Dangerously Low Tank Temperature

[ColorMeWonderful]

Hey everyone,

If you live in the Northeast area (particularly the tri-state area, which includes NY, NJ, CT), you know how cold it was last night and today. My fish tank isn't exactly in front of the window, but it's about a foot to the side. Munch's water temperature this morning was probably around 50-60 degrees Farenheight, even with the heat on in the room and his tank light. I just changed his water because it wasn't warming up faster and he seemed to be slowing down. I quickly scrubbed out most of the algae because I wanted to get him into a warmer tank ASAP. Now the water temp is about 71-75 degrees. Is this safe for him? I mean, to put him in water thats over 20 degrees warmer? Will he get sick from it or something? It looked like Munch perked up when I put him in a warm cup of water while I was changing the tank and he's a bit more active than before.

I want to do whatever I can to make him more comfortable and healthy. This Sunday, the 28th, will be 15 months since I got him. Will he be alright? Thanks so much.

Leah

 

[zoekin8yg]

you dont really want to raise the temperature too fast as it could shock him. Do you not have a heater?

 

[Glod]

How big is the bowl ? If it's smaller than 5 gallons or so then keeping a decent temperature even with a heater is going to be tricky. I'd suggest if it's a cold snap moving him to a warmer room if possible. At least away from cold spots in the room he is in.

Increasing the temperature that much quickly is not ideal. A possibly better option would be to float his bowl in a basin of hot water (cool enough that you can put your hand in it tho!) and let the temperature equalise slowly. Make sure you keep an eye on the bowl temp during the process tho. Ideally you want to get some form of heater in there if the bowl is large enough.

The rapid temperature change could stress him, stress can leave him vulnerable to opportunistic infection. Just keep an eye on him, hopefully he'll be fine.

 

[ColorMeWonderful]

you dont really want to raise the temperature too fast as it could shock him. Do you not have a heater?

Do you mean a heater in my dorm room or on his tank? He has a 7 watt bulb as his heat source and light source (not something I'm crazy about but I can't get him a new tank right now). I can't really adjust the heat in my room because it would affect the other rooms. I turned it up a little bit even though I should not have.

 

[Jaded12]

Quick increases in temperature can be quite dangerous for bettas, it stresses them and they can get sick. When I first started keeping bettas, one of my boys was near a window that I forgot to close, his water dropped quickly to about 50 degrees so I panicked and put him right into warm (75 degree) water. The next morning he was covered in fungus and died later that day, that was a very big lesson I learned. So i've learned its better to very slowly increase the temp even though it means they'll be in colder water longer.

 

[ColorMeWonderful]

How big is the bowl ? If it's smaller than 5 gallons or so then keeping a decent temperature even with a heater is going to be tricky. I'd suggest if it's a cold snap moving him to a warmer room if possible. At least away from cold spots in the room he is in.

Increasing the temperature that much quickly is not ideal. A possibly better option would be to float his bowl in a basin of hot water (cool enough that you can put your hand in it tho!) and let the temperature equalise slowly. Make sure you keep an eye on the bowl temp during the process tho. Ideally you want to get some form of heater in there if the bowl is large enough.

The rapid temperature change could stress him, stress can leave him vulnerable to opportunistic infection. Just keep an eye on him, hopefully he'll be fine.

His tank is only a gallon. I could put him in the lounge but it's a public room and it can get cold fast.

The only "basin" available is the bathroom sink and clearly I can't just fill the sink because then no one else could use it (I'm at college, by the way).

I think he's doing pretty well. The water temp hasn't really changed so that's a good thing. I won't be opening any windows tonight or until this cold front dies down a bit.

Quick increases in temperature can be quite dangerous for bettas, it stresses them and they can get sick. When I first started keeping bettas, one of my boys was near a window that I forgot to close, his water dropped quickly to about 50 degrees so I panicked and put him right into warm (75 degree) water. The next morning he was covered in fungus and died later that day, that was a very big lesson I learned. So i've learned its better to very slowly increase the temp even though it means they'll be in colder water longer.

Well his water isn't exactly 75 degrees. I'd say it's in the high 60's and maybe low 70's (at it's warmest). I really, really hope that doesn't happen to him. He's doing better and is more active than this morning when it was in the low 60's. Should I feed him tonight or wait it out? I usually fast him once a week (so he doesn't get too full, you know?).

 

[wendyngd]

Hi, I, too, live in the northeast us and boy it's been cold...My betta's in a 2 gallon bowl and I use a heater--25 watts, I think. There are ones with lower wattage--like 8 I think. I just monitor mine carefully (daily) 'cause it's a small tank and I set the thermostat a drop lower than I want it to be in case it surges...He loves it--sleeps behind it;..

Also, might I suggest something I heard about to keep fish warm if the power goes off- They actually said to wrap a blanket around the tank/bowl--maybe that could help til you get a heater.

Re temp changes, I learned the hard way, but caught it in time. When I first changed this betta's water, I figured being a tropical fish, the warmer water wouldn't be a problem---but when I put him back into the water, he looked like he kept coming up to the surface GASPING for breath!! I was so frightened and consulted one of my fish books and luckily found out that this might be a symptom of water too hot...So started slowly adding a little cooler water--but also turned on the a/c which was righ near him to help cool down the tank. Well, in no time, he was bouncing around again looking for the next snack.

But then I went out and bought a cheap plastic thermometer and I monitor the water I add to his tank in the changes--making sure it's pretty much around what the other water was when I changed it--and the water in the bowl he's waiting in, too. (usually about 80 degrees) It's a little extra trouble, but worth it not to see my sweet betta gasping again.

So, the betta and we all know you're doing your best. So hang in there and keep warm.\

THat's my guy in the corner!! looks like one of your late ones..

-Wendy

 

[ColorMeWonderful]

Hi, I, too, live in the northeast us and boy it's been cold...My betta's in a 2 gallon bowl and I use a heater--25 watts, I think. There are ones with lower wattage--like 8 I think. I just monitor mine carefully (daily) 'cause it's a small tank and I set the thermostat a drop lower than I want it to be in case it surges...He loves it--sleeps behind it;..

Also, might I suggest something I heard about to keep fish warm if the power goes off- They actually said to wrap a blanket around the tank/bowl--maybe that could help til you get a heater.

Re temp changes, I learned the hard way, but caught it in time. When I first changed this betta's water, I figured being a tropical fish, the warmer water wouldn't be a problem---but when I put him back into the water, he looked like he kept coming up to the surface GASPING for breath!! I was so frightened and consulted one of my fish books and luckily found out that this might be a symptom of water too hot...So started slowly adding a little cooler water--but also turned on the a/c which was righ near him to help cool down the tank. Well, in no time, he was bouncing around again looking for the next snack.

But then I went out and bought a cheap plastic thermometer and I monitor the water I add to his tank in the changes--making sure it's pretty much around what the other water was when I changed it--and the water in the bowl he's waiting in, too. (usually about 80 degrees) It's a little extra trouble, but worth it not to see my sweet betta gasping again.

So, the betta and we all know you're doing your best. So hang in there and keep warm.\

THat's my guy in the corner!! looks like one of your late ones..

-Wendy

Oh do you mean the red betta in my signature? That's my Smile. He died of constipation (I never even knew bettas could get that until he passed. But because of that, I now fast Munch every Sunday, or one day a week).

I have a cheap thermometer too. It sticks to the tank. Never really came in handy because it's a bit hard to tell what the temperature is. I know that sounds retarded but I'll take a pic and you'll know what I mean. There's no mercury in it, just squares next to the numbers.

The temp in his tank has been pretty stable since I changed the water on Friday. It's stayed in the 70s so that's good. He seems fine, really. And since it is now Sunday, I have had him for 15 months! Though, technically, it'll be 15 months in the late afternoon lol.

The temp outside is supposed to be in the 30s next week so I won't be putting my window fan in until it gets to that point, and even then I won't leave it in all day. Well, at least now I know what to do in the really cold weather! Thanks everyone!