substrate heating

[iwantareef16]

Is a substrate heating cable really worth getting. And do you need the sand to disperse the heat evenly.

 

[malkore]

no, its not worth it. save your money.

 

[travis simonson]

All evidence I've read would indicate that heating cables provide no appreciable benefits in a planted tank. This comes from several very experienced hobbyists, one of whom did an actual study to determine if there were any benefits to heating cables and concluded that there was no statistical evidence to indicate that they helped the plants at all. I have to admit I have never used them so can only quote what I've read.

 

[workfortheman]

I've read that maybe over very long term periods they are beneficial to the substrate (several years at least) but at the same time I've read that they should be the VERY LAST thing to invest in!