Aquarium technology for the home: external filter with integrated heating elements
JBL filter with insulation with separate external heating
To ensure that you can enjoy your own aquarium for as long as possible, the right care and, above all, the right treatment of the water are essential. A filter takes on exactly this task, removing dirt particles from the water and, depending on the equipment, can also perform secondary activities.
A External filter with integrated heating rod For example, keeps the aquarium at the temperature level required for the creatures, regardless of the season and the room temperature. At this point we want to take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of such heating external filters.
Why external filters with heating can be useful
Since the heating rod is already in the filter, there is basically no need for an additional element directly in the aquarium. This allows a little save space and also the beautiful one view of the inner workings will not be disturbed. You even benefit from cleaning – for example, it is no longer necessary to sink your own arm into the basin. Most modern external filters also share the property that single components can simply be pulled out of the filter (heating element, connection block for hoses, pre-filter …).
Various models are also available in different sizes; either broad rather than tall, or vice versa. This means that there is equipment that is just as optimally suited to small aquariums and low cabinets as it is to free-standing devices. If the filter is free-standing, the handles on the side – which are now available on most filters – make it very easy to move around in the room.
Sometimes the filters are also equipped with one or the other safety feature. In case of changes of Water temperature above a certain value, some models emit visual signals. A watchful eye enables early intervention so that the temperature deviation does not become too large.
Which speaks against an external filter with a heating element
To prevent heat build-up in the filter, the water must be constantly exchanged. If a plant covers the inlet, the cleaned water cannot flow into the aquarium. Conversely, the filter pump cannot suck in water if, for example, water has been sucked into the counterpart.
The situation with the procurement of spare parts can only be described as suboptimal. If individual filter elements are defective and no spare parts are currently available, the entire external filter must be replaced, at least temporarily. In worse cases, certain spare parts are no longer manufactured at all. You should keep yourself up to date with the services of the provider, especially with regard to your own products. By the way: when buying, you should pay attention to the type of aquarium for which the filter is suitable. Not all models are equally suitable for fresh and sea water.
It is also good to know that an integrated heating element in the filter does not always replace regular temperature checks; this depends on the model. Some flash, but there is a very high risk of being overlooked if you don’t always check them yourself. The heater element itself also usually does not give an audible alarm when it fails. Leaving it idle for a few hours or even days can cause the water to cool down rapidly; not all fish are equally insensitive to this change. At a room temperature of around 19 °C, there is not necessarily a hurry to intervene, but if it is comparatively cold (e.g. because insulation material was forgotten when building the house and it is a harsh winter), action should be taken quickly.
In the event of a system change, ob now temporary or long-term, pay attention to the diameter of the hoses, as these can vary from filter to filter. It should also be considered that although the filter pump itself consumes little electricity, the heating element can increase this massively; whether integrated or not. The heating rod itself is particularly risky. A faulty design or a leak can lead to severe electric shocks. Basically, a careful assessment by a specialist is recommended here; if this is not possible immediately, the heating element should be unplugged for the duration of the work in the aquarium and ideally replaced by an external heating element!
Brands and their characteristics
The German front runner when it comes to external filters with an integrated heating element oasis. The filter models are all equipped with several filter sponges, a biological helix filter and a pre-filter, which keeps the water crystal clear. All accessories such as water diffusers, sponges, tubes and flow regulators are already included in the complete sets and can be installed quickly and easily. The entire filter system is ready for use in just a few minutes. The ease of care also speaks for models from this house – for example, the pre-filter only has to be removed for cleaning, rinsed out and reinserted.
If you have previously used an Oase filter, such as a Biomaster model, you will enjoy an additional advantage: All Biomaster filters use 16/22 hoses, which makes changing them easier. In addition, Biomaster filters continue to run normally even without a heating element. The price/performance ratio is also convincing.
Alternatively, you can take a look at the manufacturer EHEIM. The models with an integrated heating element can be identified by the letter «T». For example the EHEIM 2371 professionel 4+ 250T. EHEIM is best known for its worldwide service offers and has built up a basic range of spare parts for its devices. The company has a strong focus on aquaristic and garden pond technology and is accordingly extensively equipped; whether it’s about the smallest sealing rings or holistic technical systems.
Alternative external heating
As an alternative to the heating installed directly in the filter, there is the option of keeping the heating elements entirely outside the tank. For this purpose, various manufacturers offer external heating elements which can be installed in the base cabinet, for example.
Summarized
The selection of the right filter for your own aquarium depends primarily on its inhabitants and their individual demands on the environment.
The size of the aquarium also plays a role, as larger tanks require a correspondingly higher pumping capacity. A blind purchase is only recommended if you know exactly what is being purchased with the device in question. In the case of first-time aquariums, it is better to seek expert advice in a branch in order to obtain the optimum filter performance for the tank. The more purposefully the technical equipment is adapted to your own aquarium, the longer the life and the joy in the aquarium.