New owner, may have screwed up

[MikeyG]

I just got home with a betta, picked the ugliest little guy (looks like a girl tho...) the same way Charlie Brown picked out a christmas tree.

Anyhow, I have been reading about tanks and heaters and think I may have screwed up. I thought i was being smart by passing up all the little "betta boxes" and getting one of these:

http://www.petco.com/product/102093/...arium-Kit.aspx

I haven't put him(?) in yet...doing the 24 hour wait thing after adding the Tetra Bettasafe drops. Is it important enough for me to pitch the thing and get a bigger tank, or do you think this will do.

I have also read a lot on here about heaters...I am going to go tonight to get a thermometer, but would that little hydor mini heater make such a lil tank too hot? (fyi, live in San Antonio TX, room temp is usually around 75)

Thanks for your patience in advance!

[sumsum]

I think 75 degrees should be warm enough. If I were you I would return the 1.5 gall tank and buy a 2.5+ gallon tank.

[sumsum]

What exactly is a Tetra Bettasfe drop?

[SaylorKennedy]

It will do as long as you keep on top of your weekly water changes. If the heater gets too hot, you can always unplug it.

[SaylorKennedy]

But yes if you can, get the biggest tank you can afford/have room for. Your new betta will be happiest in it!

[MikeyG]

It's supposed to make the tap water safe.

[AngelicScars]

Yeah, if you are able, I would go ahead and return it for a 2.5 gallon if you could.
At least then, a mini heater would be safe to use in the colder months. A good temp for them is a steady 78-80 degrees F.

[MikeyG]

Thanks for all the feedback!

[Jynx]

yeah this tank is still a bit small- but is much better than those tiny little betta boxes i think. if you want to keep it around for a backup or sick tank that would be good. if your fish ever gets sick the medicine may be more effective in this little tank.

[Romad]

Hey Mikey G,

I just got two of those same tanks and I have Cascade submersible heaters in both. I didn't go with the Hydro because you can't set the temperature and from what I understand, it only heats the water a few degrees above room temp (which will not work here in the Northeast once winter sets in),

I have the heaters set at 80 deg. F and they have been perfect for two weeks now.