your tanks, Bettarazzi, or do you run them actually through the water? No. I run the cords up and down the shelf about 4 times, hold them in place with masking tape, then just sit the tanks directly on top of the cords like this. I use reptile heating cords similar to this and control it with a thermostat like this one. I actually attach a power board to the thermostat and then 3 heating cords are plugged into the power board. And the sensor goes into one of the tanks. I just don't use the heater that comes with it and I had to buy a universal power adaptor to connect the 3-pin powerboard to the thermostat which only has 2 pins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeraldtonWA Posted April 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks for being so willing to share your set up Bettarazzi - the pic helped greatly to clarify how ur set up operates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournebetta Posted April 21, 2012 Report Share Posted April 21, 2012 I had one of those heat mats - but without a temp gague like razzi's it's really just "warmer" and I found my tanks (a series of 9 lt) only sat on top and got to 20-24 x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts