Unheated Tank For Betta..

[tenohfive]

I'm in the process of setting up a small-ish hexagonal tank for a betta. The tank is set up, I've added mature media from my other tanks but I've not got a heater for it. I was going to get one towards the end of next month (as my budget for fishkeeping is going to be splurged on my main tank this month) but I made the mistake of going window shopping in my LFS. I've seen a stunning betta that I've fallen head over heels for, and desperately want to get before someone else picks him up.

If I get him will he be alright in an unheated tank for a month?

 

[moll]

Are you in the UK or a warmer country and what is the ambient temperature of the room? do you have a thermometer you can stick in the tank and see how warm the water is?

My room about 18o so no way would I risk it but if yours is a lot warmer you might be ok

 

[tenohfive]

I'm in the UK, not far from London. To give you some context, As soon as theres a slight chill I put on 300 layers and stick the heating on, and its not been on for the last month.

But I'll stick my thermometer in there and post the temp in a couple of hours.

 

[tenohfive]

Seems to have settled at 19.6 C, will check it later to see if its dropped any more.

***Edit - settled at 19 now.

Too low?

 

[ibbledibble]

Seems to have settled at 19.6 C, will check it later to see if its dropped any more.

***Edit - settled at 19 now.

Too low?

way too low, ideally you want it to be around 26-28

have you got any other tanks? if so you could buy a cheap net breeding trap and keep him in there for the month, he probably won't enjoy it much, but he would be warm.

edit: just reread your post and obviously you do have other tanks,
by the way, net breeders cost about £3 in most places

 

[tenohfive]

Cheers for the reply. Has given me something to think about-may just try and cut back elsewhere and get the heater instead. I really do want that fish.

Thanks.