Would A Vivarium Heatmat Be Ok?

[catherine896]

I want to buy one of those plastic tanks thats suitable for fish and rodents for a single male betta. But would a vivarium heatmat be OK?
Ive found one second hand for £5 which is 11 inches by 11 inches so would cover the entire bottom of the tank (not inside obviously) or would cover half if I bought 2 of the plastic tanks. Would this heat the water enough for a betta? Does anyone use these for fish tank heating?
Please reply ASAP so if it would work I can buy it before someone else does!
Thanks!

 

[Arimus]

It might but you will need to get a thermostat with it - they can get very hot.

I'm not sure though what the effect would be on the tank you are planning to put on it - if it is glass it might be okay but then again it might be too thick to allow much heat through or could heat up too much so a fish comming into contact with the glass would get burnt.

I use them for our snakes but personally wouldn't use one for fish.

A cheep aquarium heater designed to heat water and with a built in thermostat would be a better option in my opinion.

[Edit]
Just read your post again - I would be careful with a plastic tank - prolonged heating of plastic can make it brittle - while with a snake its not too much of a problem with water in the tank it could be more of a problem.

[Edit]
http/www.urmstonaquatics.com/heatersthermomet.html has a 50W heater with thermostat for £12 - not sure if it is too big for your proposed tank...

 

[catherine896]

Hello, looked at the link. Those heaters sound good and are cheap! I dont know if it would be too tall to fit the plastic tank Im considering but it says can be used under gravel aswell and Im sure it would fit length ways. Ill keep them in mind!
Thanks!

 

[zoekin8yg]

youd want a 25 watt heater not a 50 for a small plastic tank you just put them diagonally and get a short one.

Visitherm Heater 25 W http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue...ting-cables.asp is the one i have

 

[catherine896]

Hello, thanks for that link. Those heaters look good too! Ive saved the link in my favourites!
Thankyou

 

[barnesj2]

Hello, thanks for that link. Those heaters look good too! Ive saved the link in my favourites!
Thankyou

i have that heater it is very good but the heat is always mote than what it says on the thermostat my tank is the right size for it and it still heats it up 2 much lol just keep the down at the lowest for bettas

 

[Betta5]

My male is dead now, but when i had him i used the heat mat and it kept the water at about 78-80 oF all the time. It was one of those blue ones with the lid (4.5 US gallons).

 

[zoekin8yg]

Hello, thanks for that link. Those heaters look good too! Ive saved the link in my favourites!
Thankyou

i have that heater it is very good but the heat is always mote than what it says on the thermostat my tank is the right size for it and it still heats it up 2 much lol just keep the down at the lowest for bettas

Why would you keep it lowest for bettas? They like it hot between 26 and 28. Nearly all heaters you need to use lower than the settings say

 

[ali12345]

Hi ,
I'm not sure about plastic tanks but I have used a heat mat on my 6ft glass tank for many years but obviously with a thermostat. Works very well and is particularly good for catfish who might burn themselves or knock a heater. Sounds as though in your situation a heaterstat would be best.
Alison