Graham 0 Posted November 7, 2005 Check this out: http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F4...6/Itemdy00.aspx I have one in my 3g Betta tank and two in my 12g Killisfish tank - only been one week - I will add a flollow-up review once I have used them longer: I like that these are flat heating elements - I had a molly once, Spartacus, who died by wedging himself between the heater the tank wall - it was awful! I never want to see a fish burned by a glass tube heater again! This fits flush agaisnt whatever surface you put it against so no fish can get stuck! Also, during a water change, if the heater is not turned off, the glass can shetter! Let's not even think about that one! This heater functions safely in or out of water (althoug it is intended for underwater use and it is not recommended to operate in dry environments -it will be perfectly safe for the amount time it takes to do a WC). Also, low heat output means it is safe for aquarium animals and plants. And, not nearly as important, but aesthetically, this is a nicer option - it can even be placed on the floor under the gravel! For bare-bottom tanks, it can be placed anywhere you might be able to camo. it - like behind some plants! And, it is perfect for people with black backgrounds (like me)! The price is great! For this prive, if the heat is not enough, I can just add another one! Besides, it is actually hard to find the right heater for small tanks - most are for minimum 10g tanks - so this gives some nice alternatives - like Betta tanks! The only drawback is that the heat is not adjustable - you have to keep an eye on your thermometer and plug-in or unplug as needed - that said, look at the price! I am very pleased with these so far! Anyone ever used them?! This post has been promoted to an article 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koko 14,340 Posted December 26, 2005 I have to agree I use this on my 5 gal tank for my frys and its great it has hold there temp at 76F with out a hitch.....Great little heater for those hard to deal small tanks 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kissy 1 Posted January 8, 2006 (edited) Where was this when I was looking for a heater? I suppose sticking it on a plastic 3 gallon wouldn't be best, but 7.5 watts is probably better than the 25 watt hydor I got for much more money lol. Edited January 8, 2006 by Kissy 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
koko 14,340 Posted January 8, 2006 I dont think it would hurt a plastic container since it doesnt get very hot at all but you could try it out 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bak2it 4 Posted January 9, 2006 Without a doubt. the Hydor Mini heaters are a great option for heating tiny tanks, but for slightly larger tanks in the 5-7 GA range, I think the 25 watt Hydor heater is a better option. The thermostat on the 25 watt heater will release you from the chore of monitoring tank temperature and will maintain the temperature of the tank regardless of the fluctuations of the temperature in the room where the tank is located. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham 0 Posted January 9, 2006 Hi all - the mini-heater is safe for acrylic or glass tank use! I agree that for larger tanks the thermostat regulated heaters are better in general - I had already purchased these and stuck them in the tank (the price got me!) in the 12g so it was more trouble than it was worth to me to return them but if I had to do it over again I might prefer the thremostat model! However, the digital thermometer I have on the 12g has a high and low temperature alert! I can set it to within a few degrees range - an alarm beeps when the high or low has been reached. In this way, I can regulate the temperature without the thremostat and less worries but it still takes some little work. It is a nice safety net in the absence of the thermostat. Without this feature on the thermometer, I would definately want the thermostat-regulated model! Inexperience has yet again led to creativity! But the mini in the smaller tanks is a dream! Coupled with a thermometer like the opne metioned above, it is even better but this little heater doesn't get very hot so is nice and safe, for the most part! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bak2it 4 Posted January 9, 2006 Heck... with a digital thermometer, those little Hydor Minis could even be used to heat a 1 GA Betta bowl. Hydor's PTC (Positive Thermal Coefficient) film is really the best type of heating element for small heaters. Even if your fish lays against the heater, they're not going to get burned. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fisharenewtome 0 Posted January 30, 2006 I'm using one in my 2.5 gal mini bow with great results! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
x-Lucy-Fish-x 1 Posted January 30, 2006 im confuzed here.. no thermostat!? how can you keep the heat regulated, you cant sit in front of you thermomitor all day and all night!? i was just about to order one of those.. but.. yea 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bak2it 4 Posted January 30, 2006 The Hydor Mini 7.5 watt heaters will raise the temperature in your tank ABOUT 5 degrees over the ambient temperature of your tank. If the temperature of the room in your home, where the tank is located, remains stable the temperature of your tank will remain stable. Where you can run into problems with these heaters is if the temperature where the tank is located varies a lot. For example: a room that is 76 degrees during the day but falls to 68 degrees during the night. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
x-Lucy-Fish-x 1 Posted January 30, 2006 oh right, so it sort of does have a thermostat.. but you cant control it.. so in the winter my betta tank (2 gal) goes down to about 19C in the night (this is why im desperate for another heater!) so it would be about 24 in the night and eeermm.. its at about 22 in the day so about 27..? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bak2it 4 Posted January 31, 2006 Yes, that's basically how the Hydor Minis work... They're always on. The only temperature control you have is pulling the plug if the water gets too warm. You would have to install one in your tank to find out what the actual temperature rise would be. It should be about 2 1/2 -3 degrees Celsius. So if you home drops to 19 at night the Mini should keep the tank at about 21.7. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trinket 108 Posted February 1, 2006 I don't think this heater would work for me as I live in a place where night and day temps are drastically opposed. However I have been looking all over for a heater that is flat (under the gravel would be great) as I too scarred a fish that got wedged behind a heater. I am interested in the Hydor's PTC? cover that Bak2it mentioned -is that somthing that you can only buy to match a particular Hydor. heater shape/size? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bak2it 4 Posted February 1, 2006 Hydor's PTC (Positive Thermal Coefficient) film is really the best type of heating element for small heaters. Even if your fish lays against the heater, they're not going to get burned. I am interested in the Hydor's PTC? cover that Bak2it mentioned -is that somthing that you can only buy to match a particular Hydor. heater shape/size? Hydor's PTC film isn't a heater cover. It's the type of heating element that Hydor uses in their heaters. Most heater manufactures use a metallic resistance element to heat the water. This type of heater element is made up of a metal coil wound onto a ceramic support. This type of heater element can become very hot if it stays on for more than a few minutes. PTC resistors are a new generation of heating elements. The elements in this type of heater are made up of a base material which has a resisting material coating on it. This coating has a self-regulating characteristics which keeps it from over heating. A couple of common items that use PTC resistor heating elements are ceramic space heaters and automobile window defrosters. When used in an aquarium heater, these elements will not over heat even when the heater is running when out of the water. And they will not get hot enough to burn a fish. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trinket 108 Posted February 1, 2006 That was very interesting thankyou.Having a heater like this then, would obviate the need for further expense- a heater cover. Neat. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
