Few questions?

[brown metal-head]

Right now I am acclimating Pedro to my tap water. conditioned of course. Im using the drip method. I guess it should be another 30 minutes or so. Anyway, Right now the 1.5 gallon hex is using a ugf that is turned on real low so the surface is only agitated by 1 bubble at a time its not very fast at all. I put in a little castle in and I put the plant that the betta came with at the top. Anything wrong so far?

Should the betta go topless? I have had problems with jumping but they didn't have the plant that would "keep them in". The tank came with a top but I am not willing to cut it at this point in time.

were could I find a heater for this tank. I have a 50 watt heater but I am afraid that would be overkill. And I have had problems with it in the 10 gallon so I doubt I would use it again but would it hurt to try it anyway? We run the house at 74 which in my opinion is too cold for me not sure for fish though. It should be 74 because I keep my goldfish at room temp and her tank is 74 and its right next to Pedro's tank. I feel its a little too cold for Pedro but I thought I would ask.

It was not hard to convince my family members that got me the Pedro to get him out of the little bowl either. Although I think my mom would have like to have seen him in there for a bit longer but test results forced me to move him and my sis thought it should be done as well.

 

[FishEnthusiast]

Take the plant out and put it back in the vase. Pedro needs the surface area to breath, the roots of the plant will frustrate him as it will be difficult for him to get air. Then use the lid that came with the tank. Bettas are notorious jumpers, so they need to be covered.

He could use a heater, 74 is a little low. They can survive at that temp, but thrive at around 78. I go heaterless right now, but come winter I am going to add one. They stay at 78 all the time. There is a small heater called a hydor mini. It is submersible and will heat the water to a little warmer than room temperature. The only downside is it is on all the time.

Thanks for getting him out of that vase, I am sure he appreciates it a lot.

 

[SPLiSH]

Should the betta go topless?

LOL, that scared me a bit before I read the next bit of the question.

Congrats on the new betta! I'm sure Pedro will be a great companion. Your tank setup sounds very good, except for two things:

-This plant, is it soft? Sometimes the betta can rip their fins on sharp plastic ones. And make sure it's not going to stop him getting to the surface for air.

-And.... a lid. You'd be surprised what bettas can jump or wriggle out of. If you don't want to wreck the lid that came with the tank you could use photocopy paper (the seethrough stuff) and cut it to size, punch a few holes and blu-tac it on.

About the heater.... yep, 50 degrees sounds a bit strong. I have a 25 watt AqauOne in my male betta's tank (which happens to be 1.5 gallons too so it's a good example) and it does a great job. I wouldn't use your old one if it is playing up or you could come home to boiled betta.