water temperature

[studioskim3]

So I have two betta males, obviously in different tanks... but the problem is... I need to keep the water warm... my apt gets REALLY cold... around 60 degrees. I measured the water temp of my bettas it is around 65... obviously NOT healthy for my bettas... but what can I do keep them warm? I have no money... didn't realize bettas need such a complex facility, i thought a lil salt, dechlorinated water, food, and the blue liquid thing to help keep them alive.

So, my question is.... HOW do i keep their water warm, with no water heater? i thought about heating water, and then dechlorinating it and then add a lil salt, and once it cooled off enough, i would float my bettas in the water.... but obviously... it doesn't seem rational.

It would be SO much easier if bettas could live in a tank together and then I would buy a big enough tank fully loaded... but since i have two, stupid me, I can not buy 2 of everything.

What should i do?

[rhv430]

I would keep the heat turned up in your apartment. If you keep the air temperature warmer, the water in your tanks will become warmer.

[studioskim3]

i would, except my roommates complain that its gonna raise our gas bill :( oh the life of a college student!

[Aquatic_Fan]

Originally Posted by studioskim3

i would, except my roommates complain that its gonna raise our gas bill :( oh the life of a college student!

What are you keeping the bettas in now......i would recommend buying the smallest heater for a fish tank there is and it will not only be easy but make a huge difference in water temps and you wouldnt have to keep up it warm water changes.

hey besides christmas is commin up.....ask for one lol

[miagrrl]

i have trouble keeping my little betta tank tempreature stable sometimes too. but yeah, keeping the temp in the air warmer will raise the temp. the good news is, you wouldn't have to raise the temp too high in your apartment, it they are small tanks, the temp will begin to change quickly, (smaller body of water will change fast). would your room mate let you keep the temp to at least 70-75? thats better than 60! keeping the tanks away from windows will also help cut the cold.

[studioskim3]

what I try to do is soak a towel in hot water, and keep that over the tanks... it actually helps raise the water.... but only temporarily... and cuz the room that I keep them is in the living is cold, I try cookin w/ the oven alot, so at least the heat from the oven will warm the air a lil... but I think I'm gonna bring in my room, which is really small.... do u think a blanket around the tank would work? I have 2 small 1 gallon tank for each of my betta... i would LOVE to have a heater, except the minimum tank size u need for one is 3 gallon... oh.... this is tougher than i thought...

Thank you to all those who are reading this and providing feedback... it really helps!!

[SST]

I don't know what type of heat you have, but you could put them on top of the heater. Or below the heat vent (oh wait, that's blowing cold air). Definitely move them to the warmest part of your apartment for the winter.

I hate being that cold, so I'd be fighting with the roomies to turn up the heat for me!

[verbosity]

$10 http://www.petsolutions.com/Mini-Aqu...319+C1021.aspx

[studioskim3]

thank you everyone, for helpin me w/ this problem... that $10 heater seems to be a great idea... sigh... y did i get TWO bettas.... now i have to buy TWO of everything... a new tank and a new heater... plus filter... i wish they have grants and fundings for all this, HAHA