Good heater brands?

[cliffordsmom]

I've been searching online for a few days to find a decent (and affordable) 50W heater for my 5g. My roommate likes to keep the windows open at night, and our room gets SUPER cold...which does not agree well with my poor fish.

Anyway, the reviews I've read on almost every heater have been pretty mixes- so I thought I'd ask the experts!

What do you all suggest? Also, I really can't afford to spend more than $20...so that poses a bit of a problem.

[waterdog]

First thing is a 25 watt heater is all that is needed for a 5 gallon tank. I use aquecon heaters and never had a problem!

[MSG]

Define = SUPER cold?

Super cold to ME.... would be around 50 degrees F.

Not all heaters perform as advertised. Some are less efficient @ heating than others.

If the tank is located in a room that's kept below 60 degrees a 25W ADJUSTABLE heater may work @ the highest temperature setting, but 50W ADJUSTABLE would definitely work better.

Do monitor the heater and be aware it could possibly overheat your tank if you're not careful about the placement.

A tank like a 5G is prone to overheat or have cold spots if you mount the heater in a bad location when there's little to no water movement.

[aemaki09]

My favorite heaters are Eheim jäger and hydor theo, which are pretty affordable on amazon and very reliable.

I also use a top fin 25w in my 10 gallon right now and it does the job and is cheap, so that'd be a good choice if you want to get something local

[Matilda]

I have this heater & it works great, my house is pretty chilly too. I keep the temps between 60-68. The house, not the tank!

[Otterfun]

Aqueon 50W for my 5.5g tank filled with 5g of water.
Had it for a month and it it within +/- 1 degree F, so I am happy about it so far.

[cliffordsmom]

With the windows open, our room is getting to about high 50s, low 60s.
With my 10W heater, the thermometer shows the water to get as low as 70 and as high as 75 (with windows closed).

I've heard a lot of different opinions on whether a 25 or 50W is better for a 5g.
I ordered an adjustable 50W this morning. I read lots of reviews, and it looks like it's a good product.

What would be good placement? Should it be placed vertically or horizontally? I've seen people do it differently.

[efg321]

My favorite heaters are Eheim jäger, and have never had one fail. Yes I have broken them but only by my own fault!

[callistra]

Aqueon Pro, Jager, Marineland Visitherm.

Even a 50w will only bring temp about 15 degrees above room temp. You just can't keep bettas in a room that cold..