Hydor Mini Heater 7.5W

[CataclysmKitten]

I recently purchased this heater for my betta fish, and my fish seems very irritable in the water. I checked the temperature, and it's not too hot, my thermometer I bought isn't seeming to work (it's the kind you stick on the outside of it) and i'm just worried that i'm frying him, even though it's just warm. He's swimming around flared and I haven't seen him take a break yet.
I don't want to take out the heater because he needs the heat, should I just let him get adjusted? Or What?
It's already been a good 15+ hours he's been in there. What's going on?

[BerkB33]

In my experience the "stick-on" thermometers have not been very accurate. Make sure you know the temp. of the water...especially when implementing a new heater!!! The $2 or $3 bucks is well worth it.

If he's been in this tank, and has had consistent water quality, it's a decent bet that the new heater could be messin' with him. Too hot? Too cold? Get a "good" water temp. reading and you can make an "educated" decision.

[CataclysmKitten]

i'll get a new thermometer today. Thanks for the advice. Also, he's in a 2.5 gal.
I don't know if that affects anything.

[BerkB33]

I believe your heater is sized correctly...it would help you a great deal to have the "good" temp. reading so you know how it's performing. Good Luck!

[CataclysmKitten]

Thank you!

[Starbright]

I have a 2.5 gallon with the 7.5 watt hydor! It keeps the tank below 80F for me, and low 70s in the winter so I have to use a 10 watt... anyways, if anything, I've had problems with it not being warm enough! It's probably just your fish freaking out at the water temperature change :)

[CataclysmKitten]

thanks. the tank is at 80 degrees and my fish and ADF are now happy as could be. Although last night it went up to 82 and that kinda freaked me out a bit, but they seemed fine.

[Hadouken441]

Heres a cool tip. If you dont want to bury that ugly heater in the gravel, you can just throw it in the filter! Heats up water exactly the same and no more lookin at it haha