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I was on the arizona gardens web site, and they have an under substrate heater. I haven't yet bought any heating for my 125, and thought this might be good. It is going to be planted, so what do you think? Would I still need another heater as well? Thanks!

"Constant vigilance!"
Mad-Eye Moody

I seem to remember reading (somewhere:%)) that plant roots dont really apreaciate that type of heating, which of course begs the question as to why azgardens has it on their site.
Then again I could just be remembering it wrong .

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i'm sure there must be *some* plants that like substrate heating, but i don't know that i'd do it myself especially if you have some heavy root feeders in your tank...

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

I don't have anything in the tank at the moment, just setting it up. Which are heavy root feeders?

"Constant vigilance!"
Mad-Eye Moody

If I were your i would just put a regular submersible heater in the tank. Than you wont have to worry about the plants not likeing the heat form underground.

heavy root feeders like amazon swords, some crypts, etc. if they need a large complex root system to grow, then i would not use a substrate heater in the tank whatsoever.

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"That's the trouble with political jokes in this country... they get elected!" -- Dave Lippman

A waste of money or at least something that would be way down the end of a shopping list.

The theory is that the heat in the substrate helps the water and therefore nutrients cirulate around the roots. It was first used in the Dupla method I believe. The theory has never really been proven to provide any real worthwhile improvment in growth or plant health, at least not enough to warrant the expense.

More importantly it is NOT a substitute for a water heater. The amount of heat is minimal and I'm sure not enough to maintain water temps. So it's not a replacement for a water heater.

Use the money for more plants, better lights, a co2 system or something, this will give you way more benefit or bang for your buck

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