3 Gallon: Help me pick a heater?

Ok, guys, I have a problem. I have a 3 gallon tank. We all know how small heaters are obnoxiously over-priced, especially at pet stores. But its a farther drive at WalMart, where they have heaters I know are good for their price.

So hears my question.

Do I pay the same price for a heater that is slightly to small for my tank, and have less of a drive:




Or do I drive to WalMart and buy the heater I know is the right size, and rather versatile for the same price, but slightly larger in size:




Ooooor, is the 10-30, which is just pennies more, and very much so more useful, ok? Or is it too much...?




The other small heaters (at PetSmart) are way out of my price range. I would look at the PetLand site, but I'm not going to support a store that sells mill puppies when I don't have to.

 

I have the heater is your second link and so far it has done a decent job in my 2.5 gal betta tank. If I were to choose, I would go with numero duos.

 

My thought as well...

Maybe I should look into PetLand and see what they have....

 

I would just go to walmart and pick up the filter that is the right size for your tank.

 

I would just go to walmart and pick up the filter that is the right size for your tank.

Its a heater But that's what I'm thinking. It'll be a few weeks, while I work up the money, though.

Also, after asking this, I found a really cool LFS that I want to check out. They don't have their products listed on the site, but its less than a 10 minute drive, if I don't hit any red lights (yeah, right! Red lights love me -_-).

I'll check there, and report back

 

I've got the Marina Submersible on my 2gal hex and it works great. I also have a Tetra one (at least looks identical) that doesn't seem to work now. It used to when it was at my cousins, but I've never had it work.

 

I've always had Tetra Heaters, and they have always worked, though I do hear they are very hit-and-miss. I read the reviews on the Marina heater, and it seems to be a pretty bad heater :/ Its not pre-set, but rather heats to 7(?) degrees above room temp. I want a pre-set, or cheap but efficient adjustable, heater, as we change the temp in the room all the time.

I have another heater I want opinions on. I'll have to find it, though. I'm unsure what to think about it.

 

Here it is:



What do you guys think about it? I can't really find much on it, but I'm not sure where to look.

 

I have the same tank and I wanted a heater that was completely submersible, not preset, but I also wanted it in the tank vertically. It fits perfectly in this tank since it is only 7 inches in length. I have it on the back wall on the left where I am able to adjust it without any problems or taking it out of the tank. I left a bit of the top where the dial is stay out of the water. Its Hydor Theo Heater 25 watts: and it's $16.09 on Drs Foster.

I did have one of these a while back though that got too warm and the company did send me another. Since then I have not had a problem. But like any heater, I'm sure, anything can happen so it could have just been one that was defective. I have searched all over for one that is short in length, adjustable, 25 watts and this is all I could find.
My frogs just love hanging out on the suction cups behind it!

 

I have the same tank and I wanted a heater that was completely submersible, not preset, but I also wanted it in the tank vertically. It fits perfectly in this tank since it is only 7 inches in length. I have it on the back wall on the left where I am able to adjust it without any problems or taking it out of the tank. I left a bit of the top where the dial is stay out of the water. Its Hydor Theo Heater 25 watts: and it's $16.09 on Drs Foster.

I did have one of these a while back though that got too warm and the company did send me another. Since then I have not had a problem. But like any heater, I'm sure, anything can happen so it could have just been one that was defective. I have searched all over for one that is short in length, adjustable, 25 watts and this is all I could find.
My frogs just love hanging out on the suction cups behind it!

You have the Hydor Theo, or the one I linked? I think the one I linked, the Elite, might not actually fit in the tank, because of the hood (as you know, this tank can be a pain XD).

The only problem I have with ordering is that I still have to pay shipping...

 

No I have the Hydor Theo, the one I linked to and yes you would have to pay for shipping so it does bring the price up. I noticed in my local chain petstores that they did have the 50 watt not to long ago.
But for this tank the 25 watt is what I wanted. It really does fit nicely in there and where it has the opening in the back (the little trap door area) it's perfect. I can easily turn the dial up or down a degree without getting my hand wet and the cord just comes right out that area. I do like it and I especially like that is is short. I didn't want a heater touching the gravel so I have plenty of room between the top of the gravel and the bottom of the heater.

*I just checked and it would come to $22.08 with shipping

 

Hey, what about this one? =D



Its $7 and has really good reviews. I'm going to do some more research on it, and see what I can find

Now that I look at this, I hope its not the "stand" (little clear plastic/whatever strip it sits on) that's only $7.

Only one way to find out!

 

I saw that one before on line and according to the reviews on the page you linked to, one reviewer said that on this heater it says Hydor Theo on it??
Also when you click on the price it comes up to $31.34 for the heater and $6.39 for the holder.

 

I saw that one before on line and according to the reviews on the page you linked to, one reviewer said that on this heater it says Hydor Theo on it??
Also when you click on the price it comes up to $31.34

Its says $6.99-31.34. That's what I'm about to find out, if its the stand part, or if they really do make a small cheap heater. 'Cause PetCo sells a kit sort of thing with the heater, thermometer, and something else, and its expensive... I'm about to head out to PetSmart and see what the deal is. I need to run by the grocery store any way lol

 

I just added it to my cart to check the price and what I have above is what the prices came up with. Both parts sold separately. 31.34 for heater and 6.39 for holder.
Good luck let us know what you find out

 

I used to have a petland.....
About the tetra heaters you have to have a lid or it will not heat...I learned this the hard way

 

I have personal experience with the C25 and C10. They are great little heaters for the money. The only downfall is they only heat to 76* since they are preset.

 

I used to have a petland.....
About the tetra heaters you have to have a lid or it will not heat...I learned this the hard way

I have a hood. I've been using the Tetra heaters for 5 years. I how to baby them to make them work

I have personal experience with the C25 and C10. They are great little heaters for the money. The only downfall is they only heat to 76* since they are preset.

They don't ever heat to that. They heat to 4 degrees over the room temp, according to the box.


What do you all know about the Aqueon MinI Bow Heater? I saw a space for it on the shelf at PetSmart, but they were out. Its a 10 watt heater.

Heres the reviews I've found for the Aqueon heater. Not looking good for this one!

 

Not to hijack your thread Akari, but if you don't mind me asking, what tank do you have? I'm currently trying to find a 2-3 gallon tank to move my betta into. These are the two I'm trying to decide between:





Regardless of which one I get, I think I've decided to go with the heater Jancy suggested from Foster and Smith. I've had nothing but bad luck with the Tetra heaters from Walmart. Have you decided on a heater yet?

*EDIT* Just wanted to point out that both PetCo, PetMountain and Foster and Smith have this Hydor Theo heater but right now PetMountain has it the cheapest (at least to ship to me). Hope that helps!

 

Not to hijack your thread Akari, but if you don't mind me asking, what tank do you have? I'm currently trying to find a 2-3 gallon tank to move my betta into. These are the two I'm trying to decide between:





Regardless of which one I get, I think I've decided to go with the heater Jancy suggested from Foster and Smith. I've had nothing but bad luck with the Tetra heaters from Walmart. Have you decided on a heater yet?

No, you're good! I don't mind, as this thread has served its purpose for me lol

I had, at the time I made this thread, the MarineLand Eclipse System 3:



But I recently came across a Regent AquaTech Hex 5 at a thrift store:



This is a tank made by MarineLand (and actually, the one in the link is the MarineLand one), but make a bit cheaper, and with the AquaTech brand slapped on it lol.

Both tanks are good, but rather pricey. I'd get a normal sized/shaped tank for the same, if not less, price. Like a 5 gallon kit from WalMart, or something. Or, you can do what I do, and check out thrift stores, craigslist, etc.

Either way, both tanks you picked out should be fine. Some times with TopFin brand, its hit and miss, so be aware.

 

Awesome, thanks Akari!

 

Awesome, thanks Akari!

Sure thing