I just got a new heater! What now?

HI everyone. I have a little blue betta fish. He was in a bowl for a bit before I knew much, but I went out and got him a 10 gallon. It is now cycled and good. However, he has not had a heater (My house is warm though and the thermometer showed his tank stayed about 80-82 degrees) because the hobby budget has not allowed for it. Now, it is getting colder and I want him to have one so I got him a 50w Marineland Precision Heater. I think it's working okay, it keeps turning on for like 2 minutes than shutting back off, but the temp is about 80 so I think it's working okay. It took a while earlier though to get to 80. I put it right next to the filter for the best flow. I have a few questions, though.

Is it supposed to be continuously turning on and off, just like turning on for 30 seconds and off again? Its a bit odd. But the temp is good.

Will it burn him if he touches it? It isn't hot to the touch when it's on but I want to make sure.

What if it shorts out? Will it kill him?

I put it next to the filter and he seems to be all around the tank-is it in the right place?

How many degrees can the heater bring the water up from?

Should I know anything else?

Also, off topic, but I put my hand in the water to install the heater. Is this bad?

Thanks for your help. I'm a bit panicked because I really really like this fish and I want him to he as happy as possible.

 

Can you lower the temp just a bit? You don't want it to be very hot. It should be working fine but if your betta gets stuck in the back of the heater it might get burned of continuous heat. A shortage will likely not kill him but surely injure him if he is healthy. Next to the filter is fine. Also, you should put a thermometer on the opposite direction of the heater to manage it properly.

 

Can you lower the temp just a bit? You don't want it to be very hot. It should be working fine but if your betta gets stuck in the back of the heater it might get burned of continuous heat. A shortage will likely not kill him but surely injure him if he is healthy. Next to the filter is fine. Also, you should put a thermometer on the opposite direction of the heater to manage it properly.

Okay, I lowered the temp a bit. The thermometer is already at the opposite end and it is reading 80 degrees. The heater, even when on, seems to heat slowly but accurately and it itself doesn't get too hot. I only feel slight warmth if I touch it.

 

Okay it should be fine.

 

Yeah this morning he was acting a bit odd but after five minutes he was fine.