BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Heaters

Theo lives in a one gall. glass bowl and in the winter/ fall his temp. gets in the high 60's. So I was wondering if any of these heaters are good for a one gall. or if I need to get a bigger tank. Thanks!
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-Jenny and Theodore <img src="/images/graemlins/fish.gif" alt="" />

Well if you are going to get one of the two heaters you have on those pages I would go with the All-Glass Submersible Aquarium Heater, the second one. Just because if you can lay it on it's side or on the bottom you can more than likely fit it into the bowl you have. It looks alot like the heater I have which has been working great for me and my fan tail goldfish.

The helpful part about the other heater is that you might be able to get one smaller,which I'm guessing wouold be a help. Both look like reliable heaters to me, so it really matters on what works best or fits best with your fish.

Hope you and Theodore find what you need for this fall/winter!

Fantails and Betas

Thanks Fantails and Bettas! I would also like to know: Would a 50 watt heater (like them)over heat a 1 gall. bowl? How do you know? Thanks!

I'm not quite sure how the whole watt vs gallons ratio works, so in that respect I can't help you. Perhaps if you bought the heater at a store instead of online the store personnel could help you answer that question, or perhpas someone else knows on here.

It is quite possible that a 50 watt heater could over heat that small of a space because the one I recomended- that is similar to my heater- would only work for you if you could get one small enough for your bowl. Mine is heating a 20 gallon tank.

Hope you find the answer to your watt question.
Good luck.

Fantails and Betas

I am composing this as I read, so some points may be moot. You have a one gallon tank. 50 watts is WAY too powerful for that. For a 2-5 gallon tank you want about 7 watts. I would recommend either the Hydor mini (my favorite) http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_heaters_hydor_mini.asp?CartId= or the junior aquatics heater http://www.jraquatics.com/. I have had trouble with the second one overheating, and you will see they both recommend 2 gallons or bigger. I say get a 2.5 gallon tank with the hydor mini.

Also fantails, i thought goldfish were coldwater fish and didn't need a heater? I've never had goldfish, but have always heard that. Is that a myth like the bettas can live in a cup myth?

Hope this helps!!!

Amber

Actually goldfish will need a heater if their water starts getting below 72 degrees. This is mainly because they are very very very! easily affected by parasites and deseases. I find keeping the goldfish at a temperature of 74 to 76 works best to keep them healthy and more active.

Most common parasites and deseases need the lower temperatures to become active or to develop. Just a week ago my goldfish started showing the very first signs of ick and all I had to do was raise the temperature 2 degrees and it went away. Right now I just have my tank set at 72 degress which keeps it about 74.

You seem like a very careful and attentive fish keeper, so I am sure if you decide to get goldfish they would have a very good mommy. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks so much Stampingchick! I've looked at the hydor mini and am already making plans to get him a 2-2.5 gall. Now, one last question: Right now (with his one gall) I give him a 100% water change, could I still do that with the larger size, or would I have to do the turkey baster, and small changes? Thanks again, you guy's rock!

Jenny & Theodore (who's looking forward to a warm bowl! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

Fantails, Thanks for the info and the compliment!!

I have a 2.5 and I do 100% water changes. There should be no problem doing it either way though. However, the reason for not doing 100% WCs in a bigger tank is so you dont disrupt the cycle of the tank. There is some dispute whether a small tank like 5 or smaller can establish a cycle. Hope this helps!!

Amber