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In the middle of the tank. In a straight up and down position as possible.

I agree with jungle-jim. Thats why my heater (in the picture above) is in the flow of the powerhead filter. The water flows over the heater, then up the heater and then across the top of the tank. The heater is tilted because of the warning we got here in Oz. I tried to cover it with plastic plants etc, but I got too close one day and some melted in the water nearly killing my fish. So now I keep well away from it. The fish even keeps away from it when its on. When it off, its a different case. Algae yum-yum
Although I like to keep my heater as clean as possible. After all electicity is running through it.

I have all my heaters running parallel to the substrate, quite close to the bottom of the tank. With the ten gallon, the heat circulation didn't seem to matter as much, but with the twenty gallon long, I have the heater near the middle of the tank. The filter is in the middle of the tank as well, so the current spreads the warm water around and I've got a bubble wall under the heater, too.

I also have a nice long, low ornament that pretty much blocks the view of the whole thing, so it works out well. Of course, now I'm pondering reaquascaping, so I'll have to see how this works out.

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

In a place where it doesn't look ugly. Mine are in the back corners of my tanks & maybe you can also try to hide it with Plants or Bogwood.



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Better yet, put it on one of the "ends", perpendicular to the wall with the heater, and aim it in the direction of the heater. This will give your fish a nice current and aid in evenly heating the tank.

I'm thinking of getting a powerhead so I guess I'll put it in the middle of the tank which is where my heater is.

The reason for locating the heater near a "flow-zone" (such as a powerhead, or filter outlet) and for "tilting" heaters (submersible only!!!--this may be why the aussies were having problems?) either diagonally or horizontally is to enhance the distribution of heated water throughout the tank. An upright (vertical) heater in a low-flow part of the tank (perhaps a corner) will cause the tank to have zones of different temperature...sometimes you can actually get hot and cold spots, although most often there is a thermocline from one end of the tank to the other.

Its better for your fish to have as uniform a temperature as possible throughout the volume of your tanks. Even though there are no electrical heaters in nature, aesthetics should always come second to animal husbandry...besides, fish in nature don't see much different temperatures in the space of a few feet (like in a badly heated aquarium) either!

Really? Well in my heater manual's diagram, it cleary shows that its in a horizontal position.

[span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-07-23 12:20][/span]

We were told here in Australia, if you have your heater in a straight across the tank position, they can explode. We were told to put them in as straight up and down position as possible. Many people have had their heaters explode.

Thanks for the tip, Fallout. Maybe thats why my temp. has been fluctuating so much. Though it does look funky in that angled position ]


[span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-07-23 08:12][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by sly 2004-07-23 08:12][/span]

kickflip_dan

I have two one next to the inlet for my large Eheim canister and the other at the opposite end close to the outlet. Also I like to hide them behind plants just for appearance sake.

Keith

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You want your heaters angled as well, not straight up and down, if you have a submersible. This allows for more accurate heating and more even and efficient heating as well.

I personally like to hide mine as much as I can.

Even to the point of hiding the cabling...

I've never seen a heater in the wild so why should I when I look in my tank?

Here is a picture of where I have mine
jake attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/400538.jpg"]

Agree with both the above posts.
This is a picture of were I have one of my heaters.
TigerAngel attached this image:
[img]http://www.fishprofiles.net/attachments/400327.jpg"]

Personally I dont think it realy matters, provided you are using the right sized one.(as far as heating purposes)I dont find my temp goes up and down alot its fairly stable.
suggesting you buy a good one,it well worth the cost.
Most hobbyist like to hide the heater, but,certainly dont have it touching anything( rocks,plants)etc.. and leave enough room for fish to get by it,so they dont have to squeeze between a rock and the heater..
Some heaters come with a cover or you can buy them seperatly..I did with mine..
Try a few different spots with the decor to see how it looks..be fish safe..

Sue..

p.s. All my heaters are placed in differents spots.


[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-07-21 07:49][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-07-21 07:58][/span]

As close to the outflow of your filter as possible, in my opinion, if it's submersible. You want the water flowing past it, over it, etc.

Where should I put my heater to get the best use on it.

i place my heaters diagonally under the intakes of the penguin power filter

Tigerangel: What would make them explode?