Top Five Beginner Heaters

Updated 2024

Heaters, heaters, and more heaters! While they may seem straightforward, there are some differences to consider. You’ve got your glass, plastic, and titanium ones, each with its own perks – as long as they’re well-made and remain unbroken.

Personally, I’ve mainly stuck with glass heaters throughout my entire saltwater aquarium journey. Sure, I’ve had a few accidents and broken some along the way, but I love how quickly and efficiently they heat the water.

Now, here’s a crucial tip: always get the right size, or better yet, buy two that fit your tank perfectly. No matter how well-made they are, all heaters will eventually fail, and you don’t want your livestock at risk. With a larger heater, you risk overheating, and with a smaller one, you risk freezing your fish on a cold winter night.

Here’s my best advice: grab two perfectly sized heaters, set one at 78 degrees and the other at 74 degrees as a backup. And if you really want peace of mind, invest in a cost-effective temperature controller. This Inkbird model is my top choice – it’s truly worth it!

For those on a budget, a glass thermometer is the way to go. Personally, I rely on Eheim Jager heaters for my display tanks, but there are a lot of good glass heaters out there.

Keep in mind that most thermometers may need calibration or could be off by 1-2 degrees, so it’s a good idea to opt for a cost-effective thermometer.

If you’re concerned about the fragility of glass heaters, you might want to explore other options that are less prone to breaking. Enjoy your search for the perfect thermometer!

5. BRS Titanium Heater Element

When the BRS titanium heater came out, if I’m not mistaken, there were a few issues with quality.  But I believe those have long since been fixed.  But you do need a controller with these heaters, as they don’t self-regulate, so make sure you pick up something like the inkbird to control them.

Key Features:
– Shatterproof
– Fully Submersible
– Includes Suction Cup Mounts
– Corrosion Resistant Titanium Body
– Generous 6-Foot Power Cord
– Backed by a 3-Year BRS Warranty

Here are the recommended sizes from BRS for each wattage:


– 100W: Up to 40 gallons
– 200W: Up to 75 gallons
– 300W: Up to 100 gallons
– 600W: Up to 200 gallons

4. AquaEl Ultra Heater

A product shot on a white background of three different sized aquael ceramic heaters. Each one is made of black plastic, has a suction cup on the back, and a control dial near the top with led lights that show the temperature.

I have used the AquaEl heater (and by the way, is it pronounced aqua “L”, or is it meant to blend together like “akwel”?).  It’s slim, easy to control, and fits nicely into rear filtration chambers.  It’s also much more sturdy than your usual glass heater.

These look quite similar to a similar heater made by Cobalt, I think it was (or is) called the neo-therm, and I remember seeing all sorts of posts of them breaking.  But I have not seen the same from these.  If you need to save some space and don’t mind paying more than a standard glass heater, give these a shot.

3. Innovative Marine Helio PTC Smart Heater

When this system came out, I was one of the first to get my hands on it.  I think I made a video for this way back in my Marine Depot days!  Hold on, let me find it and link it below right now!

It’s a little bit confusing because there are really two separate systems here.  The IM Helio PTC system is an all in one system that uses special connectors so you can’t use any ol’ heater.  But the Helio Universal controller is just another controller like the inkbird, except probably higher quality!

The PTC system is expensive, but it has really cool technology in the heater itself which is quite impressive!  I still use one of these on my 40 gallon IM tank and love it!

2. Sicce Scuba Contactless Aquarium Heater

A new product from Sicce, I’ll buy it, because I love Sicce and I know they not only make great products, but they stand behind them as well.  This is an interesting concept, and not quite sure what the benefit is, but rather than set the temperature using a dial or buttons, there is an RFID chip in the heater that can connect to an app on your phone when you are nearby, like close enough for credit card tapping sort of thing.  I haven’t tested one out yet, so I’m not sure how close you actually have to be.  

It’s a glass heater, so nothing special there. Just choose the size you need from the list below.

  • 50W- 10-15 gallon
  • 100W- 20-35 gallon
  • 150W- 31-45 gallon
  • 200W- 40-60 gallon
  • 250W- 53-75 gallon
  • 300W- 65-90 gallon
  • 400W- 80-125 gallon

1. Eheim Jager TruTemp Heater 50W-300W ~ $24-$33

These Eheim Jager heaters have been a solid choice for me, having owned about 10 of them over time. They’ve never failed me, except when I accidentally drop them and they shatter (my own clumsy fault!). On the bright side, they are quite affordable.

As with any product, you’ll find mixed reviews on Amazon, but that’s the case with all heaters out there. Eventually, every heater will face wear and tear, and no heater is perfectly accurate. That’s why I always emphasize the same points:

1. Buy the correct size heater for your tank.
2. Invest in a second backup heater and set it two degrees cooler.
3. Consider using the Bayite Temperature Controller to safeguard your precious livestock.

These Eheim Jager heaters are fully submersible and come with a calibration dial for a more accurate reading. They are great heaters offered at a decent price, making them an excellent choice.

Available sizes and their corresponding capacity:

– 50 watts: up to 16 gallons
– 75 watts: up to 26 gallons
– 100 watts: up to 40 gallons
– 125 watts: up to 53 gallons
– 150 watts: up to 79 gallons
– 200 watts: up to 106 gallons
– 250 watts: up to 159 gallons
– 300 watts: up to 264 gallons

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