Need way to warm up 2 1/2g tank w/Betta

[greenday04]

Good Monday all!

My hubby and I went to San Francisco for 2 nights and came back and our Betta, Frank Jr, was doing and looking great. And so were we after days away from our kids (7 1/2 & 3 1/2)!

My questions is about his water temp. I keep the house comfortable for us, which can't be more than 70 cause will sweat to death, and his water temp is only 70 degrees too.

Is this warm enought for him, I seem have seen that it isn't. Also is this warm enought to get the nitrites going? It has been 2 weeks w/regular water changes, to keep the ammonia down, but there are no signs of nitrites and the only way to get the ammonia back down is w/daily water changes. Ammonia is at between 0 & .25 and the nitrite is at 0.

If I need to raise it please let me know how. I really don't want to buy a heater since the tank is so small.

Thanks

[MikefromNH]

I'm pretty much a newbie but 99% of the bettas I've seen have been in a small bowl (no heaters). Look in any pet shop. I would think 68-70F in your home would be just fine as that's what your fishes water temp will be. I'm not sure about bettas but 0-.25 ppm of ammonia is well within the safe zone for most fish. Ideally you want 0 ammonia. Like I said, I'm a newbie so don't rely on just my input. Hope this helps.

[Toro Driver]

Heater (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=3925&inm=1&N=2004+112984+113565) This is what I use for my Betta, it does a good job of holding the tank at a steady 76deg. It is my understanding that a steady temp is more important than the temp itself. Someone else may be able to give you a better range than I can.

[mayreee]

I would say get the heater. If a steady temp is more important then we would have no need for heaters.

[betta V3.0]

You could get something like this

http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/F45/Class/Fish+Supplies+Heaters/T1/F45+0418+0016/EDP/44886/Itemdy00.aspx

that should bump it up a little or if you have a walmart near by (and who doesn't) they sell jr. heaters by marketech (I think) which almost was enough for my 5 gallon tank at 64 - 68 degrees, so I am sure it would work on a smaller aquarium.

[britta6867]

i own 2 bettas in 2.5 g tanks and heating is sort of a prob.i have come to find out that even the smallest heater can overheat the tanks rather quickly.i have a regular light bulb in the hood of the tank and that seems to work.mabye there is anybody esle with some advice.

[the_dougie]

your best shot if you're really concerned about heat is a small light (dont put him in the sun, he'll freak out), but that'll bug the guy when hes trying to sleep...
If you get get any submerging heater for a 2.5 gal, you'll wake up with a nicely cooked fish one day, and that'll likely be sooner than later.
You could search for heating pads to put the tank on. They're less powerful which is good in this case, but I still wouldnt trust them.
IMO your best shot would be to try putting him closer to a vent, and moniter the temperature for a while to see if it shoots up too quickly.

[Kasakato]

It might be best to get a bigger tank.

[Swimfins]

I keep mine with a desk lamp on over him. Water temp is in the 70's The lamp alone provides enough warmth.

[sky.eyes.woman]

The desk lamp idea sounds like a good one. I had a customer use a small under-tank heater for reptiles on her 2 gallon betta tank and she said it worked well, but those are kind of expensive. My fry are doing well in an unheated 2.5 gallon tank, but we keep it pretty warm in our apt.

[greenday04]

your best shot if you're really concerned about heat is a small light (dont put him in the sun, he'll freak out), but that'll bug the guy when hes trying to sleep...

I know that his small lite on his tank freaks him out when the TV and the other lites in the room are off cause he can see his reflections and the flaring and crazy swimming starts. I it fun to watch him for a few minutes but that is it. I know I would freak out if I saw my reflection in the dark!!! :laugh:

If you get get any submerging heater for a 2.5 gal, you'll wake up with a nicely cooked fish one day, and that'll likely be sooner than later.

I was definately thinking that! How would you know when your asleep what was going on in the other room.

You could search for heating pads to put the tank on. They're less powerful which is good in this case, but I still wouldnt trust them.
IMO your best shot would be to try putting him closer to a vent, and moniter the temperature for a while to see if it shoots up too quickly.

I would move him towards a vent but he has a great spot now for my pleasure anyway. He seems fine I was just concerned about the good bacteria not being able to grow in such a low temp. No one seemed to let me know about that.

He does have a small lite in his tank hood but I turn it off at nite due to the freaking out thing! Siamese Fighting Fish you know.

Thanks again!!! :)

[russjet]

i would assume the cycle will happen in lower temperatures

as coldwater tanks still cycle dont they

[the_dougie]

As long as the temperatures in the "danger zone" (4C-60C or so) the bacteria will grow :)