Bettas and Temperature

Bottom posted.


"Dan White" wrote in message
...
Hi. I last posted about what kind of small tank to get for my new betta.
I
ended up with an Eclipse corner 5 tank (5 gal). I also picked up a 25
watt
heater as I was concerned about temp changes even though someone here said
his 3 gal didn't fluctuate at all. I guess the lfs guy talked me into it,
plus getting a heater seems the right thing to do anyway.

So, I hook everything up and find out that tank is running at about 83-84
degrees F. It was even this warm in the early morning before any lights
were on. I have to assume the motor is generating a lot of heat as the
apartment is only about 72. I know bettas like it warm (80?) but am I
getting into a problem with oxygen content and/or stress at this high a
temp? Also, if I want to put any other fish in there, I will have a
problem
unless I get the temp down.

Oh, and the thermometer isn't even on. It was this warm before I put the
thermometer in.

Thanks for any input,
dwhite



Someone here should have already warned you about that problem - it is
common with the eclipses, like you said the semi-submersible motor those
models use generate a lot of heat. The motor is primarily used for
filtration, including biofiltration via the biowheel - biowheels are the
best biological filters in my opinion, even undergravel filters aren't quite
as good even in optimal conditions. There is a previous thread (check google
usenet/newsgroup archives via searching google groups including the entire
usenet/newsgroup information) here about how the semi-submersed motor
generates a relatively large amount of heat and warms the water in the
eclipses. There are other potential problems with these models such as
cracking of the plastic motor housing possibly exposing the owner to harmful
electricity in the tank's water, I am pretty sure that post about the
cracking is in the archives too. You need to make a decision - are these
problems and potential problems worth it? I myself would return it for
another similar but different tank/complete kit and get one that does not
have a submersed motor (the heat problem is strange because a small
powerhead, which is similar to the semi-submersed motor, only has a minimal
effect on similar sized tank's temperatures - go figure) even if it doesn't
look as pretty. In fact I recommend you strike a balance between total
prettiness less customizable (an eclipse system tank) and ugly totally
customizable. Get a small tank and use a 25 (or less) watt thermostat (in
other words - automatic) controlled heater instead of using the eclipse
systems tank (I love marineland, the brand, but in light of these problems
they are having with their eclipse systems I'd say the eclipse systems are
junk). For a filter I would use something like a hagen brand elite mini
submersible. For a light for plants I would use a table lamp with a
fluorescent light over the tank's surface far enough away to prevent raising
the temperature too much. Summary = generic is best in my opinion not only
with computers but with aquarium setups.

Bettas can stand temperatures between 68 and 90 degrees fahrenheit but
proper breeding temperature is 78 degrees fahrenheit. Good luck with making
your decision, I hope for the best for you and your pet fish betta - which
probably is very beautiful. They make wonderful pets. Later!