How To Keep A Betta Tank Warm? (preset Heater Is Going Out)

My betta's tank has a preset heater -- my mom bought it because 1.) it was cheap, and 2.) it was supposed to be preset to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. You can view the link for the heater here:


Anyway, the heater never quite did what it was supposed to. It never kept the tank hotter than 77 degrees, and usually the temperature hovered around 76.
But now, with winter coming on, the heater stops working at around 74!!! This is awful!! And my betta is feeling the effects!! He's sluggish and tired and he usually just hangs out around the heater like he's cold. (duh) I'm sure he's not sick because my tank's had ample time to cycle and the parameters are "good," as per Petsmart, (though I don't have a testing kit, I'll get into that later,) and he still takes food readily and is excited to see me. So I don't think he's sick. Just...slow.
And I"m concerned about him as it gets colder and colder.

Why can't I just buy a new heater? I don't have any source of income and my mom thinks that it's a waste to buy a new, expensive ($16) heater for "just a fish that won't live that long anyway."
And that's also the same reason I don't have a testing kit. My mom thinks that water parameters are just bogus because "I've kept tons of bettas in bowls that never cycled and they lived for a year! That's a long time! And your Aunt Katrina kept her betta in a vase and it lived for 4 years!"

Please help me. My betta's getting more sluggish every day the temperature drops and I'm concerned about him. Any suggestions on how to keep the tank warm and how to knock some sense into my mom???

Thanks!
(sorry for the loooonnng post)

 

I've had experience with that heater.
Its a very good one.

My mom just always agrees with what I need, and the care for our fish.
Except she has questioned how much space some fish need, but she always want the fish to be happy, and have a great life.

Maybe show your mom this forum.
Parameters are not 'bogus' and test kits are a very important thing to have in the hobby.

Petsmarts teststrips, aren't that accurate.
I would get the API Freshwater Master Test kit.

Maybe float water bottles with hot water in the tank.
I don't really know about something else.

 

I've had experience with that heater.
Its a very good one.

My mom just always agrees with what I need, and the care for our fish.
Except she has questioned how much space some fish need, but she always want the fish to be happy, and have a great life.

Maybe show your mom this forum.
Parameters are not 'bogus' and test kits are a very important thing to have in the hobby.

Petsmarts teststrips, aren't that accurate.
I would get the API Freshwater Master Test kit.

Maybe float water bottles with hot water in the tank.
I don't really know about something else.

I wish I could show her Fishlore. She already hates it! She says that the people on here have no other interests and no life so they just pour themselves into their fish, so they're just over-dramatizing everything that the fish needs. (So does that mean her own daughter has no life???) She also says I spend way too much time on it, bla bla bla, (but maybe I do lol.)
When she saw the price tag on the API Master Test Kit she was like "no way!" (And it's really not that expensive.)
Thanks for the idea about the hot water bottles! I'll try that.

 

Can you ask for Amazon gift cards for Christmas from all your relatives? Then you can order your own kit and heater. I order most of my things from Amazon ... so easy.

 

You could ask for a heater for Christmas or Hanukkah if your family observes one of those holidays. That would definitely show your mother how serious you are about it.

 

Can you ask for Amazon gift cards for Christmas from all your relatives? Then you can order your own kit and heater. I order most of my things from Amazon ... so easy.

Good idea...hopefully Mom won't say something like "I won't let you use that money for something so stupid as fish care" or something like that.

You could ask for a heater for Christmas or Hanukkah if your family observes one of those holidays. That would definitely show your mother how serious you are about it.

Believe me, I have...she just looks at me and says, "You really want to waste your Christmas present on that?"
And I'm like, "Yeah."

 

In the interim, you might see if certain rooms are warmer than others. We have a computer room that is consistently a good 5 degrees warmer than the rest of the house. Also look for spots out of drafts.

Another alternative is to ask for money or a gift card to your local pet store. That way you don't have to get someone to order from Amazon for you if you don't have your own account.

 

But back to keeping the tank warm:
Our house's tap water is dechlorinated already. Would it be safe to pour in some warm tap water into the tank?
(but, our house's water is softened. So would that be an issue?)
Thanks!

 

But back to keeping the tank warm:
Our house's tap water is dechlorinated already. Would it be safe to pour in some warm tap water into the tank?
(but, our house's water is softened. So would that be an issue?)
Thanks!

If you're saying it is well water then it should be fine, I would run the water and get the temp of the hot water to like 80-82 degrees (How large of a tank is this?) and then pour it in slowly so you don't shock the betta.

 

If you're saying it is well water then it should be fine, I would run the water and get the temp of the hot water to like 80-82 degrees (How large of a tank is this?) and then pour it in slowly so you don't shock the betta.

It's a 5 gallon tank. But it's NOT well water; it's just normal tap water from the city. We've just already run it through a dechlorinator.

 

It's a 5 gallon tank. But it's NOT well water; it's just normal tap water from the city. We've just already run it through a dechlorinator.

Ahhhh I see. You should be good then. Since its small, I would put in a gallon of 80 degree water if the temp is below 76

 

Ahhhh I see. You should be good then. Since its small, I would put in a gallon of 80 degree water if the temp is below 76

I think just to be safe I will put my water conditioner in there anyway before I would put the water in the tank.
Thanks!

 

Others with more experience may chime in here, but how about placing a heat generating lamp to shine into the aquarium?

In terms of finding the money for fish supplies, would she or other family members be willing to pay you to do chores around the house? Aunts uncles, cousins, neighbors you know well?

Your mother should be pleased with your interest in fish keeping. It is very educational and you are showing real commitment and follow through in trying to provide the best environment you can for your fish. Don't give up!

 

On the subject of acquiring money for the hobby I personally find that reffing SAY soccer is a good bet. I'm 14 now and i've been doing it for 2 years. It's pretty easy and at least where I live its 20 bucks a game. This season I made prolly 180 dollars and you can do the same but it depends where you live (I'm in ohio) plus whether of not you're into soccer and sports and whatnot.

 

Others with more experience may chime in here, but how about placing a heat generating lamp to shine into the aquarium?

In terms of finding the money for fish supplies, would she or other family members be willing to pay you to do chores around the house? Aunts uncles, cousins, neighbors you know well?

Your mother should be pleased with your interest in fish keeping. It is very educational and you are showing real commitment and follow through in trying to provide the best environment you can for your fish. Don't give up!

My mom is not willing to give me any sort of allowance. I've asked her.

On the subject of acquiring money for the hobby I personally find that reffing SAY soccer is a good bet. I'm 14 now and i've been doing it for 2 years. It's pretty easy and at least where I live its 20 bucks a game. This season I made prolly 180 dollars and you can do the same but it depends where you live (I'm in ohio) plus whether of not you're into soccer and sports and whatnot.

Unfortunately I'm not into sports and never have been. I'm more of a music kind of girl. I couldn't make head or tail of a soccer game!

 

Maybe get the tank to the desired temp & insulate it with blankets...

 

Some people just throw away good stuff. My dad found a 20 long(broken) and a Tetra 20 gallon filter(functional) in a trash can. I know that Pet(insert chain name) throws away some of their stuff so you can probably find a heater that is functional from there. Also, do any of your relatives have fishtanks? If so, ask them for a heater and I’m sure they will give you one.

Also adding in that you can find threads or posts here about people tha5 kept bettas for over 10 years.

 

Unfortunately I'm not into sports and never have been. I'm more of a music kind of girl. I couldn't make head or tail of a soccer game!

Ahhhhhh yeah I quit soccer for marching band but reffing is a good way to stay with it for me, do you play any instruments?

 

Ahhhhhh yeah I quit soccer for marching band but reffing is a good way to stay with it for me, do you play any instruments?

Guitar and I sing (but I've only been playing for 3 years)

Good news!

I talked to my mom and with the Cyber Monday deals going on she said that MAYBE she would buy an adjustable heater for Shy Guy's tank as a sort of early Christmas present! I'm still working on the test kit but my main concern is the heater as I've had the tank for almost 7 months.

 

You should explain to your mother that;

A) Fish are living creatures that deserve to be treated well, just like dogs, cats, horses, etc.
B) Bettas are TROPICAL fish. They come from TROPICAL waters. They are also very hardy fish. Just because they can "survive" in a small bowl with no filter/heater/water quality does NOT mean they are happy or thriving. Some fish have literally attempted to kill themselves by thrusting themselves into the filter or jumping out of their bowl.
C) What she is suggesting, is the exact same thing as getting a dog, and then refusing to take it to the vet, buy it food/water, and take it for walks. Your daughter is invested in a perfectly acceptable, awesome, hobby. Water quality is NOT bogus; just like we need clean air to stay healthy, fish need clean water. You can't know what's going on in your water without a test kit.

Support your daughter and cough up $50 so she can get herself a test kit and a heater. Stop scarring your kid.

and if your Mom still continues to be unreasonable, unsupportive, and cruel; have her send me a message and I'll give her all the facts on the hobby, and maybe a lesson in parenting.

 

What about a space heater in your room? Tell your mom that you get cold at night.

Edit: missed the post about Cyber Monday. Good luck!