Something I've pondered doing for a while now is taking my HOB filters, drilling a hold in the sides and siliconing a heater into the filter. This way, the heater will be entirely submersed except for the very top of the heater. I'm figuring this will do 2 things... 1: It will keep the filter out of the tank and 2: It will put the heater in a spot where water will constantly be circulating across it. Plus, it adds extra mechanical filtration. It's a win win if you ask me lol. Any thoughts or ideas?

I dont know much about HOB's, we dont get them in England

I don't quite follow you. What is the purpose of drilling the holes? You could just put the heater in the HOB?

Well yea, that's what I do now. Just trying to make it look better. That and the heaters I use are a lil bit too long. Don't want too many heaters plugged in. Just a thought.

brichter04 wrote:
"Something I've pondered doing for a while now is taking my HOB filters, drilling a hold in the sides and siliconing a heater into the filter. This way, the heater will be entirely submersed except for the very top of the heater."

you couldn't fully submerge your heater before?


"I'm figuring this will do 2 things... 1: It will keep the filter out of the tank and 2: Plus, it adds extra mechanical filtration.
"

How would putting a heater in the filter keep the filter out of the tank?
How would it add mechanical filtration?

Sounds like a groooooovy idea, though.

Oops. Typo. Will keep the "heater" out of the tank and add mech. filtration with the filter cartridges. HOB filters only seem to be good for mech. and chem. filtration. Would still need canisters full of bio media. I don't like too many things in the tank like air lines, heaters and whatnot. Makes it look too busy.

Im doing this in one of my tanks right now. In my 29 gallon I have a 15 gallon heater in the HOB and a 30 gallon heater under the HOB in the tank. When I first filled it up it heated up so quickly. I got the idea from the instructions to my heater. Supposedly the brand that makes my heater also makes filters that fit the heater right into it.

brichter04 wrote:

My HOB has bio media working.