Do bettas need heaters?

[cutechic]

I want to keep a betta in a one gallon w/ a UG filter. The temperature in the room is 73 degrees. I know bettas should be kept in a higher temperature, but could a betta adapt to this this temperature?

 

[Kossy]

If the temp is around 25 deg C its fine

 

[shrks1fan]

He could adapt to 73 degrees, but he might not be very active and would be much happier at 78 to 80.

Linda

 

[cutechic]

Ok, I guess I'll invest in a 25 watt heater. That won't be too powerful, will it? I've looked at 15 W heaters, but the ones around here are twice as much as a 25 watt one!

I just thought: the light on the tank heats the water about 4 degrees. This is a pretty big change in temp, is it not? Maybe I should keep the light off all the time, the tank does get quite a bit of indirect sunlight I don't want my betta to freeze overnight

 

[DizBjOhN104]

nope bettas doesn't need heaters unless if the water is 65 below

usually u use heaters for breeding bettas. the temp should be around 70-85 degrees

 

[shrks1fan]

I have to dissagree Diz, although Bettas will "survive" at 70-73 degrees, they much prefer it to be warmer (they are tropical fish). Bettas kept at the lower temp range will be less active and more prone to sickness.

Linda

 

[cutechic]

But can I just use the light as a "heater"- or will it be too stressful for the fish to have the temperature rise 4 degrees when the light is turned on and drop 4 degrees when it is turned off?

 

[shrks1fan]

Temperature fluctuations like that on a regular basis would not be good for the fish, it stresses them out and often can make them sick. As to which would be worse, the lower temp or the fluctuating temp, that I couldn't say, probably the fluctuating temp. Mabey some others can jump in with some thoughts?

Linda

 

[cutechic]

Ok, I'll just keep looking for a heater with lower voltage.

 

[Aqua_Princess64]

My betta has a heater in his tank, but it doesn't work very well and the water is at a constant temp. of 75 degrees in the winter. If the light heats up the tank, and then at night when you turn the light off you cover the tank with a blanket then the heat won't escape. You have to be careful not to let it get too high though.

 

[cutechic]

If the light heats up the tank, and then at night when you turn the light off you cover the tank with a blanket then the heat won't escape.

I didn't know that. It would sure save me a lot of money if I don't have to buy another heater!

 

[Aqua_Princess64]

If the light heats up the tank, and then at night when you turn the light off you cover the tank with a blanket then the heat won't escape.

I didn't know that. It would sure save me a lot of money if I don't have to buy another heater!

It works for me.

 

[freshmike]

I don't have heaters for any of my bettas....they all seem fine....probably not ideal, but they seem pretty happy to me

 

[cutechic]

Great Thx for all the advice!