Heater and water change advice needed

[FalconNest]

I just set up my first betta tank, a 1.6 gallon, and I'm trying to figure out the temperature situation. I've read that you shouldn't use a heater in a tank this small, but it's currently empty, so I've got some time to decide. Without the light on, the temperature stays around 68 degrees, which is a bit cooler than I'd like.

I'm considering moving the tank to a warmer spot, but I'm also thinking about getting a heater. The thing is, I had the tank on the kitchen counter for a day, and the temperature stayed at a steady 72 degrees without the light on. So, I'm wondering if a heater is really necessary.

If I do end up getting a heater, I'm curious about how you all handle water changes in terms of temperature. We have well water, so I don't have to worry about the additives they put in city water. I use a stick-on thermometer on the hose to adjust the water temperature when I do water changes in my larger tank. Would I do the same thing with this smaller tank?

I've also heard that it's a good idea to "age" the water for 24 hours or so before adding it to the tank. But since I'm using well water, I'm not sure if that's necessary. I do use Stress Coat as a water treatment, just to be safe.

I'd love to get some advice on this before I add a fish to the tank. Thanks!

[Rivera]

I've got a 2.5 gallon tank myself, and I do use a heater in it. It may not kick in all that often, but I like having the peace of mind that it's there if I need it. I know some folks might say it's not necessary for smaller tanks, but personally, I'd rather err on the side of caution - I'd hate for my fish to get sick or worse because I didn't take the extra precaution.

[fluxy]

I'd definitely consider a mini heater for that 1.6 gallon tank, just to be on the safe side. I mean, even if it's not always on, it's better to have that extra layer of protection for your betta. And yeah, aiming for a temperature range of 76-80 degrees sounds like a good plan to me.

[coralsa]

I've had good luck with the junior heaters from Walmart on my own small tanks. Although the packaging says they're not recommended for tanks under 2 gallons, I've found they work just fine in my 1-gallon setups, consistently keeping the temperature at a comfortable 78 degrees.

[Finleya]

I swear by the Hydor Mini Heater - it's been a game-changer for me. I've got one in Archie's tank, which is the same size as yours. If we meet up at PW on Tuesday, I can show it to you, but unfortunately, they were out of stock when I stopped by today.

[flora]

I've found a simple solution for my smaller tanks - a heating pad does the trick. It's consistent and doesn't fluctuate, which is just what I need. Plus, it's super affordable. I've noticed the fish seem to enjoy lounging on the bottom from time to time, where it's nice and warm. I've added some low-lying plants with three fronds, and they always seem to choose the lower leaves to perch on.

[FalconNest]

Yeah, I checked out the options last week, and also took a look at Mounds and PS yesterday, but didn't see anything suitable for my little 1.6 gallon tank. Can you set the temperature on the Hydor Mini Heater, and does the light on the tank make a significant difference in the temperature?

Also, I'm curious about how you all handle water changes - do you take the betta out until the water reaches the desired temperature? If I can get a CT tomorrow, I'd love to bring it home and get it settled in this tank, but I want to make sure I've got a solid plan in place first.

What's the minimum temperature for keeping a betta, anyway? If I move the tank upstairs where it's consistently 72-74 degrees, would that be sufficient? That way, I wouldn't have to worry about the temperature fluctuations during water changes...

[flora]

When I do water changes, I make sure the replacement water is pretty close to the temp it was before I took the fish out - a few degrees cooler is no big deal, but I try to avoid making it warmer than it was before.

[kaidon]

I just set up my first betta tank, a 1.6 gallon, and I'm trying to figure out the temperature situation. I've read that you shouldn't use a heater in a tank this small, but it's currently empty, so I've got some time to decide. Without the light on, the temperature stays around 68 degrees, which is a bit cooler than I'd like.

I'm considering moving the tank to a warmer spot, but I'm also thinking about getting a heater. The thing is, I had the tank on the kitchen counter for a day, and the temperature stayed at a steady 72 degrees without the light on. So, I'm wondering if a heater is really necessary.

If I do end up getting a heater, I'm curious about how you all handle water changes in terms of temperature. We have well water, so I don't have to worry about the additives they put in city water. I use a stick-on thermometer on the hose to adjust the water temperature when I do water changes in my larger tank. Would I do the same thing with this smaller tank?

I've also heard that it's a good idea to "age" the water for 24 hours or so before adding it to the tank. But since I'm using well water, I'm not sure if that's necessary. I do use Stress Coat as a water treatment, just to be safe.

I'd love to get some advice on this before I add a fish to the tank. Thanks!

If you're worried about the temperature in your 1.6 gallon tank, you could consider a nano heater. I've got one in my 10L tank where I rear young fry and it works a treat.