This morning, I finished my float and went over and turned on the heater… without putting the heating element back in the tank… I was at my computer when I heard a weird popping sound — the heating element was melting the plastic basket that holds the heating element while I’m floating.

But that was the start of my troubles. It seemed like the heating element was not even functional anymore. I thought I had burnt it out. It turns out that it has a a way of disabling itself when it overheats. the H2Pro is a better submersible heater than I thought it was.

But I didn’t know that. So I went panicking and trying to find a 1000W aquarium heater. But the most anyone carried locally was 300W.

I really should be aware of my options for a backup heater. So

let’s build a laundry list of what we want in a submersible heater:

1. it has a way of shutting itself off when it overheats. This way the unit doesnt break when you accidentally leave it out of the tank
2. It has a way of shutting off if not in water.
3. 1 degree of temperature variation max. I do like how my H2Pro keeps my water at 95 deg F OR LESS AND within 1 degree: it never overshoots: the temperature varies between 94.0 and 94.9.
4. indicator of when the unit is actually heating.
5. anti-scalding cover for the heating element – the H2Pro is just a raw heating element.
6. can heat salt water. e.g. this unit specifically states that it can only deal with tap water.

So now let’s go surfin’ for some heaters!

YukiHalu fills all the squares

I just ran across this heater – Amazon.com: YukiHalu Aquarium Heater 50/100/200/300/500W with Protective Case, Fish Tank Heater, Temperature Adjustable, External Temperature Controller, LED Display, Used for 10/20/40/75/120 Gallons (500W) : Pet Supplies

It is the ONLY one I have seen that fulfills ALL criteria above.

Finnex TH-U 800W Titanium Heating Tube and Digital Controller Kit

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/finnex-thu-800w-titanium-heating-tube-digital-controller-kit.html

• The THU Finnex Titanium heater also incorporates an internal fuse for your home’s safety. Should the tube be exposed to open air for an extended amount of time, the fuse with permanently disable the heater – preventing potential fire hazardous situations.
• Accuracy – +/- 2deg F – no good – but my H2Pro says the same thing but is much more accurate.
• Range – 0-99deg F – very good: the hotter the better when you want to dissolve salt initially.

AQUATOP TTH-1000 1000-Watt Titanium Tube Heater w/ Digital Controller

TTH-1000 1000-Watt Titanium Tube Heater w/ Digital Controller | Aquatop

• Temperature Accuracy: ±1.8°F (±1°C) – no good – but my H2Pro says the same thing but is much more accurate.
• Dual Relay Interwork Disables Element in Case of Overheating – good