Prince Powder

I'm upgrading my bettas from unheated bowls to a divided heated tank. In their bowls they are subject to room temps which keep the water at about 74-75 degrees. I know bettas thrive at about 78-80 degrees (80 being preferred) which is where I will keep them once my tank is cycled and they've been moved. My question is due to the differences in temperatures, would it be better to set my tank to the 80 degrees now and float the bettas for a bit then add them or would it be better to leave the tank at room temp, add the bettas then use my heater to raise the temps more gradually after the fish have been added? I just filled my tank last night with dechlorinated water and the water I added was too warm so I'm waiting for it to cool to room temp then I plan of fiddling around with the heater to see how quickly it raises the temps. I plan on doing a fishless cycle so I'll have that cycling time to find out how many degrees the heater raises the tank with each click. It's a new heater so I'm not familiar with how it works yet.

Llama

If I were you, I'd use the usual method for introducing fishes to their new home. Put it in a plastic bag with the water, float the bag inside the tank (so it takes the temperature of the water), adding some water inside (to gently tip the chemistry) then introducing it to its new home.

Prince Powder

Thanks! I know floating them would get the temperatures even, I just wasn't sure if it would raise the temps too fast since it would be about a five degree rise in just a few minutes.

Llama

Water isn't such a good conductor of heat (has a specific heat capacity of 4200J/kgK) so the temperature change is going to be pretty slow. So nothing really to worry about.

Lucy

Congrats on the upgrade! Your bettas will appreciate it.

Prince Powder

Thanks!

Lucy

Oh, don't forget to post pics when you're all set up!

michael68

My betta went from a small bowl to a heated 20 gallon community and has has never been more full of life!!