What do you look for when buying an aquarium heater ?

[guppyguy]

Aquarium store employees will ask if you need a heater with your tank purchase and most of the time you do. Many people believe that all tropical aquarium fish need an aquarium heater but is not always the case. But for you personally what are the features you look for when buying a heater ?

[guppyguy]

For me personally I look for 3 things. One I need temperature control as not all species will do well at those preset 78 degree heaters that I am not a fan of anyways. And there maybe various other reasons you need the temp above or below those preset heaters. Two I need a heater that is fully submersible, as there my preferred kind of heaters and the only ones that work for my set up's. And three I need good quality and long life. Even thought most heaters recommend changing them every 2 years of constant use. A good quality brand will last longer than that and is much less likely to break or fail. When it come to aquarium heaters it is best to buy the best you can afford.

[phish]

I've got one of those preset at 78 degrees for my Betta. It's the tetra brand and it keeps it right at 78 for the 4 gallons of water. All my others are controllable with the dial. I actually go for looks and I find the Fluval ones with the reflective technology are pleasing to the eye. They are sleek and shiny. Also, I always buy the one step higher in terms of wattage req'd for the volume of water. For example... I have a 300 watt in the 55 gallon which is good for up to 80 gallons. Going by manufacturers rating, I could get by with a 200watt. This way, the heater works less and the water temp stays more constant.

[jeffyguy]

When u look for heaters cost is alway the determining factor, but it does have to be submersible and if possible all black. It's easier to hide that way since I paint all the backs of my take black