Heat Mats, Do They Work ?

[Goldfiinger]

Hi I don't know to much about them but I read somewhere that it is possible to get heat matts for fishtanks. The only ones I can find are for reptiles. So anyway basicaly my question is can you use heat matts in fish aquariums and do they work ?

 

[wendywc]

I've never heard of heat mats for fish tanks, just heaters.

 

[PinkyPerky]

I think it depends on the size of the tank. I've got one for my 4 gallon betta tank as the room doesn't get that cold, but I didn't want my betta to get too chilly.

I don't think anything bigger than a 5 gallon would benifit from a heat mat.

 

[Pheonix]

heat mats are actually very effective heating options, they spread an even heat all over the tank as compared to a heater which radiates out from a small part.

the only problem really is cost, for a small tank they are cost effective but as you get bigger they price goes up considerably and you normally need to get a separate controller for them again costing more

HTH
Andy

 

[voo]

PinkyPerky, this might seem a stupid question, but do you put the heat mat in the tank or underneath it? Are you using reptile heat mats or a special one for aquariums?

 

[Pheonix]

Voo, the heat mat goes underneath the tank not in it, not a silly question i did wonder myself at first, there are specific ones for tropical tanks but my friend uses a reptile one on his tank with no worries

 

[voo]

Thanks for clearing that up
Do the heat mats give off much heat? Do you need to put anything underneath them to protect the surface below? Also, how do you control the temperature?

 

[Pheonix]

depends on the type of matt you get, i would still recomend putting a polystyreen sheet under the matt just to smooth out any bumps under the tank

they give of great heat over a wider area so they are very efficient, again depending on the mate you get some come with connectors to connect into a electronic controller of some descripition, this can be very handy if you get a controller with a temp probe on it as well as it will turn the matt on and off as required to keep the temp constant, others just come with a regular thermostat on the end of a cable

 

[PinkyPerky]

PinkyPerky, this might seem a stupid question, but do you put the heat mat in the tank or underneath it? Are you using reptile heat mats or a special one for aquariums?

My betta is an a Pet Pals Pen from Pets @ Home and the reptile heating mat is under the tank.

 

[myreptile]

Hi,
Here is only reptile heat products. are you interested? if yes, so you can visit this link!Reptile supplies

 

[Miles_hot]

I have a heater wire under / in the substrate which is supposed to cause circulation through the sand substrate reducing pockets etc. Hopefully it will work but frankly I'm unlikely to.know