Betta Question?

Question

Whenever I clean out my tank for my Betta, I put a good temperature water in there. Not to hot, not to cold. But after a while, the water getts really cold. i cannot change the location of the tank or add a lid. What should I do? Is there anything I can put in there to make the fish feel warm or maybe make the water a bit warmer? I heard or something called "Stress Coat" for fish. Has anybody used that before? Does it work?

I don't think I can use a heater, because i am can't spend the extra money. Don't ask why and i am not cruel just in case someone is going to say that.

I am just going to add another question on here, too cheap to spend 5 more points;) I keep my male Betta in a 1 gallon tank. is that okay? They live in little cups at the pet shop, so i thought this 1 gallon tank it bigger, so he would like it. I don't have any other fish in there by the way.

Answer 1

Heaters are really good at keeping the temp good they make them to fish tanks now.

1 gallon is better then those tiny little cups but I keep mine in nothing smaller then 2.5 gallons, usually 5 gallons, with a filter and heater.

Answer 2

A 1 gallon tank is really too small for your betta. If you can manage to save up some money, I really strongly suggest that you upgrade to at least a 2.5 gallon tank. 5 gallons would be even better.

Also, it is not "technically" recommended that you use a heater in a 1 gallon tank. If you do choose so, be sure to buy a thermometer and and monitor the temperature on a regular basis. Heating pads are always an option, but can easily overheat the water since they are always on, whereas tank heaters turn off once they reach the desired temperature.

If you do choose to use a heater (and as the previous answers told you, you can find some cheaper heaters), remember that bettas prefer their tank temperature to be between 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Stress Coat will not make your fish warmer. That is used to add a protective slime coat to your fish to help prevent diseases.

Answer 3

I dont think you are cruel, but you should buy a heater, they hav eones at walmart that sell for under $10 for a small tank like yours. I have heard of stress coat and use it for my tropical 10 gallon tank, all it does is help mantain the slimey coat on your fish, retty much keeps it healthy, bettas can use it in thier water, my sister does and it is just fine. It doesn't keep the betta warm though, only a heater or a lamp that gives off heat can do that. Personally, I would keep the betta in a bigger tank at least 2.5 gallon, but if you have it in a one gallon, thats kinder then those homes for bettas smaller then the cups they are in. Also have you considered a small real plant? As long as it allows the betta plenty of surface area, takes up no more then 1/4 of the surface area you would be fine and it adds oxygen to your tank. Hope this helps and good luck!!!!! :)

Answer 4

Stress Coat only adds a bit of (plastic) slime to the fish in times of stress. A healthy fish doesn't need extra slime since they make their own naturally (and Stress Coat will, over time, leave a white coating on everything in your tank and the sides of the tank that is almost impossible to get off). I've had fish all my life and my father before me and we've never used Stress Coat, even when shipping fish. If a fish's slime coat has been compromised, it usually needs other medication to bring it back to full health, not Stress Coat.

If you cannot keep the room the tank is in at a steady 76-80F degrees, an incandescent light will often raise the tank temp at least a few degrees. There are also small heaters available (one that is flat and only raises the temp maybe 5 dgrees). Whatever you do, DO NOT put the tank in the sunshine because it'll raise the temp too high killing your fish, or directly on a heater which would be like cooking your fish.

Answer 5

stress coat is to help keep the parasights off your fish and most bettas adapt to the water but you can put a light up over the tank which will warm the fish up but you can also go buy a heater for your tank which shouldnt cost more then $15 and yes having your betta in a 1 gallon tank will work perfectly fine you can even put them in with certain plants so then you wont have to spend money on food good luck

Answer 6

Room temperature is good enough. Try using room temperature water too when you change the water it isn't good to have a drastic water temperature change for your fish. As long as your house is at about 70 degrees it should be okay. I have mine in a small fish bowl on a cute stand with a blue LED light. He is content and happy. You can tell if the water is too cold because your fish will not eat and will lay on the bottom or the top of the tank and not move around at all.
Stess coat is good to add to the water when you change it. It does just what the name suggest. Your fish has a slime coat on it's scales when you add this to the water it helps your fish maintain a good slime coat and helps reduce stress in your fish. Good luck.

Answer 7

You can purchase a small heater that keeps the water at a nice 70-75 degrees, or you can buy a heating pad made for fishtanks, which you put underneath the tank and it does the same thing. The stress coat won't change the temperature of the water, and if the temperature of the water is too cold for your betta he will become really inactive. I bought a small heater for mine at a drugstore for 10 dollars, so at least it's a really cheap fix! Good luck!

Answer 8

Um, heaters don't really cost that much. I bought a Top Fin 25 watt heater for my 2.5 gallon tank and it only cost me $14.99. You aren't talking about much money here. If you want a heater for you 1 gallon tank, you could get a 7.5 watt heater which is like $10 from walmart. Get a thermometer too. Those are like $1.50. You aren't talking about spending loads of money here. By the way, Top Fin is the Pet Smart brand so their stuff is always cheaper and it works too. My 25 watt heater has been keeping my tank at a nice 78 degrees F.

Answer 9

As for warming up the tank what I did was I got the tank with the light in the top....I probably paid $29( it is very cute) and it warms up the tank.

the next thing is the solution that protects the fish is call Betta Plus Bowl conditioner(it softens the water and lowers the amount of chlorine that is in tap water. it is also good for its scales and lowers the stress level of the fish. Betta fix is also a good remedy for sick Betta.
good luck

Answer 10

If you cannot afford a heater, maybe you should save up, about a dollar a day and you will have the heater in a few weeks. Otherwise if the water does not get below 65 I am sure he'd be fine...