Whether you are setting up a new 75-gallon aquarium or looking to replace the heater in an established tank, getting the correct heater for your tank is crucial. Water temperature is one of the most important water parameters for your fish’s well-being, so picking a heater that will keep the temperature locked in is essential.
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Best Aquarium Heater for 75 Gallon Tank
Below are 7 of the best aquarium heaters rated for a 75-gallon tank, in no particular order, as well as their specifications.
Hygger Aquarium Heater
The Hygger Aquarium heater comes in four different wattage ratings – 200W, 300W, and 500W. The 500-watt model is recommended for 60-120 gallon aquariums, making it ideal for a 75-gallon tank as it won’t be working at full power all the time to maintain water temperatures.
This heater features an ECO mode for energy savings. When the temperature is heating up the first time, the heater will run at MAX. Once up to temp, when the water temperature drops 1°, the heater will turn on in ECO mode, allowing it to use much less electricity.
Titanium construction means the tube is not only corrosion-resistant and fast heating, but also nearly unbreakable. The indicator light will illuminate red when it is heating, and green when it is on standby.
Hygger Aquarium Heater Specifications (500 Watt model)
- Aquarium Size Range – 60 to 120 Gallons
- Temperature Range – 61° to 90°F (16° – 32°C)
- Heater Rod Length – 7.9” (20 cm)
- Water Type – Fresh and Salt Water
- Features – Titanium aquarium heater, LCD display with water temperature reading, memory function, ECO mode, and easy-to-set temperature controls.
Fluval E300 300 Watt Heater
The Fluval E300 heater is a popular choice for aquarists looking for a heater suitable for an aquarium up to 100 gallons in size. It features dual temperature sensors for the most accurate temperature readings possible.
The LCD temperature display changes color as the water temperature fluctuates. A green screen means the water is the desired temperature, and if it is a bit high or low it will change to blue (low temperature) or red (high temperature), allowing you to see with a quick glance if your tank is at the correct temperature.
Fluval advertises this heater as the most advanced aquarium heater available on the market with all its features. This does reflect in the price, however, as it is one of the most expensive heaters of its size available.
Fluval E300 Specifications
- Aquarium Size Range – Up to 100 Gallons
- Temperature Range – 68° to 93° F (20° to 34° C)
- Heater Rod Length – 18” (45.7 cm)
- Water Type – Fresh and Salt Water
- Features – Color-changing display depending on water temperature, integrated fish guard, slim mounting bracket., remote control for changing settings.
Marineland Precision Heater
The Marineland Precision Heater comes in 8 different wattage ratings, ranging from 50 watts, all the way up to 400 watts. For a 75-gallon aquarium, the 300-watt heater is the recommended size, as it is rated for tanks up to 80 gallons.
The Marineland heater is simple to use, featuring an adjustable temperature dial that is easy to adjust, and a sliding temperature scale to make it easy to monitor your water temperature. The heating element contains a mica core, surrounded by a mesh heating element for superior heating, durability, and reliability.
Marineland Precision Heater Specifications (300 Watt model)
- Aquarium Size Range – Up to 80 Gallons
- Temperature Range – 65° to 88° F (18° to 31° C)
- Heater Rod Length – 13.5” (34.3 cm)
- Water Type – Fresh and Salt Water
- Features – Easy-to-use temperature adjustment, advanced mounting bracket with 3 window positions for viewing temperature display.
Eheim Jager Thermostat Heater
The Eheim Jager Aquarium Thermostat heater comes in 8 different wattage ratings, ranging from 25 watts, all the way up to 300 watts. For a 75-gallon tank, the 150-watt model is the recommended size. No matter which size you choose, they all have a full glass jacket which increases the heating surface, and also forms a heat shield to protect any fish that may come too close to it.
Featuring precise temperature control, with accuracy ± 0.5° C, and the ability to recalibrate the temperature simply, these affordable heaters have been a popular choice with aquarists for a long time. Each heater also has a built-in thermo safety control, which will shut the heater off completely if the water level gets too low.
Eheim Jager Thermostat Heater Specifications (150 Watt model)
- Aquarium Size Range – 53 to 79 Gallons
- Temperature Range – 64° to 93° F (18° to 34° C)
- Heater Rod Length – 13.6” (34.5 cm)
- Water Type – Fresh and Salt Water
- Features – Precise temperature control, fully submersible, thermo shut off control, full glass jacket, 5.5’ long power cord.
Orlushy Aquarium Heater 500W
The Orlushy Aquarium Heater is a fully submersible, compact heater that comes in 5 different sizes, from 100 watts up to 500 watts. The 500-watt model is recommended for tanks between 40 and 75 gallons, putting it right in the upper range for a 75-gallon tank.
2 mm thick quartz glass construction and a precise temperature dial make this an affordable, yet reliable choice for a heater. The temperature dial can also be calibrated simply for the most accurate temperature settings possible.
Another great added feature with this heater is the separate thermometer it comes with, complete with its own stand-alone screen for easy viewing. This means the probe can be placed away from the heating element in the tank, allowing for the most accurate temperature readings.
Orlushy Aquarium Heater 500W Specifications
- Aquarium Size Range – 40 to 75 Gallons
- Temperature Range – 68° to 89° F (20° to 32° C)
- Heater Rod Length – 13” (33 cm)
- Water Type – Fresh and Salt Water
- Features – 2mm thick glass tube, precise temperature dial, stand-alone thermometer, 6” power cord.
AQQA Aquarium Heater
The AQQA Aquarium heater comes in 5 different models, ranging from 100 watts, all the way up to 800 watts for large tanks. The 200-watt (45-80 gallons) and 300-watt (80-95 gallons) models are both acceptable in a 75-gallon tank, so either model can be used. The 200-watt model is a little bit cheaper, so if you’re on a budget, opt for the less expensive model.
These durable heaters feature quartz glass construction, nickel-chromium heating wire, and a temperature-resistant PC material, which helps protect your fish from getting burned. It also features a memory function, so if the power goes out, the heater will come back on at the same setting it was at prior to it losing power.
This heater is a bit larger and bulkier than others on the list, but if you’ve got the space in your tank the AQQA is a great choice.
AQQA Aquarium Heater Specifications (200 Watt model)
- Temperature Range – 59° to 93° F (15° to 34° C)
- Heater Rod Length – 11” (28 cm)
- Water Type – Fresh and Salt Water
- Features – Dual temperature sensors, memory function, thermo shut-off control, fully submersible, separate controller unit with temperature readout.
Aqueon Pro 300
The Aqueon Pro 300 is a precision-calibrated adjustable aquarium heater. It is reliable and simple to use, featuring very accurate temperature controls and automatic safety shutoff if the water level ever drops below the heater.
These heaters are on the higher end of the price range compared to other heaters on the list, but they are built tough and built to last, so they are worth the extra money. They are also accurate to ± 1° F, making it simple to get your water temperature perfect.
Aqueon Pro 300 Specifications
- Aquarium Size Range – Up to 100 Gallons
- Temperature Range – 68° to 88° F (20° to 31° C)
- Heater Rod Length – 15” (38.1 cm)
- Water Type – Fresh and Salt Water
- Features – Fully submersible, auto shut-off, thermal plastic housing, aluminum heating core, and 6’ power cord.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Heater for a 75-Gallon Tank?
There are a few things to consider before choosing a heater for your 75-gallon aquarium. There can be quite a wide range in pricing on heaters, so ensuring that you get one that only has the features you actually need can save you some money when setting up your tank.
Features – While most heaters offer similar features, some heaters offer some characteristics that the more basic ones do not. Features such as LCD displays, thermo shutoffs, memory settings, and dual temperature sensors are some of the items generally only found on the more expensive models.
Safety Features – Safety features such as automatic shut-offs and heater guards should be considered when purchasing a new heater.
Price – Price and features often go hand in hand, as the cost goes up as more features are added. If you are on a tight budget, the price may be your main focus when choosing a heater. There can be quite a range in the prices of models for similar-sized tanks.
Size – The overall length of the heater needs to be considered before making a purchase. Make sure that your tank will be deep enough for the entire heating element to be submerged, without touching any plants or decorations, or interfering with the lid or lights.
Mounting Style – Some heaters can be fully immersed, and even mounted horizontally underwater, while others need to be mounted vertically, with a section at the top that can’t be placed underwater. The style you choose will come down to the size and depth of your tank, and the aesthetic you are going for in your aquarium. Check some reviews online if possible, as some of the submersible heater suction cups used for mounting are much better than others.
Style – While some aquarists prefer a simple heater with an easy-to-use dial and a singular on/off light, others prefer the newer style, with buttons to change the heat, and LCD displays to show the water temperature. This all comes down to personal preference, as both styles work equally well.
What Size Aquarium Heater is Needed for a 75 Gallon Tank?
As a general rule of thumb, your aquarium heater will need to output at least 3 to 5 watts of power for every gallon of water. Other variables can affect this, but that is a good place to start.
75 gallons x 3 watts = 225 watts
75 gallons x 5 watts = 375 watts
Based on that simple calculation, you would need a heater between 225 and 375 watts. 300 watts is the average of the two results, so that is a great place to start. Each brand will have its own ratings based on the calculations listed on the heater, but the formula gives you a baseline to go from.
The main factor that needs to be considered besides the size of your aquarium is the ambient temperature of the room it will be placed in. If the ambient temperature in the room is too much lower than the water temperature, the water temperature may drop faster than your heater can heat it back up.
Remember to enter the ambient room temperature during the coldest time of the year, to ensure your heater(s) can keep up once the air temperature starts to drop. If you live in a hot environment, this could actually be the summer months, when the air conditioning is turned up to maximum.
Where Should I Place My Heater In A 75 Gallon Tank?
The placement of the heater in your tank depends on the type of aquarium heater that you’ve chosen for your tank. If you have an immersible heater, the best way to ensure even heating of the water is to put it horizontally, near the bottom of the tank. This will help prevent one side of the tank from heating up more than the other.
If you are using an older style of heater, they must be mounted vertically with the top above the water level. These heaters should be placed near the outlet of your filter, or near a powerhead. This will help to move the heated water around the tank evenly. Placing it in an area with little or no circulation can cause that area to heat up unevenly, and the other areas of the tank to stay cooler.
The third type of heater is an inline heater, which is plumbed right into your filtration system. These require a filter-type canister, as the heater is installed directly into the output tube of the filter. While these types of heaters do free up some space in your tank, they are generally more expensive than in-tank heaters, and can also be prone to leaking.
Once you have your heater up and running, check the temperature of the water in multiple locations around the tank with a quality thermometer, This will help you find any areas of the tank that aren’t getting heated properly.
Wherever you decide to place your heater, make sure the power indicator light is visible when you are viewing the tank. This is the only indicator on most heaters that it is on and working, so it is important to be able to see the light.
Do You Need an Aquarium Heater for your 75 Gallon Tank?
Your tank’s heating requirements will depend on the fish or plants you plan on keeping in it. Tropical fish are accustomed to warmer water in their natural environment, and can’t survive for very long in a tank without heated water.
If you are keeping freshwater fish, depending on the species, you may be able to get away with not having a heater in the tank. Species such as danio, loaches, killifish, and barbs can thrive in tanks without heaters, provided the ambient temperature in the room they are in is a reasonable temperature.
If you are thinking about setting up a tank with no heater, spend some time researching fish species that can live in the range of 65° to 72° F (20° to 22° C) before making any live fish purchases.
Should I Use Two Heaters In My 75 Gallon Tank?
There are several reasons that a 75-gallon tank would require a second heater, including the location of the heater(s) and the water circulation in the tank.
If you have one heater and it is placed beside or near the outlet of your filter, or if you have a powerhead in your tank, odds are that you’ve got enough circulation in your tank to not need a second heater. If you have lots of decorations and plants breaking up the flow of water, or if the heater is located nowhere near the filter, you may have warmer and cooler areas of water in your tank. This can be fixed by adding a second heater, at the opposite end of the tank as the first one.
Another reason that a second heater may be required is if the tank is located in a room with a cool ambient air temperature. If there is too much of a difference between the air temperature and the water temperature in the cooler months, a single heater may struggle to keep up. Adding a second heater is a great option to lower the burden on the 1st heater. Once you’ve figured out the correct heater wattage you’ll need, buying two smaller heaters can be much more affordable than buying one powerful one.
Do I Need A Backup Heater In My 75 Gallon Tank?
Some people may install them and never have to use them, but having a backup heater is a fairly good idea. This is especially true if you have expensive fish in your aquarium or a species that can’t handle the temperature changing more than a few degrees. Even if it never gets used, it is a cheap form of insurance just in case your main heater ever has an issue.
By placing a second heater in the tank, and setting the temperature roughly 2-4° below what the main heater is set at, your tank will have an emergency backup if the main heater ever quits. While the main heater is working properly, the water should never get cold enough to turn the backup heater on. However, if something ever happens to the main heater, the backup will turn on within a few degrees, and begin to heat the tank back up.
A backup heater can also be used to supplement the main heater during the cooler months of the year, and then turned back down and used as a backup in the springtime.
