Heater placement, does it matter?

[Midas-n-Titus]

Does it matter where you place the heater of your tank? Is it better to place it in the middle, on the side, does it matter?

I know, sounds like a newbie question... although I've had my tank for 3 years, there's a lot I don't know and this forum seems to get more action.

 

[Blinky]

I've seen people position heaters vertically, horizontally and on a diagonal, AFAIK it doesn't affect performance. I think as long as there's decent water flow around the heater and it's not touching the gravel/decorations you should be fine.

 

[Teelie]

Place the heater near an outflow or somewhere that gets a lot of current to maximise the spread of heat through the tank. I have all my heaters placed under or near the outflows on my filters.

 

[Roan Art]

Other than what Teelie said, which is the best place to put it, whether you align it horizontally or vertically or diagonally is up to you.

Roan