I'm a newbie here.

[chippy]

I just bought a betta fish, tank, gravel, etc. yesterday. I bought a 1 gallon tank and put in water and conditioning stuff. The problem is that I keep my house very cool to save money and the water is not able to get to the proper temperature (it's around 64). (I was told that I would not need a heater for such a small tank). So my questions are:

How long will the betta live in the little container I bought him in (from Wal-mart)?

Can I put the tank near the space heater that I use in my bedroom? Will that be sufficient to warm the water?

I was contemplating taking him to my office to live, but even there the temperature varies (it IS warmer though). Will he survive another car trip?

Thanks for the help in advance.

**After reading all the posts today, I wish I had of waited on buying him until everything was set up. But of course the sales people said, "it's no problem" LOL.

[dramaqueen]

Hello and welcome to FishForum. I think the non adjustable mini heaters will work in a gallon but I'm not sure. I think they heat the water to around 76. 64 degrees is way too cold.

[Chicklet]

You can buy a small submersible heater from walmart,
(Tetra 50w preset heater, fully submersible)
I have several of those, They are suppose to maintain a constant temp of 78,

I have use those in half gallon tanks too, you can tip them sideways if needed,

[chippy]

chicklet,

the smallest one I saw at wal-mart was for 2-15 gallon tanks. Will that overheat my 1-gallon tank?

thanks

[Chicklet]

I don't have the box anymore that these came into, and I keep forgetting to check the details when I am at walmart, there is two of them, one is longer then the other, does a bigger size tank.
Part of me says thats the right one and another thinks its the size bigger,,

The length to the one I have used is 5 and 1 quarter inches long,

I might be going to walmart today, I'll try to remember, and write down the details.

The more I think about it, I do think that's the correct one,

[chippy]

Ok, any help would be appreciated.

I think I will buy the one from wal-mart and just keep a close eye on it. I do have a thermometer, so if it is overheating I will know. Plus wal-mart is great about returning pretty much anything so no real loss. I just have to get him out of that little cup thingee!

[Chicklet]

Do make sure you keep them covered in water, Unplug on a water change,
I screwed up on that one time and payed for it by having it cook an entire 5 gallon Tank in a matter of hours, My own stupid fault there.

They are suppose to be set to maintain 78 degrees but I find they rarely ever do that, But I suppose perhaps the local will influence this,

Most I found stayed at 76, one even at 74 and mind you these where in small tanks, 1 gallons and 1 half gallons,..

[chippy]

I can't wait to get home to him. Maybe I can sneak out of work early hehe :)

[Chicklet]

That is the right one,
They have two sizes 2-15 gallon & 10 -30 gallon.

2-15 gallon is the right one to use

[chippy]

I bought the heater and it seems to have stalled out at 74. :( I'm sure it's still better than nothing, so he will have to be content for a few days.