I have my betta for a year now and just recently I have been having troubles keeping his water about 74For higher. He is in a 1 gallon tank with a hood light, filter and submersible heater for a 2 gallon tank.
I thought it was the heater so I bought a new one and the water still isn't getting warm the water temp remains 71-73F. PLEASE HELP! I never had this problem last year in the winter? What can I do to get the water around normal with out spending a whole lot of money?
P.S I will not put him in a tank larger than 2 gallons because seriously he is a fish he doesn't need a huge 5 gallon tank. At least he is not in a little dinky fish bowl.
2007-12-06 01:20:45 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
A new submersible heater for a 2 gallon tank should adequately heat the water in a 1 gallon tank. In fact, your problem should be that it is too warm. It's generally difficult to keep water in a one gallon tank at a consistent temperature with a heater because of the rate at which such a small amount of water cools when the heater is off. I can only suggest that you raise the setting on the heater.
Regarding the size of your tank and a betta. The truth is that a 5 gallon tank is the most appropriate size tank for a betta. 5 gallons of water is much each easier to keep at a consistent temperature, and with a 5 gallon tank the betta can have tank mates. A 5 gallon tank is not huge; in fact it's a very small tank. Your 1 gallon tank is extremely small and I would never put any fish in such a wee tiny container.
2007-12-06 02:28:25 · answer #1 · answered by Finatic 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Does your heater have an adjustable thermostat? Quality heaters will usually have this feature. Check the setting on yours and make sure it's at 75 or above. Is it fully submersible or a hanging model? The ones that hang have to have a constant water level or the unit can burn itself out when exposed to air.
I have to say, though, I'm a little confused. If you're of the opinion that "he is just a fish" and somehow doesn't need or deserve more than a few inches of swimming room why do you even care about his water temperature? A 1 gallon container is just a little dinky fish bowl.
* Those of you saying that bettas don't need filters are mistaken. Perhaps you're under the impression that all filters are one and the same and produce the same effect in a tank, but this isn't true. Bettas, just like every other aquarium fish, will fair better having a filter in their tank. Bettas in the wild have the benefit of biological filtration and there is no reason why bettas kept in captivity shouldn't be provided with the same. A good sponge filter would be just fine and wouldn't produce a strong current the way many other filters might.
I think giving the impression that bettas can, and therefore *should*, live in poor water conditions is very bad advice for those new to fish keeping and the primary reason why so many come here with a dozen questions concerning why their fish are ill. While many fish and animals might be able to survive harsh conditions, that doesn't mean that we should skimp on their care and allow them only the bare minimum for survival. If you buy a pet, it should be with the intention to care for that pet.
2007-12-06 02:24:10 · answer #2 · answered by Quiet Tempest 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Smaller tanks are harder to keep clean and regulate water quality and temperature. Even though you dont want to hear it, a 2, 3 or 5 gallon tank would be better for you and the fish.
Also, maybe you can find a stronger light bulb. I have my betta in a 2.5 gallon and I use a light bulb to heat it. It usually keeps the water at 78 during the day, and at night I wrap a towel around the tank, and that keeps it at about 75 most the night.
2007-12-06 05:18:23 · answer #3 · answered by Annie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is the fish in a square tank? You could cover the sides and back with corrugated cardboard as insulation. If you thought the cardboard wasn't pretty, you could use colored paper or buy a decorative photographic paper placed next to the glass. You can put holes in the cardboard and use bent paperclips as hangers.
Have you tried using both heaters at once?
Our blue betta stays at a steady 76 degrees. He is by himself in a 10-gallon tank with a heater and filter for a 20-gallon. The back and sides of the tank get covered with cardboard in the fall. Bettas do not do well when they are cold, they just lay on the bottom of the tank.
Edited to add that the filter is there for the dwarf water lilies in the tank because their leaves cover almost the entire surface of the water. The fish likes to swim under the leaves.
2007-12-06 01:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Seriously, yes, he would love to live in a larger tank. My male Betta is in a 20 gallon tank that is 1/2 full of water, so he has about 10 gallons to play in. How would you like to live your whole life in just your bedroom? That's pretty much what your Betta is in... of course, you are right about others having them in smaller containers... their fish live in a closet size room!
The smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep the temp regulated.
First off, turn off the filter!!
It runs the water through the air, cooling down water before putting it back into the tank.
What is this with all these people and filters for their Betta's??? These fish like STILL water. You do partial water changes every few days to keep his water clean.
Has no one done any research on these guys???
You can also wrap a towel around the sides of the tank to help insulate it and keep the heat in.
You can turn up the heat in your home, which will help the water some.
You can run both heaters, but be careful, you don't want to cook the little guy!
Edited to say that I am only against mechanical filters because of the water movement! Does no one ever read past the first sentence of a paragraph??
Do a 15-20 % water change every couple of days. Use a 'fish use only' turkey baster to suck the gunk off the bottom of the tank/ jar/ bowl, refill with clean dechlorinated water of the same temp. I am not saying do not keep him in a clean environment, I am saying... do it the right way!
It is far to easy to set up a filter and let it run until it is so dirty it is not doing any good.
2007-12-06 01:32:08 · answer #5 · answered by Nature Mother 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
This may sound dumb, but you never know. Is the heater temperature set at like 80 degrees? And is it plugged in and fully under the water? I just don't understand why a heater won't work for you unless you haven't adjusted the heater's temperature.
Maybe you can put the aquarium in a warmer room? Turn up the heat in your house?
2007-12-06 01:26:26 · answer #6 · answered by Loves Dogs 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He will be fine 71 to 73 is completely exceptible for him. A bigger tank will help to keep the water at more of a constant temp as well as better water quality longer but is not required for one betta. So relax and enjoy your fish. You are doing just fine.
PK
2007-12-06 01:49:58 · answer #7 · answered by Patrick K 3 · 5⤊ 4⤋
I live in upstate new york, so the winters here are COLD!.. and my beta water kept getting very cold too... so every morning and every evening I would poor so warm water into his bowl. Unfortunately he ended up dying though... my new kitten pawed at him while I wasn't home :-(.. he was such a pretty fish too, and I've had him for so long. Good luck!
2007-12-06 01:28:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
what kind of thermometer are you using? maybe invest in another one of those, you never know. some of them can be notoriously inaccurate.
2007-12-06 01:27:05 · answer #9 · answered by catx 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
5 gallons is a tiny,tiny tank.
2007-12-06 01:28:14 · answer #10 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 4⤊ 4⤋