Pet Supplies Plus carries a selection of aquarium heaters, mostly from mainstream brands like Tetra, Aqueon, and Marineland, typically priced between $15 and $45 depending on wattage. If you need a heater quickly and Pet Supplies Plus is your local option, you'll find functional choices there. But the brand selection at brick-and-mortar pet retailers is more limited than what's available online, and for reef tanks or sensitive freshwater setups, you can do significantly better with a dedicated aquarium retailer.

This guide walks through the heater options you're likely to find at Pet Supplies Plus, what wattage you actually need for your tank, when the in-store options are fine versus when you should order something better, and which specific models are worth upgrading to if you're keeping fish or corals that require precise temperature control.

What Pet Supplies Plus Typically Carries

Pet Supplies Plus stocks their aquarium heater section with reliable mid-range products from brands that have widespread retail distribution. The specific inventory varies by location, but most stores carry a consistent core selection.

Tetra HT Submersible Heaters

The Tetra HT series is a staple at pet retail chains including Pet Supplies Plus. These are pre-set submersible heaters, meaning they maintain a fixed temperature around 78°F without adjustment. The 50-watt version handles tanks up to 10 gallons, the 100-watt covers up to 30 gallons, and the 150-watt handles up to 45 gallons. Retail prices typically run $12 to $22 at Pet Supplies Plus.

The Tetra HT works reliably for casual community fish tanks. The pre-set design means there's no temperature dial, which is fine if 78°F suits your fish. It's not appropriate for fish that need temperatures outside that range, and it's not suitable for reef tanks where temperature control within one or two degrees matters.

Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater

The Aqueon Pro is the better heater option you're likely to find at Pet Supplies Plus. It has a fully adjustable dial, an LED indicator showing heating status, and includes an auto-shutoff if it's accidentally exposed to air. The 50-watt version handles tanks up to 15 gallons, the 100-watt covers up to 30 gallons, the 150-watt up to 45 gallons, and the 200-watt covers up to 65 gallons.

Pet Supplies Plus typically prices the Aqueon Pro 100-watt around $22 to $28. That's reasonable for what you get. The Aqueon Pro has a decent reliability record for basic freshwater use, though the temperature calibration can drift over time and benefits from periodic verification with a separate thermometer.

Marineland Precision Heater

Some Pet Supplies Plus locations carry Marineland Precision heaters, which use an adjustable dial similar to the Aqueon Pro and are comparably priced. The Marineland brand has a solid reputation in the entry-to-mid range.

What You Won't Find There

You won't find titanium heaters, inline heaters, or controller-compatible heaters at Pet Supplies Plus. Brands like Eheim Jager, Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm, Finnex Titanium, and Fluval E Series are generally not carried in brick-and-mortar pet retail stores. These are the heaters that serious freshwater and reef hobbyists actually use.

Wattage Selection: Getting This Right

Buying the wrong wattage is one of the most common heater mistakes. Too little wattage and the heater runs continuously and still can't maintain target temperature in cold rooms. Too much and the heater cycles on and off rapidly, which puts mechanical stress on the thermostat and reduces accuracy.

The general guideline is 3 to 5 watts per gallon for most situations:

  • A 10-gallon tank needs 30 to 50 watts
  • A 29-gallon tank needs 100 to 150 watts
  • A 55-gallon tank needs 200 to 300 watts
  • A 75-gallon tank needs 300 watts (often two 150-watt units)
  • A 125-gallon tank needs 400 to 600 watts (usually two units)

The exact wattage depends on how cold your room gets. If your home drops below 65°F in winter, size toward the higher end. If you keep your house at 72°F year-round, the lower end works fine. For tanks over 55 gallons, I recommend using two heaters rather than one large unit. Two heaters at 150 watts each for a 55-gallon tank is more reliable than one 300-watt unit, and if one fails, the second prevents a catastrophic temperature crash.

When the Pet Supplies Plus Selection Is Sufficient

For basic freshwater community tanks with hardy fish like tetras, guppies, danios, and platies, the Aqueon Pro or Tetra HT from Pet Supplies Plus will do the job. These fish tolerate temperatures between 74 and 80°F without issue, and the heaters available at pet retail chains maintain those ranges adequately.

If you're setting up your first 10 to 29-gallon tank, need a heater today, and aren't keeping anything particularly temperature-sensitive, buying an Aqueon Pro 100-watt at Pet Supplies Plus is completely reasonable. It's a functional heater at a fair in-store price.

For bettas (ideally 78 to 80°F), goldfish (65 to 72°F, often no heater needed), or discus (82 to 86°F), you need an adjustable heater. The pre-set Tetra HT won't work for temperature-specific requirements like these.

When to Skip Pet Supplies Plus and Order Something Better

Reef and Saltwater Tanks

For any saltwater or reef system, the heater options at Pet Supplies Plus are not adequate. Reef corals, particularly SPS species like Acropora, can suffer stress from temperature swings of even 2°F. You need a heater that holds temperature precisely and ideally one that integrates with a temperature controller like the Inkbird ITC-306T or Neptune Apex.

Large Tanks Over 55 Gallons

Pet Supplies Plus typically doesn't carry heaters above 200 to 300 watts, which limits your options for larger tanks. For a 75-gallon or larger setup, you'll need to order online.

Discus, Altum Angelfish, and High-Temperature Species

Discus need steady temperatures of 82 to 86°F. Temperature accuracy of ±1°F matters more with discus than almost any other common aquarium fish. The Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm 200-watt heater, which holds temperature to ±0.5°F, is a significantly better choice for a discus tank than anything you'll find at Pet Supplies Plus.

For reef tank heaters specifically, see the Best Reef Tank Heater guide, which covers submersible, inline, and titanium options at every price point.

Better Heaters Worth Ordering Online

Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm

The Neo-Therm is a slim, flat heater with an LED temperature display and accuracy of ±0.5°F. The 200-watt version typically runs $40 to $55 online. It's appropriate for freshwater tanks up to 65 gallons. For the money, it's one of the most accurate and reliable non-titanium heaters available. The flat profile makes it easy to hide behind rocks or decorations.

Eheim Jager Thermostat Heater

The Eheim Jager is a fully glass, fully submersible heater with a wide temperature range (65 to 93°F) and a calibration screw for dial accuracy. The 200-watt version costs around $30 to $40 online and handles tanks up to 65 gallons. The Jager has a 20+ year track record in the hobby and is considered one of the most reliable options at its price point.

Finnex HMO Titanium Tube Heater

The Finnex titanium heater is a great choice for saltwater systems. Titanium is completely corrosion-proof in salt water, which glass heaters are not over the long term. The HMO controller tube accepts temperature input from a separate controller, making it easy to integrate with an Apex or Inkbird. Typical online pricing is $40 to $60 for the 200-watt version.

Fluval E Series

The Fluval E Series electronic heater includes a digital display showing real-time water temperature and uses a dual temperature sensor to monitor for rapid temperature changes and alert you to potential problems. The E300 (300 watts, suitable for tanks up to 100 gallons) typically runs $65 to $80 online. It's one of the more feature-rich options for freshwater tanks and comes with Fluval's solid warranty support.

Using a Temperature Controller

If heater reliability is a concern, pairing any heater with an external temperature controller is the safest approach. The controller plugs into the wall, the heater plugs into the controller, and the controller's probe reads the actual tank temperature. The controller turns the heater on and off based on real temperature readings rather than the heater's internal thermostat.

The Inkbird ITC-306T is a popular choice at around $25 to $35. It has a heating and cooling relay, so you can control both a heater and a chiller from one unit. The Ranco ETC-111000 is a commercial-grade equivalent at around $60 to $80. Using a controller with even a basic heater eliminates the risk of thermostat failure causing overheating.

For more equipment options across all aquarium categories, Best Aquarium Equipment covers top picks from heaters to filtration to lighting.

FAQ

Does Pet Supplies Plus carry titanium aquarium heaters?

No. Pet Supplies Plus stocks standard glass and plastic submersible heaters from Tetra, Aqueon, and Marineland. Titanium heaters are generally only available through dedicated aquarium retailers or online.

What wattage aquarium heater should I buy at Pet Supplies Plus for a 20-gallon tank?

A 100-watt heater is appropriate for a 20-gallon tank in a typical home environment. The Aqueon Pro 100-watt or a comparable 100-watt adjustable heater will maintain temperature reliably. If your home gets below 65°F in winter, step up to the 150-watt option.

Are the heaters sold at Pet Supplies Plus reliable enough for reef tanks?

No. Reef tanks require more precise temperature control than standard pet retail heaters provide. For any reef or saltwater system, use a titanium or quality glass heater from a dedicated aquarium brand paired with an external temperature controller.

How do I know if the temperature on my Pet Supplies Plus heater is accurate?

Verify with a separate digital thermometer. Dial heaters from mass-market brands often run 2 to 5 degrees off their indicated setting. After installing a new heater, let it run for 24 hours, check the actual water temperature with a calibrated thermometer, and adjust the dial accordingly.

The Bottom Line

Pet Supplies Plus is a convenient option when you need a heater today for a basic freshwater community tank. The Aqueon Pro line is their best offering and works reliably for casual setups. But for reef tanks, precise temperature requirements, or tanks over 55 gallons, order online. The Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm, Eheim Jager, and Finnex titanium heaters are all meaningfully better than what you'll find on a pet retail shelf, and they're not dramatically more expensive.