ricktavious

The only heaters for small tanks I can find are non-adjustable ones that keep the water at 78 degrees. I know that 78 is acceptable, but would I be better off in the long run if I went ahead and bought a Visi-therm 25 watt? If it matters (and I doubt it does) the heater would be in a tank for a female betta who will not be breeding (at least she better not be ).

Also, for the record, I'm kind of tight on money right now so keep that in mind with your response.

Phloxface

If that's all you can afford right now then 78F is better than nothing. I often turn mine down to 79F too.
When you can though, you should get the better one just because there may be times when you need to have warmer temps (like when the fish is sick) and just because a better heater will last longer and has less chance of malfunctioning. Of course the cheaper one might break fairly soon and then you'd have to get another anyways so that is something to take into consideration. I bought a cheap Neptune heater once and it lasted only a week before it started overheating the tank.

What brand of heater is the cheaper one you are considering?

ricktavious

Not too sure what brand it is (can't remember) but still can't believe they don't have any 25 W heaters around here!

COBettaCouple

you could also maybe use the heat from a desk lamp or a computer to warm the tank some?

capekate

I know when I am looking for a 25w at the LFS, they always seem to be out of them. It must be a popular size heater. 25w is a great size for a small tank.

COBettaCouple

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113767 - these are our fav. heaters.

capekate

I have the same thing in my 29g tank. Have you had any problems adjusting the temperature? that knob sure is hard to turn up or down...Ive found that I have to use a pair of pliers just to get it to move..

COBettaCouple

i have yet to find a heater that's real easy to move the knob, their deluxe heaters are just as hard to move.. that's the one thing i'd like to see them improve on.

Phloxface

I have no problem with my All Glass Heaters. The dial turns easily and the heater has been very accurate.

chickadee

I really have found that you really do much better not to skimp on a heater. I believe that the All Glass now have lifetime warranties as well as Visitherm Stealth. I would not have a Visitherm Deluxe in my tanks as they have a tendency to break and leave glass all over your tank, even if they do have the lifetime warranty. The extra money for a good heater is well spent as I will tell you that sometimes even with a great heater they do malfunction. With a cheap heater you just increase the chance of it happening and a cooked tank of fish is heartbreaking, I promise you (having just had one last week). I have mostly Visitherm Stealth heaters but I have gone the way of Gunnie and purchased the titanium heaters for two of my tanks and I do love them as well as they are very small and you do not have to get wet to change the temperature as the dial is on the plug. It is also very easy to get the temperature you want as they are super easy to adjust. But they are most expensive. $28.99 for my last one which was for my 25 gallon after the meltdown that killed a betta and an oto. Now it is keeping that tank at a steady 80.2 degrees in spite of the fact that the tank is divided with a piece of solid plexiglas. It works very well putting the heater down by the uptake for the filter and the one side gets the heat from the heater being there and the other from the heated water going up through the filter.

Rose

COBettaCouple

Rose is right, we had a deluxe crack on us in the mahachai betta fry tank. with the move to denver, every tank of ours will be switched over to visitherm stealths. with 10 tanks, the titaniums would add up.. just the stealths will.