quick heater questions

[angelfish11788]

the betta bug hit me. so till i get descent setups. i am just wondering for a 2 gallon critter keeper, will one of those black pad type heater that are topfin brand work? i have a petsmart giftcard but wanna get out cheap till i can get what i want else where. also friend got him his first betta. So he has a 5 gallon and a topfin 50, they say submersible, the clerk said they are not fully submerisble, it there a differance??

[shellieca]

I use a pad type heater for a 1g when I have it set up for a QT tank BUT, they are not good if your room temp is really cool. Read the packaging on ANY submersible heater, I have seen several say submersible but are not 100% submersible so just read the packaging very carefully.

[babystarz]

I would spend the extra $ for an adjustable heater, it will cause you less trouble in the long run. The pads are just a waste of money. You can easily find one on eBay for under $15 including shipping for a 50w adjustable shatterproof glass heater. Don't forget to also get a thermometer too. You can then use the same heater once you get a bigger tank set up too. The fish should be okay at room temp until the heater arrives.

[angelfish11788]

Originally Posted by babystarz

I would spend the extra $ for an adjustable heater, it will cause you less trouble in the long run. The pads are just a waste of money. You can easily find one on eBay for under $15 including shipping for a 50w adjustable shatterproof glass heater. Don't forget to also get a thermometer too. You can then use the same heater once you get a bigger tank set up too. The fish should be okay at room temp until the heater arrives.

wow i feel dumb.. should of re-worded my OP, i already have pad type heater, picked up a free 125g and they gave me all of there betta stuff, like 6 triangle type 1 gallon plastic tanks and lord knows how many heater like the above mention. I wanted to get out cheap by waiting to use it till i had time to use my petsmart giftcard on real setup. not a fan of giftcards btw.. lol I have tested all the mat heaters and they work, i assume they dont cut off. sorry a big paragraph to post on my ignorance. I was mainly asking if it would bust the plastic or melt it on the critter keeper till I had a chance to run over smart.

worred about the topfin and there fluval heaters as the pic on the back shows the temp setting knob out of water. I want it fully submersible. guess i will go with aquaeon, are they good. It is the only other brand they have.

[finnfinnfriend]

I used to have a topfin 50 watt in my 5 gallon and I had it completely submerged horizontally near the bottom and it was fine...

[angelfish11788]

I will tell him, thing is long for a 50 W

[shellieca]

My heater pad was used in an acrylic tank with no problems. For something temporary they're fine.

[angelfish11788]

thanks