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Post by demfish on Oct 9, 2008 8:35:41 GMT -5
First I talk my on line friend in Ga, into buying a Betta... Then told her she should have a heater, the tank is a two gal. So yesterday they put the heater in, told her she should watch the temp.all day... This Morning the Betta was fried  It was one of those cheap heaters from Wally world  |
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Post by 8 in the Corner on Oct 9, 2008 9:04:09 GMT -5
First I talk my on line friend in Ga, into buying a Betta... Then told her she should have a heater, the tank is a two gal. So yesterday they put the heater in, told her she should watch the temp.all day... This Morning the Betta was fried It was one of those cheap heaters from Wally world
There is no reason for you to feel badly, even those cheap heaters have thermostats in them that need to be set before leaving them to heat all night. If the directions are not followed exactly, as it is placed in the tank and turned on, disaster can strike.
The heater should be placed in the tank and NOT plugged in for at least 15 minutes so the thermostat can adjust to the current temp. Then, after plugging it in, the temp adjustment knob should be turned very slightly until the light (indicating that it is heating) just comes on, then turn it off. If it is already on, turn the knob until it goes off.
Now the process of setting the water temp for the fish starts. Note the temp of the water and whether or not the light is on. If the light is off, turn the knob until it comes on and wait until it goes off. Note the temp again and how much it has risen. Continue to do this until the temp is at the desired level and then make sure the light goes out indicating the thermostat is controlling the heating cycle.
In retrospect, your friend's betta probably could have waited in its' cup from the store until the heater was set properly. Do not feel that the death of your friend's betta was, in any way, your fault. One of two things happened after the decision was made to get a betta, either the heater WAS faulty or your friend did not follow the directions correctly.
Some additional information concerning heaters: The formula for the size of heater vs the size of the tank is 3-5 watts per gallon of water in the tank. The smaller the volume of water, the lower the watts in the formula should be used. So, for a 2g container, a 6 watt heater should have been the one to purchase. I don't really know if they even make heaters that small, does anyone else have that info handy?
John |
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Post by demfish on Oct 9, 2008 9:12:25 GMT -5
She said there was not a knob to turn up or down. asked her to read the instrucktions..Said she did?
Asked her to read the box, she said it was for 1 to 3 tanks. I still feel a little responsible.. But thats just me! Tried to get her to join here and also to buy a heater off Carl! Oh well Thanks for making me feel a little better 8
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Post by Carl on Oct 9, 2008 9:41:17 GMT -5
I will simply say "ditto" to John/8 on his points rather than repeat. Here is the formula I have found to work for heaters: I recommend 25 watts for every 10 degrees of ambient temperature per 10 gallons you need to raise your aquarium temperature. EX: If your home is 68 degrees and you have a 40 gallon aquarium, to reach a temperature of 78 degrees you would need a 100 watt heater. For Betta there are a few methods that work well, one that I have used MANY times is the use of an infrared reptile lamps in a desk lamp over a betta bowl with distance adjusted for heat requirements. This allows for day/night cycles and is simple and effective. The other newer idea is the Hydor Mini Heater which simply goes into the bowl and works like as heating pad. Please se my Aquarium Answers article dealing with subject along with a section about heater Betta Tanks: Aquarium Answers; HeatersPlease do not blame yourself, this could have happned regardless where she bought her heater. Carl |
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Post by demfish on Oct 9, 2008 14:50:25 GMT -5
Oh I suppose... Its just she's been Instant messaging all day. She's not even blaming me or her self..
Told her what you said 8, so after she cleaned the bowl out. She put the heater back in the tank, let it sit for 15 Min's. Plugged it back in and waited. It was 85 degrees when she unplugged it. Was suppose to turn off at 82!
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Post by goldenpuon on Oct 9, 2008 15:34:32 GMT -5
Weird, maybe it was broken.
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Post by babygeige on Oct 9, 2008 18:02:08 GMT -5
I agree with 8 in the Corner. Don't be too hard on yourself!
What is the temperature of their house? When I had Finn at the office, I didn't have a heater, because it was always around 73 degrees in there. If your friend's house doesn't get too cold, maybe they could even do without?
Will your friend try again?
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Post by demfish on Oct 9, 2008 19:03:37 GMT -5
I agree with 8 in the Corner. Don't be too hard on yourself! What is the temperature of their house? When I had Finn at the office, I didn't have a heater, because it was always around 73 degrees in there. If your friend's house doesn't get too cold, maybe they could even do without? Will your friend try again? Funny you said this..Think I did talk her into trying one more time! ;D If it don't work out this time she will give up |
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Post by brenda on Oct 9, 2008 19:08:52 GMT -5
I agree...don't feel bad. These things happen. Have her try again and just make sure temp stays stable before adding a fish. Maybe the heater was faulty.
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Post by Carl on Oct 9, 2008 19:29:12 GMT -5
I agree with 8 in the Corner. Don't be too hard on yourself! What is the temperature of their house? When I had Finn at the office, I didn't have a heater, because it was always around 73 degrees in there. If your friend's house doesn't get too cold, maybe they could even do without? Will your friend try again? Funny you said this..Think I did talk her into trying one more time! ;D If it don't work out this time she will give up I am glad she is going to give this another try, as I hate to see persons get "burnt out" on fish keeping before they really get started. I would however try and urge her to take a different approach as likely the smallest heater she got at Wally world was a 25 watt, and likely this was an Economy Automatic Heater (as I reference in the article I pasted earlier) which can be more difficult to maintain and are more prone to over heating even when adjustments are small. The heat lamp idea or the Hydo Mini Heaters (which are only 7 watts) are vastly safer and vastly more mistake proof. I would STRONGLY urge her to try one of these methods instead. Hydor Mini Heater:  Carl |
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Post by demfish on Oct 9, 2008 19:47:44 GMT -5
Carl shes in GA, do you know if they sell them in LFS, don't think she will do a mail order, asked her. But she hem haad around! Shes been buying the Betta's at pet smart. I have never seen a heater like that there.
I will pass the info on to her tho. Thanks
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Post by Carl on Oct 9, 2008 20:04:03 GMT -5
Carl shes in GA, do you know if they sell them in LFS, don't think she will do a mail order, asked her. But she hem haad around! Shes been buying the Betta's at pet smart. I have never seen a heater like that there. I will pass the info on to her tho. Thanks I know that there are pet stores that sell these. Also the idea with the Reptile Infrared lights works well and is easy to set and buy, in fact I do not even sell these, I suggest this idea not because I have something to sell, but because it works and is cost effective as well. I would pass her the Heater article which has both these ideas for bettas.: Aquarium Answers; HeatersWish her good luck from ALL of us here at EA too. Carl |
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Post by demfish on Oct 9, 2008 21:49:53 GMT -5
I suggest this idea not because I have something to sell, but because it works and is cost effective as well.
Oh I know this Carl, will wish her luck from here. She may join...still working on that! Thanks again!
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Post by eve on Oct 10, 2008 3:22:35 GMT -5
ahem, i saw somewhere up there you mentioning a bowl does she have a filter  because if she doesn't have a filter, there not much point in having a heater, as the water won't be circulated and that might be the reason the heater doesn't turn off when it's suppose to but hey, that's just a guess into the blue and by the way, no reason to feel bad, things happen |
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Post by Carl on Oct 10, 2008 9:13:36 GMT -5
ahem, i saw somewhere up there you mentioning a bowl does she have a filter because if she doesn't have a filter, there not much point in having a heater, as the water won't be circulated and that might be the reason the heater doesn't turn off when it's suppose to but hey, that's just a guess into the blue and by the way, no reason to feel bad, things happen This is an EXCELLENT point Eve, nice "catch". She may have a filter, however most persons I have seen with Bettas with this size tank/bowl do not have a filter or aeration device. This is another reason I prefer the infrared light method or the Mini Heater as these two do not depend on circulation. Carl |
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Post by demfish on Oct 10, 2008 9:59:20 GMT -5
She did buy a small filter, but did not get a chance to put it in |
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Post by goldenpuon on Oct 10, 2008 16:32:59 GMT -5
What kind of filter is it? I'm really sorry to hear that you and her are going thorugh this.
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Post by babygeige on Oct 10, 2008 23:19:10 GMT -5
I have one of those heaters that Carl posted a picture of. I got it at Petco, so if your friend has a Petco, maybe they will have it! It works very well!
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Post by demfish on Oct 11, 2008 14:41:21 GMT -5
OK she did get another Betta, a crown this time... I'm sorry but... it must be my horrible sense of humor working here, Shes searching for name... came up with Stewert Asked her she liked stewed fish or what?
Won't post what she said to me...ME BAD? Yes I know...but shes not mad at me.
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Post by goldenpuon on Oct 11, 2008 14:53:46 GMT -5
She might not want to start with a crowntail. They are a little harder to keep than most bettas. Their long fins tend to curl when they are kept in poor water condition and they are also tougher ot breed. Sorry if I sounded the alarm but as long as she takes goo care of her crowntail, it should be fine. Good luck!
Oh, and maybe you could suggest she join EA if she wants.
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It was one of those cheap heaters from Wally world 
