Bettas need heat!!!

[ChilDawg]

Yeah, that's a "No, duh." I noticed this morning, though, that Patriot wasn't doing so hot...he was less active than usual. I figured that it might have been the lighting or maybe the decreased amount of food, but I went straight for one place in the room. Sure enough, the thermostat was low (71*F).

College kids and people with roommates, if you have a Betta in a small, unheated tank, make sure that that thermostat isn't being moved down! My suitemates and I are going to have a talk about that, as I can't easily put a heater on my 2-1/2 gallon. (I can, however, turn on the incandescent lighting for a bit daily, but that might heat it too much.)

That is another reason why I'd recommend heated tanks for Bettas. It just happened that I was forced into getting one cheaply and quickly because of his belligerence. I'm getting a thermometer for it on Sunday, and then I'm going to talk with my roomies when they get back on Monday.

I just thought that you should know...learning from my negative experiences has helped a few people this week...hopefully, since this experience wasn't hugely deleterious, people can learn from it, too!

~Matthew

[anonapersona]

This heater will fit the 2 1/2 gallon tank....

Mini submersible heater -- DrsFosterSmith.com (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=3925)

[ChilDawg]

Thanks, anonapersona, but those are really overpowered for a 2.5 gallon since they're at 10 or 20 W/gallon.

[ChilDawg]

I should ask, though, if anyone has used these for a 2.5 and, if so, if they have had any problems...

[OrionGirl]

The 10 watts will work, but they have to be montiored. I use one in my tank, but have it on a timer so it's only on during the night. The light keeps the tank a pretty steady temperature during the day, and I've only seen the heater come on at night maybe once or twice.

There are very small heaters, that say they are for 2.5 gallon tanks, but I don't recommend one. Most of these are not adjustable, and tend to stay on all the time--bad news in a small tank. I tried one, and it got my tank up to 90!

[ChilDawg]

If I'm dealing with a thermostat, do I need one?

If the thermostat dies, there won't be power in the rest of the room anyway, but should I have a backup heater like the Drs. Foster and Smith model anyway?

[anonapersona]

Clink that link and you'll see that this an an adjustable, submersible heater, with accuracy of +/- 0.5 degrees.

My daughter has them in her 2 1/2 gallon tanks, but a new addition so not tested thru the winter. Recommended from another betta board.

I think there are smaller heaters than this, but they are not adjustable and as OrionGirl said, would need to be monitored pretty carefully.

As for overpowered, well, you want the heater to keep the fish warm even if the room is cold, which is harder to do with a tiny tank. Still, failure is a bad thing, whether failed on or failed off.

[ChilDawg]

I understood that part, but I am cautious about using heaters that are rated to a number of watts well beyond what the tank is supposed to be able to take...the fact that it is recommended throughout boards and by you...and used in your tanks...is helpful and tells me good things about it. I appreciate the suggestion and corroboration, and I will be purchasing one of them soon after the consultation. Thanks for your help, anonapersona! I apologize for questioning you.

[fisherman]

Childawg, I've had the 25w Hagen in my 2.5 gallon beta tank for more than 6 months. It works great, never had a problem with it overheating the tank, and Milo loves it. I think you will too!!

[ChilDawg]

More good things to say about that...I'll be getting it soon! :)

Thanks, all!

[anonapersona]

Originally posted by ChilDawg
I appreciate the suggestion and corroboration, and I will be purchasing one of them soon after the consultation. Thanks for your help, anonapersona! I apologize for questioning you.

Good lord, ChilDawg -- Questioning is what these forums are all about!!!

Don't EVER hesitate to quiz someone about what they've said. We all are very nice about things here, so no offense should ever be taken. It is very important that people be asked to back up things, so we can all sort out what is unsubstantiated opinion and what is based on expereice. You caught me on that here, my info was based on hearsay, not experience. As I noted, my daughter has those, but they are new, not used over the winter yet.

The questions and comments were valid... should someone fry a fish with this heater I want them to at least have considered that the wattage IS above what you would want on a watts per gallon basis.

Just because I post a lot does not mean that I know a lot. I've been keeping fish in aquariums for almost one year now. I read a lot, but I am short on actual experience.

[ChilDawg]

We're about even in our experience, then, anonapersona...I'm glad that you take questioning so well...I know that others aren't as happy to be questioned! Thanks again for the advice and I'll be ordering that heater as soon as I can get a hand on the parents' credit card! :)

[Raithan Ellis]

ChilDawg - Have you given any thought to getting a 5 gallon tank while you're out getting that heater? ;)

[PumaWard]

I just have a quick question... can some bettas live quite happily in the lower 70's?

[ChilDawg]

Originally posted by Raithan Ellis
ChilDawg - Have you given any thought to getting a 5 gallon tank while you're out getting that heater? ;)

Yeah, I've given thought to that, and then putting a pair of platies in the 2.5g...good point, Raithan! :)

PumaWard: Not happily...they need temps above 75*F for long-term survival.

[ChilDawg]

Do heaters work in acrylic tanks or do you see problems arising?

[delmore]

Originally posted by PumaWard
I just have a quick question... can some bettas live quite happily in the lower 70's?

Some definitely can, but most can't. Bettas like it hot - 80 degrees is fine. At lower temps they stop eating. Raise the temp and they start eating.

[farli]

I bought a small heater at walmart for my 3 gallon. It said up to 5 gal. I monitered it and keped it on all day and the temp stayed at 82*F...but i don't remember what it was called...worked like a charm...no settings to worry about...my tank was acrilic (sp?)

[fisherman]

It's called a Junior heater and mine lasted about three weeks. I've read others who had the same experience. Keep an eye on your temp - there's no warning when it stops working. Hopefully yours will be better!!

[ChilDawg]

Oh, I saw those Jr. Heaters at Wal-Mart. If it works for you, go ahead and keep it but monitor carefully...just be advised that they're not that great. I'm gonna get the Hagen, but I need to get a 5g tank for Patriot at some point soon and must know if acrylic is okay long-term...

[OrionGirl]

Acrylic and heaters are fine. Heaters come with the plastic clamps and suction cups, and I recommend using them in all tanks, to prevent the heater from coming into direct contact with any object. I have heaters in my acrylic 5 gallon tanks and have never had a problem.

[ChilDawg]

Thx, OG, that's what I needed to know! :)