I have a 2.5 gallon unfiltered tank and I have tried two different heaters for my betta Marvin, neither which seems to be working. One was a 7.5 watt which was a waste and now the 25 watt doesn't seem to be doing a thing. I even turned it up to the highest setting, and nothing. The water temp fluctuates between 68-72 degrees and I would like it somewhere between 72-78. Any ideas? Since a higher wattage heater isn't an option, I don't know what else to do.
2007-10-24 09:43:54 · 6 answers · asked by Fernif 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Update: I have to hang my head as I say this, but Copperhead was right on the money with the heater being turned "up" or "down'. I took the heater out and looked at the knob again; I had unwittingly it turned to low. Poor Marvin, but hopefully we are back on track. Thank you to you for the constructive advice that was given. If I run in to the same problem after turning it up, I now have some other things to try for my guy. I really appreciate it.
2007-10-24 10:44:25 · update #1
I'd agree that the 7.5 watt wouldn't do much - you should have around 5 watts per gallon as a starting point, but if you're raising the temperature more than 10 degrees above room temperature, you might need a 50 watt.
Does the heater have a light to indicate the heater is "on" or "off"? Is the light coming on? If not, be sure the heater is turned "up" all the way, not "down". Also be sure it's plugged in (it may seem obvious, but if you unplug the heater to clean or do water changes, you wouldn't be the first person who forgot to plug it back in when finished).
The "working" may also be related to the lack of a filter or airstone. Without water movement, the heater may heat the water immediately next to it, but as soon as the internal sensor registers the "correct" temperature, it turns off. You may need somenthing to circulate the water so the cooler water in other parts of the tank get brought around and athe warm water next to the heater dispersed.
2007-10-24 09:56:15 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bettas are ok in my opinion at at least 70.
Just leave your heater on at this temperature.
It sounds to me like you are being too impatient but i might be wrong.
With a small tank heat is lost and gained pretty quickly so it might be best to have a non-heated tank if you cant keep the temperature stable.
I hate the way most people keep bettas but if you insist in keeping it in a small tank then you will have to make the best of it. Get him an air pump as well if you can, it will help the water quality. If you are not using a filter, then dont use gravel and it will just hold all the fish waste.]
A live plant is a good idea along with an ornament.
Bettas are tropical fish but are temperature fluctuations will just stress him out
2007-10-24 16:52:19 · answer #2 · answered by Cambridge Aquatics 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this may sound stupid,but... have you checked to make sure that the outlet is still working? Sometimes weird things happen like that. How long did you wait before determining that the heater didn't work, usually it takes a few hours for a new heater to take complete control over the water temperature.
if you keep having issues you can a) use a light to heat the water or b) get a larger tank.
good luck!
2007-10-24 16:54:41 · answer #3 · answered by Alison B 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since it's such a small tank, you might consider getting a small clamp-style lamp for it. It will provide lighting for your fish as well as heat the water.
2007-10-24 16:50:40 · answer #4 · answered by Quiet Tempest 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
so the heater wont heat?
its then a junk made one!
if a heater doesn't heat thats pretty bad!
2007-10-24 16:49:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
something maybe jamming it. Or it's not plugged in all the way.
Just something simple like that
2007-10-24 17:15:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋