MUST READ! General Betta Care and FAQ (V. 3.0)

[manami]

I believe the temperature is at 82* right now. The reason I bought the marina betta 8w is because I can't buy the Hydor one everyone is recomending to get online.

And since his tank is in my room and I always turn the A/C on at night I always noticed that the temperature dropped at 70*. That's why I bought the marina 8w heater...

If it heats too hot then I'll just have to turn it off in the moring while I go to work.

[ANHEL123]

Too much flactuation is not good. Or it should be gradual. I take all heater out of my tanks in the summer. My room temp can fluctuate 74 in the morning and 80* sometimes even 82. So it kind of gradual and my bettas are fine. So i would think if you turn heater in his tank of then it fine because the temp will lower gradually. But i would think eventually you need heater especially in the winter to keep temp stable.

Or if his behavior normal and he is active and eating you can leave him in 82 and just do more water changes. I like to do more water changes with warmer temp. I learned the warmer is the water the more chance of the infections. So if you can do 50% -2times and 1-100% a week?
Make sure food doesn't sink to the bottom and contaminate water.

[manami]

he sometimes stay on to the bottom but if I move my fingers up he quickly swim up and he eats without a problem.

He also likes to flare at the background photo of a lionfish cartoon.

he opens and close his mouths slowly...but repeatly...is that normal? o_o

[manami]

starting tomorrow I can turn off the heater in the morning and when I come back home from work I'll turn it on again and see how he reacts.

oops. I meant to add my next message from above. sorry.

[ANHEL123]

I would say it too much fluctuation. Usually if you change the temperature it should be about a degree or two -1 hr. If your temp during the day will be 70* and then you come home and turn heater on -82*. I think it too fast. No i would not do it. 12* kind too much. It should be really gradual. Like my room in the morning 74* and during the day 82* But it very gradual temp change though.
What is your temp during the day without a/c?

You wrote he opens and close his mouths slowly...but repeatedly. How often he does it? Is it constantly? Is it looks like he is gasping for air? Does he stay on the bottom all the time or just sometimes ?
Usually betta is pretty active. At least my bettas they swim all day long but sometimes they rest on the bottom or on the plant during the day or if i turn the light off.

Not sure how long you have him but always add enough water conditioner. It always better to put maybe a little bit more then not enough.

[ANHEL123]

just read another post. 84 if he is ok will be fine just keep his water super clean.
Also those are links for adjustable heaters that other people recommended if you ever need it
are you in the U.S.? If so here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-THEO-Sub...rds=hydor+theo
__________________
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydor-THEO-A...ht_2065wt_1111 __________________
This was the one I bought, check craigslist. That site usually has very cheap stuff, good quality if not used.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydor-THEO-A...#ht_2196wt_822 __________________http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Submersi...=IG0V95N67CXGS

This one or the 25 watt one will work as well. __________________
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=112256


are you in the U.S.? If so here:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydor-THEO-Sub...rds=hydor+theo
__________________
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydor-THEO-A...ht_2065wt_1111 __________________
This was the one I bought, check craigslist. That site usually has very cheap stuff, good quality if not used.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hydor-THEO-A...#ht_2196wt_822 __________________http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Submersi...=IG0V95N67CXGS

This one or the 25 watt one will work as well. __________________
http://www.bettafish.com/showthread.php?t=112256

[RedRaz]

This post was very informative! Thanks you! I'm on my way to the pet store to pick up a heater. My poor guy is staying at the the bottom of the tank. :(

[BETTACHKALOVE]

It can be many reasons why he staying at the bottom of the tank.
How long you have him?
How big is his tank and how much and how often you do water changes.? Did you add water conditioner in his water?
Did you acclimate him?
Any other visual symptoms on the body? Did you just bought him? What is the temperature? Even if the temperature is low like 70-72* it will not make fish lethargic.
Give us more update.

[RedRaz]

Hello BETTACHKALOVE. I'm Sorry I have already posted about this in the disease emergency section today. Here is the link. Raz my Betta

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

[furubafan3]

Is it worth it to get a filter for a five gallon? I've only had smaller tanks and for this new 5 gallon tank, I'm realizing it's very difficult for me to clean it since it's just so large and heavy. How often do I have to change the water with a filter?