Thoughts about heating pad for temp control

[NC AL]

In my never ending quest to piddle around, I have been looking at setting up a nano eco tank/bowl with minimum maintenance. The main issue I have is controlling the temp. The temps in my house fluctuate between 68 - 71 degree regularly and can drop to lower 60s a few weeks in the fall and spring when we do not have the heater on.

Has anyone thought about or had success using an animal heating pad under the bowl/tank? While most are designed for reptiles and regulate between 100-120F, there are some for more mixed use that can be controlled from 68F and up. I don't think this would be too hard to set up. Could be to keep the inside of the tank clear of equipment. Radiant floor heating for your shrimp/fish.

Heating Pad

 

[Mr. Silly Goose]

I can't speak to it working in practice, but I could see temp control with an inkbird or similar.

 

[Capraquaria]

I have several grow mats (I use one to hatch brine shrimp, just because I have them for seed starting anyway). The advantage is they are designed to get wet. There are many options out there, this is just an example, and is controllable down to 68F. Many do not come with the thermostat controller, and you have to buy them separately, but this one does:

https://www.amazon.com/Thermostat-Waterproof-Hydroponic-Germination-Greenhouses/dp/B0DPJ1M8V4

I will add, that for a bowl, you might want some means of circulating the water, to ensure even heating.

 

[NC AL]

I have several grow mats (I use one to hatch brine shrimp, just because I have them for seed starting anyway). The advantage is they are designed to get wet. There are many options out there, this is just an example, and is controllable down to 68F. Many do not come with the thermostat controller, and you have to buy them separately, but this one does:

https://www.amazon.com/Thermostat-Waterproof-Hydroponic-Germination-Greenhouses/dp/B0DPJ1M8V4

I will add, that for a bowl, you might want some means of circulating the water, to ensure even heating.

I saw the grow mats in my searches. I also came across a brewing heating pad too.

The idea would be too have nothing in the bowl/tank, so one with a controllable thermostat would be a must. If I have to put a temperature sensor in, I might as well put a small heater.

Water circulation would be difficult, perhaps a small air line. I would likely have the temps for the tank/bowl set around 73F. With such a little difference between that and the air around it I imagine thermal convection would likely be sufficient. That could be tested with a thermometer before any fish or shrimp are added.

 

[CincyScaper]

What inhabitants do you plan to have ? Seems like the plants would be ok to be in the low 60s just for few weeks

 

[NC AL]

What inhabitants do you plan to have ? Seems like the plants would be ok to be in the low 60s just for few weeks

I would definitely want shrimp and snails. Possibly a few small fish if the size of the tank is adequate. I love emerald dwarf rasboras/danios.

 

[Sulla]

The challenge is moving the heat around and it puts choice of substrate up from and center.

The key challenge is how to disperse the heat from the glass into the water - evenly.

On a bare bottom tank, with decent circulation I shouldn't think it's a deal breaker.

Pure gravel, sand or a mix I also don't. They're very conductive and basically you have the same issue with a bare bottom - ensuring sufficient circulation from the heat surface to the water.

Where I see a massive issue is any kind of soil. Because soil isn't a good conductor of heat AND circulation inside it is super slow. So yu would heat the bottom layer with little circulation. If your thermostat is in the water then there's a real risk of serious heating of the glass and the bottom layer of soil - potentially spoiling plant roots etc.

I think it's a no go for any soil based substrate unfortunately.

 

[NC AL]

The challenge is moving the heat around and it puts choice of substrate up from and center.

The key challenge is how to disperse the heat from the glass into the water - evenly.

On a bare bottom tank, with decent circulation I shouldn't think it's a deal breaker.

Pure gravel, sand or a mix I also don't. They're very conductive and basically you have the same issue with a bare bottom - ensuring sufficient circulation from the heat surface to the water.

Where I see a massive issue is any kind of soil. Because soil isn't a good conductor of heat AND circulation inside it is super slow. So yu would heat the bottom layer with little circulation. If your thermostat is in the water then there's a real risk of serious heating of the glass and the bottom layer of soil - potentially spoiling plant roots etc.

I think it's a no go for any soil based substrate unfortunately.

These are good points. I think the pads have a built in thermostat so they maintain a temp at a controlled setting. This is the only way it could work Ideally there wouldn't be a thermostat in the tank, just one used periodically to make sure the pad is working correctly.

The thought is that the pad could maintain a temp around 73F which would in turn keep the tank environment around this. The difference in room temperature would likely be only 2-8 (max) degrees Fahrenheit lower. With only a small difference in temp I really think natural convection would be sufficient for distributing the heat.

 

[CincyScaper]

I would definitely want shrimp and snails. Possibly a few small fish if the size of the tank is adequate. I love emerald dwarf rasboras/danios.

Not sure about rasboras but CPDs would be ok in an unheated tank

 

[NC AL]

Not sure about rasboras but CPDs would be ok in an unheated tank

the emerald dwarf rasboras are actually danios mislabeled in the hobby. The are close enough to CPDs they apparently can breed with each other. I have both in my 20g because the research is that they both prefer cooler and harder water conditions.

 

[Sulla]

These are good points. I think the pads have a built in thermostat so they maintain a temp at a controlled setting. This is the only way it could work Ideally there wouldn't be a thermostat in the tank, just one used periodically to make sure the pad is working correctly.

The thought is that the pad could maintain a temp around 73F which would in turn keep the tank environment around this. The difference in room temperature would likely be only 2-8 (max) degrees Fahrenheit lower. With only a small difference in temp I really think natural convection would be sufficient for distributing the heat.

If the thermostat is pad based vs not that's a good thing.

Like I said maybe experiment before hand with substrates as the dispersion of the heat is - I think - the main issue.

 

[Koan]

the emerald dwarf rasboras are actually danios mislabeled in the hobby

YES! Haha thank you, makes total sense there's nothing rasbora about those