Plastic Tank Ok Or Is Glass Better And Heaters

[napthalene]

hey guys,

i just got a 2.5 gal plastic tank for my fish (i hate going into pet stores because these salespeople don't know what they're talking about most of the time) and wondering whether there is a preference between plastic or glass tanks for bettas.

and how do heaters work? just stick the heater into the water of the tank and plug it in? do we have to worry about the fish getting too close to it? and where can i find cheap supplies, my pet store seems to jack up the price a lot.

 

[soritan]

I think my betta would be happy in a water proof shoe, provided I took good care of him while he stayed there. Glass or plastic is a personal call. Plastic is stronger, but scratches very easy. Glass is cheaper, but weaker. In the end, I'd focus a lot more on size than materials, personally.

As far as heaters go, it depends on the type of heater. They're all generally simple, though, as a waterproof heater needs to be constructed simply and with great strength. The hardest thing about installing my heaters were putting those awful suction cups on them, I couldn't get them to fit, no matter how I wiggled. XD Then just adjust the dial, and away you go. If you buy a heater new, it comes with directions, naturally.

Cheap supplies are generally found online. Aquabid, petco, petsmart, www.thatpetplace.com , and etc. If you live somewhere there are large 'box' shops (like Walmart and Petco), they're usually cheaper than mom&pop stores... just be extremely, paranoia-like wary of buying actual fish from them.

 

[flautist]

I have a 3 gallon, a 2.5 gallon, and two 2 gallons with boys in them. They all are plastic, unfiltered, and unheated. I have a 10 gallon tank that is soon going to have 5 females that is glass, heated, and filtered. As long as the room is warm and you keep up with water changes, you should be fine.

How is that little guy? Is he happier in his bigger tank? Is he eating and swimming yet?