Heating Cables Are They Worth It ?

[piper]

Hi all, I've darined my tank down and am going to replant it with better lighting, pressurised CO2 and more Red Sea Flora Base substrate (previouly it was under an inch deep)

Just wanted to know if its worth sticking in a heater cable while im at it ?

 

[Colonel Mustard]

A heater cable definatly helps to speed up root development and therefoe plant growth; but i don't think that it is neccisary it is really a personal choice. i would personally not do heating cables and concontate my money on either upgrading to better co2.

hope this helps

P.S when the tank is set up can you post some pics!!

 

[sandfire]

Take care which one you buy, my tank held 350 litres, so I bought a heating cable which was for a 400l tank thinking it be ok...

I came down in the morning to a tank with a temp of 102F.....toasty!

and yes the Danio's were still alive

 

[garuf]

depends on who you ask, most people including the infamous tom barr seem to believe that they are superfluous if you want one go ahead and get one but they're in no way essential.

 

[plantbrain]

I just ask anyone and any maker of them to show any research evidence that they do help in a controlled study.

Not one has ever shown anything nor has there ever been anything I've ever been able to find on any research search for the last 15-20 years, nor is it in any way natural or replicating any natural system either.

The research that has been done suggest that normal flows in/out of the sediment without any heat convection is optimal for root and plant growth.

So the burden is on them and they have never stepped up to the late for several decades.

You want to buy something created by myth and the marketing dept, that's up to you.

I've tested it several times back in the late 1980's and 1990's.
I've never been able to show any significant difference, nor has anyone else...........
Someone will have show there's a significant statistical difference and use a controlled study to show they work.
Simply trying it has never shown not just myself, but many folks that it does nothing.

The test and methods are fairly easy to test as well.
But you need some competence as grower to start with and do the test.



Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Themuleous]

As Tom says they dont work, ever have. Spend the money on something that is proven o increase plant growth like better lighting, or pressurised CO2, or a plant substrate.

Sam

 

[reggieschuey]

No they are not worth it really. expensive there is benefits in one but for the cost you rather spend on ferts and plants , and other things that will make your plants flourish better

 

[backtotropical]

I was reading in PFK magazine just this month that the latest research shows that they may not actually have any effect at all, and money is infinitely better invested in a good substrate.

 

[nry]

Given that they cost money and that no-one has actually proved scientifically that they do anything much, I'm saving my money and would recommend others to do the same.

 

[George Farmer]

I was reading in PFK magazine just this month that the latest research shows that they may not actually have any effect at all, and money is infinitely better invested in a good substrate.

Well, if you're referring to my article - it's not latest research, just observations from my own tanks and noting that none of the 'big players' in the hobby use them. Tom for one, Amano for another...

I'll never use one again.

I understand they can be useful in cold rooms though.

 

[piper]

Thanks every one. I'm going to give it a miss. This is what I intend to do anyway if your interested.

50"x18"x18" = 70 Gal (US) Main Tank

3 WPG Lighting (RCADIA OVERTANK LUMINAIRE FRESHWATER 48" T5 FOUR LAMPS)

2 x Hydor External 300w heaters + ATC 300 2 CHANNEL HEATER TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER

2 x Eheim 2026 External Filter
2kg Presureised CO2 with PH control (cheap ebay one)

Red sea flora base substrate

Temp 23 deg

Plants
Vallisneria nana (background )

Hair Grass (midground/background)
Dwarf Hair Grass (midground)

Utricularia Graminifolia (foreground carpet)

And some others....

And I'm going to look at changing my fish stock. Think I'm going with:

10 Cardinal Tetras
10 Otocinclus (5 Zebs)
6 Fake Corydoras Julii
6 Boeseman's Rainbowfish
1 Rainbow Red Shark
6 Silver Hatchet
12 Amano Shrimp

Going to go with a mangrove(ish) style I've got the following wood.

 

[lisa_perry75]

Could you please indicate how much stuff is costing/cost? Especially 2kg Co2 and pH meter

 

[SuperColey1]

Why are you using a ph meter in conjunction with CO2?

It has been the let down of many a planted tank when it cuts the CO2 off at a given parameter and thus makes the use of pressurised worthless!!!

The aim of pressurised is consistency not being turned on and off.

I have lost count of the number of people with ph controllers complaining on forums of algae and asking why and it nearly always turns out that the ph controller is shutting the CO2 off when what you want is the same level to be going in there all day long or 24 hours like Sam and George and now me do (To George...I'm sorry to copy but I read about your findings with crypts....To Sam - sorry I didn't copy you but at the time I was still a little concerned after my massacre)

As for the heater cable they can be useful if you want them to be used for tank heating rather than have the usual submersible but other than that, their fiddly and plants can get their roots gripped around them and and and.....theres more but I can't be ars'''d to keep going.lol

Andy

 

[George Farmer]

1 x 300w inline heater is enough for that size tank, especially with 23C. 23C may be a little on the cool side for cardinals.

Could you please indicate how much stuff is costing/cost? Especially 2kg Co2 and pH meter

2Kg CO2 you can achieve for around £70 using Fire Extinguisher and cheap reg.pH controller from e-bay about £50

 

[plantbrain]

I'd suggest getting the ADA aqua soil instead of the Flora base personally.
Cost the same pretty much and it's a nicer color for what you have planned.

The Val Crypt combo is nice, I've seen these two plants growing in nature together much like that.

Should be easy to care for.
The 70 gal tank is likely a bit shallow for that type of display.
I'd do two clumps of Vals on each side and rock and Crypts in the rest of the space.
Do not do a solid line of Val in the rear.
They grow fast and weedy and will cover the surface rapidly.


Regards,
Tom Barr