Heater / Acrylic Plastic Tank

Hey! So I just bought a 3 gallon tank and I’m going to put 1 or 2 tetra fish in there but I’m just waiting to test the waters and cycle the tank. But, My tank is made out of Acrylic plastic. I have a heater near the corner and I’m very worried it’s going to melt the plastic. Will it or will it not?

 

Acrylic tanks are built to house heaters and filters! I wouldn’t worry about it. However; I know you didn’t ask this but from hard-won experience- nano tanks are a pain in the rear. If a shrimp sneezes in your tank you’ll have an ammonia spike and the water gets out of whack really fast. If you are new to the hobby and have the space, I really recommend taking the plunge into a 29 gallon at least. You have so many more stock options and leeway with water chemistry.

 

What kind of three gallon tank did you get? I have one, and while I've never had to heat it, I hate it cause it's curved.... Makes everything sooooo much harder(Watching, trying to net out a speedy betta....)

 

Acrylic is suitable for heating however, plastic may not. Double check to make sure it's actually acrylic.

Also, I absolutely do NOT recommend tetras for a 3 gallon. Most tetras get too large or active for small tanks. Neon Tetras, for example, like big schools of 10+ in at least 15 gallons. Buenos Aires Tetras get 3" and can be semi-aggressive. Glofish Tetras are a genetically modified Skirt Tetra, get up to 3", semi-aggressive. Semi-aggressive tetras need big tanks to establish territories and even out aggression but small tetras like big groups and more space.

In a 3 gallon, I suggest either:
1. Up to 15 neocaridina
2. Pest/feeder snails
3. A very lazy betta
4. A dwarf crayfish
5. Up to 2 guppies
6. Up to 3 endlers

If you need help stocking your tank, try Aqadvisor! I've used this calculator for YEARS! Very helpful

 

Acrylic tanks are built to house heaters and filters! I wouldn’t worry about it. However; I know you didn’t ask this but from hard-won experience- nano tanks are a pain in the rear. If a shrimp sneezes in your tank you’ll have an ammonia spike and the water gets out of whack really fast. If you are new to the hobby and have the space, I really recommend taking the plunge into a 29 gallon at least. You have so many more stock options and leeway with water chemistry.

what if I don’t have a shrimp? Thanks so much for the tips though. You are so helpful

 

Acrylic is suitable for heating however, plastic may not. Double check to make sure it's actually acrylic.

Also, I absolutely do NOT recommend tetras for a 3 gallon. Most tetras get too large or active for small tanks. Neon Tetras, for example, like big schools of 10+ in at least 15 gallons. Buenos Aires Tetras get 3" and can be semi-aggressive. Glofish Tetras are a genetically modified Skirt Tetra, get up to 3", semi-aggressive. Semi-aggressive tetras need big tanks to establish territories and even out aggression but small tetras like big groups and more space.

In a 3 gallon, I suggest either:
1. Up to 15 neocaridina
2. Pest/feeder snails
3. A very lazy betta
4. A dwarf crayfish
5. Up to 2 guppies
6. Up to 3 endlers

If you need help stocking your tank, try Aqadvisor! I've used this calculator for YEARS! Very helpful

I’m going to chime in on tiny tank water chemistry again- neocaridinas are pretty sensitive to water chemistry changes. I once had 5 in a 5 gallon and killed three of them with an overly aggressive water change. (75%-don’t do what I did) They all force molted. I was very sad.

 

Acrylic is suitable for heating however, plastic may not. Double check to make sure it's actually acrylic.

Also, I absolutely do NOT recommend tetras for a 3 gallon. Most tetras get too large or active for small tanks. Neon Tetras, for example, like big schools of 10+ in at least 15 gallons. Buenos Aires Tetras get 3" and can be semi-aggressive. Glofish Tetras are a genetically modified Skirt Tetra, get up to 3", semi-aggressive. Semi-aggressive tetras need big tanks to establish territories and even out aggression but small tetras like big groups and more space.

In a 3 gallon, I suggest either:
1. Up to 15 neocaridina
2. Pest/feeder snails
3. A very lazy betta
4. A dwarf crayfish
5. Up to 2 guppies
6. Up to 3 endlers

If you need help stocking your tank, try Aqadvisor! I've used this calculator for YEARS! Very helpful

Thank you so much! I now just realized I meant to say guppies but I guess I was thinking about Tretas lol! Thanks so much though this was reallyyy helpful

What kind of three gallon tank did you get? I have one, and while I've never had to heat it, I hate it cause it's curved.... Makes everything sooooo much harder(Watching, trying to net out a speedy betta....)

I’m pretty sure it’s a

What kind of three gallon tank did you get? I have one, and while I've never had to heat it, I hate it cause it's curved.... Makes everything sooooo much harder(Watching, trying to net out a speedy betta....)

I have a Tetra Bubbling LED Aquarium Kit 3 Gallons, Half-Moon Fish Tank With Color-Changing Light Disc : Amazon.ca: Pet Supplies !

 

I’m going to chime in on tiny tank water chemistry again- neocaridinas are pretty sensitive to water chemistry changes. I once had 5 in a 5 gallon and killed three of them with an overly aggressive water change. (75%-don’t do what I did) They all force molted. I was very sad.

Agreed, but if you do it right, I've seen people keep 50 neocaridina in a 5 gallon. It's doable, but only if you know what you're doing

Thank you so much! I now just realized I meant to say guppies but I guess I was thinking about Tretas lol! Thanks so much though this was reallyyy helpful

I’m pretty sure it’s a

I have a Tetra Bubbling LED Aquarium Kit 3 Gallons, Half-Moon Fish Tank With Color-Changing Light Disc : Amazon.ca: Pet Supplies !

Oh, WOO! Almost gave me a heart attack there! I was like "how can they know about cycling but not proper stocking? Odd..."

 

Agreed, but if you do it right, I've seen people keep 50 neocaridina in a 5 gallon. It's doable, but only if you know what you're doing

For sure! I looked at those for inspiration. I had high hopes of baby shrimplets. But if you don’t it goes south quick! Someday I’ll try again but for now I’m going back to my big tanks.