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Re: UndergraverHeater



> Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2002 13:13:47 +0100
> From: "Will Phantom" <rfzotto at hotmail_com>
>
> Now im thinking of adding an undergravelheater, only my aquaruim store
said
> I shoudnt use it because if it broke I had to tear down my whole tank and
he
> never noticed any growth improvement
>
> How do you all think about it ?

Personally, I would not set up a plant tank without undergravel heating
cables. But I would go with the higher wattage cables like Dupla used to
sell (about 1.5 to 2.0 watts per gallon, depending on your target water
temp).

I have never heard of Dupla heating cables breaking, so your store clerk is
simply feeding you FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt).  Cables will NOT
improve growth but will enhance long term stability. If you redo your tank
setup every year or so, don't bother with cables. Just messing around with
the substrate and plants (basically stirring up the substrate) every 6 to 12
months will have the same effect. If you want to plant it and keep it
growing on a long term basis, use cables.

We have 3 large tanks that were set up 7 years ago and are thriving. We
rarely vacuum the gravel (and then just the surface). We don't need to add
anything to the substrate. See the heating cable article on my website for
complete details.

George Booth in Ft. Collins, CO (gbooth at frii dot com)
  The website for Aquatic Gardeners by Aquatic Gardeners
      http://aquaticconcepts.thekrib.com (mirror)
      http://www.frii.com/~gbooth/AquaticConcepts/