overheating?

[Blue Eternity]

i was wondering if it was possible to overheat a tank. i put my heater in the tank, and it was about 90+ degrees. I have a 3 gallon plastic tank. this is the heater.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10291808

i took it out, let it cool and the temp now reads a constant 78. should i put it back in? im worried about my new boy being cold, but i dont want a boiled fish either!

what should i do?

[neenjar]

78 is ideal temp, 90+ is way to hot. 85 is about all they can safely tolerate and should only be used for treating diseases where heat is beneficial in treatment. otherwise 76-80 is a perfect range for a betta and stable at what ever temp in that range you keep.

My tanks stay at 78.

can you dial that heater down much?

[ThePearlFish]

I had to turn off my heater when it started getting hot out, cus since my tanks are in my room (which is the hottest room in the house in the summer anyhow) it kept going up to 90 degrees and I was afraid of frying my fish and frogs. now even WITHOUT the heater it was 81.5 when I checked this am. I am probably going to plug back in the heater when it starts getting cooler.

~TPF

[neenjar]

81.5 is ok, 90+ will make betta soup :(

[Blue Eternity]

i took out my fishie as soon as i knew it was too hot, and put him in another container w/ cool water until his tanked cooled down all the way.

the heater is supposed to keep it aroun 76-78 degrees automatically (it starts up and shuts off on its own) so i can't dial it up or down at all.

i'll just keep an eye on it and put the heater in if it gets cold.

thanks everyone! :]