Can i use just a light for a betta or..?

Question

or should i get a heater. the tank is 5.5 gal, and there is a hood with a light in it. would one be ok with just a light, or should it have both?

i have had many bettas, and they always die of ick or fin rot. i figured it was because i didnt have a heater.

hmm i had a sea shell in the tank with a plant, maybe he got cut on that. but it doesnt explain the first betta that died of ick, he only had a cave and a plant in his tank

oh and my female that died had clamped fins, then fin rot..

Answer 1

Bettas can survive without a heater but adding one would improve living conditions in your tank. Ich is sometimes a sign of the water getting too cold or the fish getting stressed. If you go to your local fish store you should be able to find a heater that is the right size for your tank.

Answer 2

First, the best way to prevent finrot and Ick, is to clean your tank, and quarantine plants and fish. Finrot is an infection, if your tank is clean, the bacteria won't survive for long. If you quarantine fish and plants, it is very unlikely that you will have Ick in your tank. Heaters will help your Betta fight these ailments, but will not prevent them. If you get your Betta a heater (which you should), it will be more active, more colorful, and healthier. Lamps should not be used as heaters because they create a fluctuation in temperature when the light is turned off. I assume you have a filter? With a filter, vacuum the tank's gravel once a week (only remove about a gallon of water each time). If you do not have a filter, vacuum the gravel twice a week and remove 2 gallons of water each time. Email me if you have any questions.

Nosoop4u

EDIT: Ick is a parasite, it doesn't just happen. It must be introduced into the tank.

Answer 3

Bettas DO need a heater despite what everyone else is saying. They are a tropical fish and they prefer water temperatures to be at 72-82 F. Unless the water temperature is regulated they can get stressed out and get every disease under the sun (or at least have a weaker immune system). Also, your tank should be cleaned at 25-50% every week to get out all the nasty rotting food and excrement at the bottom of the tank. Stress coat, a 7.0 ph balancer, and aquarium salt do not hurt either! (These should be added every time you change the tank water).

Please research more at bettatalk.com I have had 2 bettas for 5 months now and they are survivors but they do need some TLC. That website was the first one I went to and it has some great information.

Answer 4

My female bettas are in a 5 gallon acylic curved front tank and although the manufacturer of the tank said the light would be sufficient for heat, bettas like warm water. I bought a separate heater (test tube type), look at the wattage on the package while at the store, it will tell you how many watts the heater should be for a particular size tank. Remember, betta orginated in Siam and small pools of water that got very hot, so they like heat.

Answer 5

The light doesn't do it, you will need a heater to provide constant regular temperature for your betta, especially at nights
Get yourself a heater with 25watt, they're about $12-$20 depending what brand you buy, but get one that is submursable and adjustable, the preset ones are not worth the money you pay for them

As for the light, only leave it on for 10-12 hours during the day and turn it off for 12-14 hours at night


hope that helps
Good luck


EB


feel free to email me for any questions

Answer 6

If your fish are dying of fin rot it probably because a fin coul'dve gotten a little tore up and gotten an infection. Bettas don't need heaters they're fine w/o them but you should buy a heater if you want to breed. He/She will be fine w/o it. But treat your tank to some Maroxy or something so they won't get fin rot and/or fungus. Also, make sure that your plants or rocks and to sharp or hard so its fins won't get hurt. Hope it helps.

Answer 7

betta fish don't NEED a heater, but one would be desirable, and make conditions more comfortable for the fish. Lights don't give off heat, unless they are "heat lamps", which you wouldn't have in a hood.

Answer 8

both would be better but the light would keep your betta warm enough.