[ShadowBeast]

I have a 20 gallon long tank and I was wondering if I could put a mini heater in the filter itself?
The filter I have is marineland bio-wheel 200.

Has anyone tried this and if so what was the results?
Is there any disadvantages or problems?

 

[ridethespiral]

I've seen people have mini heaters in HOB filters before. Just make sure that the glass/metal part that heats up is not touching any plastic because it very well can melt it. With the amount of flow going through the filter, there is no problem with having a heater in there so long as it fits

 

[OverStocked]

THe big downside is they are too low wattage for the tank size, and will run non stop and burn out much faster.

 

[ridethespiral]

THe big downside is they are too low wattage for the tank size, and will run non stop and burn out much faster.

great point :thumbsup:

 

[ShadowBeast]

THe big downside is they are too low wattage for the tank size, and will run non stop and burn out much faster.

Even a 25 watt?

 

[ridethespiral]

I ran a 100w heater on a 10g..

worked wonders, horizontal down near the bottom of the tank, it was hardly visible.


What is your climate like? hot? cold winter? a 25w may not keep up with fluctuations

 

[ShadowBeast]

I ran a 100w heater on a 10g..

worked wonders, horizontal down near the bottom of the tank, it was hardly visible.


What is your climate like? hot? cold winter? a 25w may not keep up with fluctuations

I'm in NJ so winter might be a little bad.

 

[ridethespiral]

Pretty much why I went with a 100w for my 10g. You could probably get away with a 50w. The more water in a tank the more stable it is, and is why I only run a 100w in my 75g tank