Can I use Imagitarium thermal calcium sand as a substrate in my betta tank? Don't shoot me, its just a question. I ask because I am thinking of using an under tank heater and the sand would help to transfer the heat. My office gets down to 49 degrees sometimes and I don't want to risk my fishy. Thanks in advance.
llittlebllonde
No, you can't. I'm pretty sure calcium in the sand will affect pH. You'll need aquarium sand/gravel. If possible, I would recommend to get an adjustable submergible heater. I've had aquarium heating pads and found out that they were not reliable.
Thank You Rainbo and RyRy2012 For responding the to the question I asked. Your responses make perfect sense, I knew it would alter things, I just wasn't sure what, and wondered if anyone had ever tried it. I am tempted to try in an empty tank just out of curiosity.
Rainbo I currently have a submersible heater but it's ugly and takes away from the beauty of my tank. I enjoy trying new things, like many of you. Obviously I will take your experience into consideration and will not do this with my fish in the tank.
My fishy is just fine. I have established a biological filter and my numbers are good when I test the water before changes. I have a submersible heater, places for him to rest, an air stone, and live plants. He eats live fruit flies 4 times a day and freeze dried blood worms so he doesn't get spoiled and refuse anything but flies.
Rainbo I currently have a submersible heater but it's ugly and takes away from the beauty of my tank. I enjoy trying new things, like many of you. Obviously I will take your experience into consideration and will not do this with my fish in the tank.
My fishy is just fine. I have established a biological filter and my numbers are good when I test the water before changes. I have a submersible heater, places for him to rest, an air stone, and live plants. He eats live fruit flies 4 times a day and freeze dried blood worms so he doesn't get spoiled and refuse anything but flies.
Please keep the thread on topic.
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"7. Keep threads on topic.
Please keep the original poster's purpose for starting a thread in mind when posting in it. While it is natural for the topic of conversation to stray somewhat as threads evolve, please do not make posts that effectively steer a thread in a new and unrelated direction. Instead, please feel free to start a new thread where you can discuss the different topic. Creating new threads, or posts within existing threads, that are blatantly off-topic or serve no legitimate purpose ("Spam") is prohibited and will be deleted."
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I would stay clear of thermal calcium sand just because of how it can affect the ph over a period of time as well as causing more of those hard water deposits on the sides of the glass. I use those large mats used for starting seedlings that have a thermometer you can set your desired temperature to (up to about 106 degrees).
TLR = Get a thermometer controlled heating mat over the ones without them for more stable temperatures, Temp controlled mats will keep heating regardless of substrate until temperature probe hits desired temp).
Be cautious about the heating mats without temperature controls, the non temperature control ones can raise your temperature anywhere between 5-20 degrees from what your ambient temperature is, which could be cause a huge fluctuation if your ambient temperature constantly changes throughout the day. (I.E. if its 49 degrees (ambient temp) it will heat it up to 60(the tank), and if it gets a lot warmer during the day like 60(ambient) it could heat up the temp to like 80 (temp of tank) This is bad because constant changes in temperature will stress out the fish. However if you have a temperature controlled mat, you can set it to maintain the tank temperature at a constant 75 (the tank) with the temperature probe, and it will keep the heater on or off to help maintain the desired temperature.
TL
R = Get a thermometer controlled heating mat over the ones without them for more stable temperatures, Temp controlled mats will keep heating regardless of substrate until temperature probe hits desired temp).Be cautious about the heating mats without temperature controls, the non temperature control ones can raise your temperature anywhere between 5-20 degrees from what your ambient temperature is, which could be cause a huge fluctuation if your ambient temperature constantly changes throughout the day. (I.E. if its 49 degrees (ambient temp) it will heat it up to 60(the tank), and if it gets a lot warmer during the day like 60(ambient) it could heat up the temp to like 80 (temp of tank) This is bad because constant changes in temperature will stress out the fish. However if you have a temperature controlled mat, you can set it to maintain the tank temperature at a constant 75 (the tank) with the temperature probe, and it will keep the heater on or off to help maintain the desired temperature.
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