Warming up a Betta tank

[Lady Friesian]

Hi,
My betta lives in an approximately 3 gallon tank by himself (the tank's antique, so I don't know what it "officially" holds, but holds about 3 gallons when not filled to the rim). Unfortunately it's only 68 degrees in there, so I wanted to get him a heater.

Would a 25W Visi-therm stealth heater be appropriate in a tank this size? If not, any recommendations? I don't want to fry him!

[Master212]

A 10-15w heater should be fine for a 3 gallon

[Lady Friesian]

Wow...thanks for the fast response!

Where do you get 10-15W heaters? The lowest I've seen are 25W, not counting the 7.5W ones w/o a thermostat or enough power.

[Master212]

The 15 watt heater I have in my betta tank was bought at Fins.Inc(specialty store) Most specialty stores have them....IM sure your local fish store might have them too.Maybe petco or petsmart

[Master212]

Is this your first aquarium?

[Master212]

Think you can take a picture of your betta tank? That way I can pick a size heater for it. If you want or can.

[webcricket]

A 25 watt heater will be fine for a 3 gallon tank. I have a 25 watt in my 2 gallon and it keeps a nice steady temperature. Be sure to raise the temperature slowly so as not to shock the betta. They do make heaters of lower wattage, but these are not adjustable.

[GirlieGirl8521]

I agree ^^. I have a 25w Stealth heater in my 3g and it keeps my betta nice and toasty. My only complaint about it is that it takes up more room than I'd like, but its not too much I guess. ;)

[CobiaLover]

I also have a 25w adjustable heater in my 2.5 gal. Betta/frog tank it does a great job and once it was set up and adjusted right it keeps the water at a good temp ( 76 degrees in my case) without much fluxuation.

[Lady Friesian]

Thank you for the advice, everyone!

Master212: I couldn't find a 15W on the internet, and I'm almost positive my LFS doesn't have anything that small. BTW, this is my third aquarium, but the smallest one. :)

Everyone else: I think I'll go with the 25W and a thermometer to keep an eye on it.

Here's a picture, for what it's worth. His name's Bartleby.

[Daudzegier]

they also make, for reptiles a stick on heater that goes underneath an aquarium. You can get them as low as 10watts. Most arent adjustable though, so i would test it on another similar bowl or something before adhereing it to see if it gets above 84 degrees. If not, you could use that sticky pad underneath, and it wouldnt take any room from your bowl at all!

[jessicar613]

I like the antique tank; it looks awesome! Very classy.

I was wondering when I saw that pic if an undertank heater was safe to use with an aquarium (w/ water in it). It would be nice to have an invisible heater.

[webcricket]

That is a very cool vintage tank. I love the shape of it! You should definitely be able to disguise the heater behind the plant.

[Lady Friesian]

That is a very cool vintage tank. I love the shape of it! You should definitely be able to disguise the heater behind the plant.

Thanks! I'll be doing that. I don't really want to put a non-adjustable, non-aquarium heater under it, but thanks for the suggestion.