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Post by goldenpuon on Dec 1, 2009 20:07:35 GMT -5
I need a new way to heat my bettas' 1 gallons seperately. They are all plastic 1 gallons with plastic lids.
I have been heating them by putting them in a much larger container filled with water and a heater. The bettas aren't in this water. It's rather tough to explain.
But the main point is I need a new way to heat them. I am thinking that an infared reptile lamp would be a good idea. Someone, (possibly Carl) suggested it once for heating fish. But I have a questions first.
1. Would the heat still reach the fish enough to warm their water even though the plastic top to their containers would be between the lamp and their water?
2. Would the heat from the lamp melt the plastic lids to my bettas' 1 gallons?
3. How large an area can a reptile heating lamp heat efficiently?
4. What brand is the best?
Thanks.
Renee
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Post by Carl on Dec 2, 2009 11:19:42 GMT -5
1. Would the heat still reach the fish enough to warm their water even though the plastic top to their containers would be between the lamp and their water? 2. Would the heat from the lamp melt the plastic lids to my bettas' 1 gallons? The infrared reptile heat lamps are best used on open tanks or bowls or with a screen top. This depends upon the lamp wattage used and the distance placed, A small basic 25 watt infrared bulb can heat a a 2 gallon bowl. Using a desk lamp holder to vary distance can control the heat I prefer the ZooMed line, but others make good ones such as Coralife. The basic infrared bulbs are good for many small bowls, however the larger porcelain/ceramic infrared heat emitters are better for larger tanks (or of coarse terrariums) See Aquarium Answers; Heaters, other devicesZoomed Heat LampsCarl |
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Post by goldenpuon on Dec 2, 2009 15:24:26 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. I looked through your heater article and also at the reptile lights and infrared heating devices that you posted a link to.
I have a screen top I can put over all my bettas' plastic containers. They are all at the same level so that won't be a problem.
I hope that infrared lamps would heat the water 10 F above the ambient temperature if they are placed far away enough (not more or less). Will they? I saw your 25 watts per 10 F per gallon rule and am concerned since I want to heat a relatively large surface area (the 1 gallons are lined up in rows) and not all that many gallons of water if I get. Basically, I'm afraid I will overheat the water since I might get a higher watt heater to heat a larger horizontal area, not vertical area if that makes any sense.
Don't want to make fried fish for dinner. lol
What is a bigger concern is with the second link. I'm don't about is exactly what each of the products on the page are. Some look like they some are lights and bulbs and others are for infrared heating, but I can't tell the difference between them. I am looking at the information and other than the wattage as an indicator, I have no idea how much the infrared devices mentioned heat. Some say they are primarily a heat source but on the box, there is a picture of the lamp producing a shining light.
My question then I guess is which one you would recommend I get if I want to heat a large area since I am clueless as to what each item I see on the list from the link is. (Sorry, I haven't kept reptiles before and am not all that familiar with lights for fish).
The can't find the prices for them either which is a problem since I may want to buy one of them.
Sorry for the trouble. And thanks again for your help.
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Post by Carl on Dec 2, 2009 20:01:31 GMT -5
The second link is to ZooMeds webpage, nothing is for sale on this page. This was posted for your convenience so as to see what is available.
I do not know what the exact size of the containers, but making a guess a low wattage 25 to 40 watt bulb infrared bulb is likely fine.
The 25 watts per 10 F per gallon rule is for in tank heaters, not for lights like this. You simply have to position the lights above the tanks, bowls ina desk lamp holder or similar and then adjust the distance up or down until you get the correct heat as measured by a thermometer in your bowls/tanks.
Carl
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Post by goldenpuon on Dec 3, 2009 17:30:50 GMT -5
Thanks Carl. i will look for these elsewhere online or at my local petstore.
I guess I was making this more difficult than it was then. Just so you know, each container is pretty square shaped. Kind of like a 3-D cube.
I see. I guess I misread that. I will be getting an infrared lamp for my fish, hopefully in the next couple weeks.
Renee
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