Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Preset Heater

Curated from 49 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: August 5, 2024

Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Preset Heater

Brand: Aqueon
Price: $18
Snoop Score:
4.1
Sentiment
3.5
Popularity
2.1
Technical
4.5

Snoop's Take

The Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Preset Heater is designed to maintain the water temperature of aquariums up to 40 gallons with a preset temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This fully submersible heater features an auto shut-off for overheating and an LED indicator to show when heating is in progress. Consumer sentiment regarding the Aqueon heater is mixed, with many users reporting effectiveness in smaller tanks, as one user stated, "I got mine from petsmart aqueon50watt in my 20 gallon. 2 years going strong." However, there are also significant concerns, as several users reported issues with consistency and reliability, with one remarking, "None of my heaters work. Literally none." The general consensus suggests while some are satisfied with their heaters, many express frustration over failures and temperature maintenance. Based on the feedback, the Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Preset Heater may be suitable for those needing a basic heater for smaller tanks, but potential buyers should be cautious and consider the mixed reviews regarding reliability and performance in larger setups.

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I got mine from petsmart aqueon50watt in my 20 gallon. 2 years going strong.

Positive Feedback

None of my heaters work. Literally none.

Negative Feedback
Product
4.1
Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Preset Heater
Freshwater Aquariums
2 / 10
Saltwater Aquariums
2 / 10
Marine Life Habitats
2 / 10
Small to Medium Tanks
2 / 10
See how this compares to all Aquarium Heaters

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Heater effective in 20-gallon tanks
I got mine from petsmart aqueon50watt in my 20 gallon. 2 years going strong.
Quality of Aqueon tanks is better than competitors
The quality isn't as good as aqueon IMO.
Effective for smaller tanks
What brand of Aquarium heaters do you all like to use?
Some users report Aqueon heaters work well.
I am very happy with the Aqueon Pros, I can't speak for the glass ones.
Mine work well actually i bought an off brand one that cooked my saltwater tank all the way up to 90 degrees!

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Heaters may fail to work consistently.
None of my heaters work. Literally none.
Is this overkill/unsafe?
Heater may not reach desired temperature.
This one is probably the worst of the ones I have honestly.
Heater may not work consistently
you couldn’t pay me to use them, they crack or split 9 months into operation.
Heater may not reach desired temperature
Ive found that you get what you pay for and I replace every few years.
Heater may fail to work consistently.
I have went through three of these heaters in one year.
Heaters may fail to work consistently
These days I have no respect for heaters, and I encourage you to have the same philosophy.
I would *always* recommend having a digital thermometer somewhere visible.
Aqueon kits are subpar compared to alternatives
I'd rather spend a little bit more rather than buying trash and having to replace it.
You can do a lot better than their kits for about the same price.
Heater and filter in kits are on the lower end
The filter and heater are fine, though they're both on the lower end size wise for what you want so you'll need to keep your stocking light.
Heaters may not maintain the desired temperature.
I have yet to get an Aqueon heater that works right.
IMO, most preset heaters are inefficient.
Users experience failures with multiple heaters.
IMO, all heaters are destined to fail after a few years, and the best we can do is create a redundant setup where when they fail they cause minimal damage.
Many heaters reportedly fail to maintain temperature.
Ugh I HATE shopping for heaters, and so many of them are terrible, especially for small tanks!

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Heaters operate based on water temperature and circulation.
They are supposed to turn on and off as needed based on tank temp.
Most if not all heaters run on either a timer or turn off automatically once the water reaches a certain temperature.
The water wasn't circulating enough in the area so it turned off constantly.
The heater can handle something bigger but it should be able to handle the smaller tank as well.
Comment on the prevalence of Aqueon tanks
I can’t imagine the overhead for selling aquariums is *that* high.
Discussion on high-end alternatives like Fluval E series.
expensive but fluval E series has been great for me.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
User has extensive experience with different brands and sizes of heaters.
Not sure if I helped or brought any idea's to the field but - my .02$.
I usually use aqueon pro heaters cuz of the lifetime warranty, but I've gone through like, 6 of them.
Heater wattage rule of thumb is 2 watts per gallon.
a good rule of thumb for heater wattage is 2 watts per gallon, so 7.5 for 5 gallons should be good enough.
Water takes time to heat due to high specific heat.
the amount of energy your heater can put in to heating it is only 7.5 watts, meaning that it will take the water a relatively long time to heat up.
Discussion on alternatives to Aqueon heaters
They need a computer for temp control but they last forever and can’t randomly crack.
Are they ok? Or should I drive farther to another store where I can get Aqueon and other brands?
Shopping for reliable heaters is a common struggle.
Heater recs please!!!! I can't find one that seems reliable lol.
Man shopping for heaters is the biggest pain in the hobby for me.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
User experiences with Aqueon tanks vary
Don't buy Aqueon tanks. Woke up to find my 40g Aqueon breeder had drained out onto the apartment floor.
User mentions challenges with fish maintenance
Rather than spending the few minutes we sometimes get to speak when I’m gone, nagging her about whether she did a water change, I built some redundancy into my tank.
Discussion on adjustable heaters being more reliable.
Presets as you mentioned can be unreliable.
User mentions room temperature affecting heater performance.
Wouldn't say I absolutely recommend this, but if you are on a budget and looking for a heater for at least a 15 gallon tank, this one works.

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