do bettas need heaters

[rosierabbit]

i think bettas are absolutely gorgeous (i know u'll all agree), but i cant keep one in my comunity tank cos either it'll get my fish, or mine will get it!! would it be ok in your average 'cheap' tank with no heater (and possibly no filter?)

 

[Alien Anna]

Bettas can cope with cooler temperature than most tropical fish and IMHO those low wattage heaters are outrageously expensive! (I just paid 14 quid for one for my hospital tank). So in principal they can live in an unheated tank provided the room is warm.

They don't need a filter, but if you could get one of those air-pump driven sponge filters we've been discussing, that would help. However, even if you don't have a filter you can cycle the tank or bowl just the same - the bacteria can live in the gravel. This would work even better if you had a little air-pump with an air-stone or a sponge filter running (the bacteria need oxygen to thrive). I usually pick small pumps up from Ebay for about 5 pounds but I've seen some low-powered new ones for the same, so we're not talking a lot of money (and you can get a several-way gang for the pump and run a batch of betta tanks off the one! ).

Also get a thermometer to keep an eye on your fish's temperature.

 

[infant340]

i have 2 bettas both males. i keep each oh them in there own little betta hex with no heater or filter. my sisters female betta live for 2 years but got ick and died.

 

[rosierabbit]

i think i would get a small sponge filter, or something, to be honest!!

how many gallons do they need tho? it would probly be 5 gal..... (one of those cheapish goldfish tanks)

 

[Alien Anna]

i think i would get a small sponge filter, or something, to be honest!!

how many gallons do they need tho? it would probly be 5 gal..... (one of those cheapish goldfish tanks)

A betta's fine in a 1 gal bowl, but ideally I think it's nice for them to have about 5 gals (that's US gals - 20 litres).

You need a plant (probably a plastic one if you haven't got extra light, although elodea does OK provided the lid is clear plastic). You'll need some sort of cave for him to hide in, or a bit of bogwood (have a look for little bits of mopani wood).

Another useful piece of equipment is one of those siphon gravel cleaners for small tanks - I bought my sister one the other day. It's like a miniture version of the ones everyone uses for big tanks and is great for water changes.

 

[rosierabbit]

thanks alien anna (an everyone else), u've been really helpful now i'll just have to save up to get one!!

just one moe question, does anyone here actually keep their betta (or kept their betta in the past) w/o a heater?? not that i doubt the advice u lot have given me - i just wondered

 

[Kossy]

but i cant keep one in my comunity tank cos either it'll get my fish, or mine will get it!!

WHat fish do you have?

Also don't forget that bettas are sold in jars and they don't have no heater or filter there. HOwever they are from Thailand (tropical) therefore they would prefer a heater.

 

[rosierabbit]

read the thingy at the end of my message

Edit: i just remembered, its called my signature (i think )

 

[Scarab]

I don't have a heater with mine....can't with 1/2 gallon cause it would boil my little dudes. They're at room temperature...and in this case, where I keep them, it's normally 78-80 degrees (sometimes down to 75-76 at night) which is great for them.

 

[Alien Anna]

I don't have a heater with mine....can't with 1/2 gallon cause it would boil my little dudes. They're at room temperature...and in this case, where I keep them, it's normally 78-80 degrees (sometimes down to 75-76 at night) which is great for them.

You can get thermostat heaters for fish bowls and small tanks - since they have a thermostat on them they wouldn't boil your fish (the thermostat would cause the heater to cut out as soon as it reached optimal temperature). However, as you've got a lot less latitude with such a small tank, you really should buy brand new as older thermostat-heaters may be faulty.

 

[Scarab]

thanks for the info

but as you can see, in my case, it's not necessary...the temperature is great for them

 

[aernympha]

i dont se how i could keep a betta alive with out a heater in the winter!!!!!!! surly i would become weaker and at a higher rishk of diease...

 

[MattL]

I agree bettas are gorgeous

 

[Inchworm]

i have 2 bettas both males. i keep each oh them in there own little betta hex with no heater or filter. my sisters female betta live for 2 years but got ick and died.

I think that while a temperature within the proper range is important, another thing to take into consideration is the stability of the temperature. The smaller the amount of water it is in, the faster it will heat up and cool down.

As a result the fish will weaken and be more prone to disease.

 

[aernympha]

as i thought!