[sallylamonde]

Hello, I am new to this forum and I will probably be asking a lot of questions. I am thirteen and I have been taking care of bettas for just over two years (like, 4 days over 2 years).

I have taken care of four bettas in total, with two bettas from Dec. 2, 2011 to April 9, 2012 (the male died earlier but I didn't write down the date), one female from April 9, 2012 to July 2, 2013, and just got my new blue Crowntail male betta named Rebel yesterday. It is already in my 3 gallon tank but is a bit shy.

Anyways, the problem at hand is that I *think* I need a heater. I have approached my mother with the idea but she just went "haha yeah right! Bettas are hardy fish and plus we live in Miami so nothing will happen to it anyway hahahaha"

I just really need to know the temperature of my tank, just to make sure that I can at least add some warm water if the temperature drops below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. I would really like one of those thermometers that suction onto the inside of the tank. But my mom won't even let me have THAT, and I know that they cost teeny weeny and I've tried telling her but she still refuses to even think about it.

Can anyone please tell me what I should do? If you think I don't need a heater since I live in Miami (its still gets decently cold during "winter" though) please tell me what to do instead. I really need a thermometer though, so can someone please tell me how to persuade my mom to buy this for me?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jaysee]

None of my tanks are heated. The ambient air temp doesn't fall below 72-73. Where you live isn't all that important - question is what's the temp inside. If the room the fish is in stays warm enough, then no you don't need a heater.

Regarding the thermometer - $2 shouldn't be hard for you to come up with. Go rake a neighbors yard.

And of course it is the holiday season - would make a nice stocking stuffer, tell her.

It is good to be able to control the temp though. Since I am the one that controls the thermostats, I can get away with keeping it warmer and not hearing the tanks. It would be good for you to get a heater, so again... Either ask for it as a present or rake leaves/shovel snow/wash a car/etc.

 

[Aryia]

A heater would always be optimal, but as long as the water doesn't get too cold (like Jaysee said 72 degF) the Betta will be fine.

Be careful about adding warm/cold water by the way. The most important thing about water temperature is that it is stable. Stable 72 degF is better than a sudden jump from 72 to 78. Large temperature fluctuations will stress your Betta out and stressed fish are very likely to get sick. Depending on what size your tank is, it might be pretty tedious to raise the temperature like that continuously (aka what are you going to do at night when its the coldest?) and also not cause fluctuations.

You could always try making a deal with your mom. Take on extra chores to work for the heater/thermometer. Or ask her to buy it for you if you do well on the next test or something. That's what I used to do to get things I really wanted : ) (or rake a neighbor's yard)

 

[Kiara1125]

I like in central Florida and I don't use heaters. My betta tanks stay anywhere from 78F to 86F, but it ranges from tank to tank. I wouldn't worry about a heater until winter time when it does get a bit chilly, but then it can stay in storage the rest of the time. Plus, it does depend. My step mother had a betta in a 1g pitcher for 8 years without a heater. Yes, this betta lived for *8* years without a heater and a water change once a month. We lived in Indiana then and it got below 0F in the winter most of the time. He was fine. Bettas are hardy, but it's best to be cautious. You could always wait to get a heater and then decide if you need one when the time comes. 70F is the lowest I would let my bettas be.

 

[sallylamonde]

Thanks to everyone for their replies! I would totally have already bought everything (I have quite the stash in my piggy bank) IF I were allowed to spend any of my hard earned money. My mom and dad and grandfather and grandmother don't let me use any of my money while my little brother can go spend his yearly $100 as often as he likes. Oh well.

I guess I could ask for them as a Christmas present though.

 

[AkidaFish]

I'd like to see these parents who don't even let you spend money and slap them with their own billfold.

 

[Hallyx]

It really sucks when you know more about stuff than the adults (?) around you. Would printing out and showing them threads or posts about heaters and, especially, thermometers help any?

Just below these threads are "similar threads" which might help you convince them.

Good luck, Tiffany. Welcome to the forum.

 

[sallylamonde]

Thank you to everyone! I also do not quite understand why I can't spend my money, but well that's off-topic. Thank you Hallyx for welcoming me, I saw you visited my profile ^^ I will ask for the two things on Christmas.

 

[dramaqueen]

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/anabantid-species/siamese-fighting-fish-betta-splendens-177466/ Note the water temperature requirement in the water parameters section of the profile.

 

[Kiara1125]

http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/anabantid-species/siamese-fighting-fish-betta-splendens-177466/ Note the water temperature requirement in the water parameters section of the profile.

Yes, but each fish varies and may become more adaptable to other water parameters. ;-)

 

[snowflake311]

When I was 15 I got my first betta and when winter came I almost killed my fish because it was so cold. My parents let me run a space heater in my room to keep my fish warm. It worked and my room was warm I liked it too.

 

[dramaqueen]

So, if the info in that profile is wrong then it needs to be changed.

 

[Kiara1125]

It's not wrong, it's just standard.

 

[jaysee]

Right and wrong are relative.

 

[dramaqueen]

What good is the standard if no one follows it?

 

[dramaqueen]

Does it depend on the individual fish?

 

[jaysee]

So, if the info in that profile is wrong then it needs to be changed.

I could bring it up with the reference team for discussion if you like.

 

[Tazman]

There is no "real" right or wrong, this hobby is about experiences as well as what is deemed "proven". I turn my heaters off in summer for my 75g cichlid tank as it sits fairly close to a window and in summer stays near 78 constant, winter though, it is almost always on as my house gets cold.

If you really need a heater, I have a small one which I no longer use, if you would be interested at my expense, I will ship it off to you, it has been sat in my draw for ages. Send me a PM if you are interested.

It is the holiday season after all

 

[Tolak]

I don't know if the temperature range in the profile needs to be changed, so much as perhaps expanded on. The parameters all play together in many respects, cooler temps generally mean feeding less, slower growth, but a longer life for the fish.

 

[Hallyx]

Which you then play off against activity level, interest and entertainment value. A clamped, stationary Betta in an unheated bowl may live for many years. But, as a keeper, would you find it interesting or satisfying?