In order to keep tropical fishes alive the temperature of their aquarium must be kept at its natural level (around 24C in most cases). This is easily accomplised by use of a heater and thermostat. Todays modern aquarium hardware is completely reliable and simple to install.
The majority of aqaurium heating is acheived by means of combined heater and thermostat units. Needing only the minimum wiring (plug it in!) and taking up less room in the aquarium, these have largely replaced the separate heater and thermostat units favoured for many years by tropical fish enthusiasts. The heater/thermostat is housed in a watertight glass tbe and is held in pace by specially designed retaining clips. these clips are held inplace by rubber suction cups on the aquarium glass.
These aquarium heater should be the correct size for teh tank. An approximate guide is to allow 10 watts per 4.5 litres of aquarium capacity. Standard sizes of aquarium heater are 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 300 watts. In tanks above 36" in length use 2 heaters, one either end to provide and even temperature spread throughout the tank.
In any case you need to ensure that teh temperature set on the thermostat is actually the temperature being maintained. To do this you need to purchase a thermometer. These are relatively inexpensive and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. The most conveinient, easiest to maintain and safest are the Liquid crystal type. They are stuck the the outside of the aquarium glass and change colour depending upon the temperature of the water within the tank.
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