This article is from the Aquaria: Plants FAQ, by multiple authors.
The exact benefits of substrate heating have not been proven yet, but
it is believed they provide long-term stability to a tank. If you are
a beginner, it's hardly worth messing with before mastering the basics
(fertilization, lighting, etc). If, though, you are a gadget freak or
love to spend money, you may get a sense of pride from installing a
cable heating system. (Some believe that a very slow UGF can provide
the same benefits.)
 
Continue to: