Difference between revisions of "Keep a Betta's Water Warm"
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==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Maintaining the Temperature of the Tank=== | ===Maintaining the Temperature of the Tank=== | ||
| − | #Install a heater in the [[Set Up a Betta Tank|tank]]. You must provide warm water to maintain the health of your betta fish. To do this, you will need to get a heater for your aquarium. The type of heater you need will vary, depending on how large your aquarium is. The two main types of heaters should be available at your local pet supply store.<ref>http://velvetdragon.com/bettas/caresheet.html</ref> | + | #Install a heater in the [[Set Up a Betta Tank|tank]]. You must provide warm water to maintain the health of your betta fish. To do this, you will need to get a heater for your aquarium. The type of heater you need will vary, depending on how large your aquarium is. The two main types of heaters should be available at your local pet supply store.<ref name="rf1">http://velvetdragon.com/bettas/caresheet.html</ref> |
#*Tanks larger than 2.5 gallons will need a submersible aquarium heater. | #*Tanks larger than 2.5 gallons will need a submersible aquarium heater. | ||
#*For tanks between 2.5 and 5 gallons, you will need a 25 watt power rating. For 10 gallon tanks, purchase a 50 watt heater. | #*For tanks between 2.5 and 5 gallons, you will need a 25 watt power rating. For 10 gallon tanks, purchase a 50 watt heater. | ||
#*Tanks that are smaller than 2.5 gallons can use submersible 7.5 watt heater pads. These pads don't regulate temperature, so you will need to monitor the temperature of the tank often. | #*Tanks that are smaller than 2.5 gallons can use submersible 7.5 watt heater pads. These pads don't regulate temperature, so you will need to monitor the temperature of the tank often. | ||
#*Lamps are not the best choice for heating as betta fish do not like bright lighting. | #*Lamps are not the best choice for heating as betta fish do not like bright lighting. | ||
| − | #Add a thermometer to the tank. The easiest way to keep an eye on the temperature in your betta's aquarium is to install a thermometer. You will need a thermometer that is designed to be submerged into the tank water. Once your thermometer is installed you can easily check to make sure your betta is in an ideal environment.<ref>http://www.thatpetplace.com/betta-article</ref> | + | #Add a thermometer to the tank. The easiest way to keep an eye on the temperature in your betta's aquarium is to install a thermometer. You will need a thermometer that is designed to be submerged into the tank water. Once your thermometer is installed you can easily check to make sure your betta is in an ideal environment.<ref name="rf2">http://www.thatpetplace.com/betta-article</ref> |
#*Temperatures need to be maintained at 76 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. | #*Temperatures need to be maintained at 76 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 24 to 26 degrees Celsius. | ||
#*Place the thermometer in a place that you can easily read it. | #*Place the thermometer in a place that you can easily read it. | ||
#*Thermometers that stick on the side of the aquarium are often not accurate enough to use. | #*Thermometers that stick on the side of the aquarium are often not accurate enough to use. | ||
| − | #Place the tank in a good location. Consider where the best place in your house might be for your aquarium. Look for areas that are more stable in terms of temperature, naturally helping to maintain the temperature in your tank.<ref | + | #Place the tank in a good location. Consider where the best place in your house might be for your aquarium. Look for areas that are more stable in terms of temperature, naturally helping to maintain the temperature in your tank.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#*Avoid placing the tank next to any drafty windows or cool areas in your house. | #*Avoid placing the tank next to any drafty windows or cool areas in your house. | ||
#*Don't put the aquarium next to a heat source. | #*Don't put the aquarium next to a heat source. | ||
===Providing the Additional Care=== | ===Providing the Additional Care=== | ||
| − | #Maintain the quality of your tank water. Beyond monitoring the temperature in your betta's aquarium, you will need to maintain other aspects of the water as well. Keep up with the following characteristics of the water in your betta's tank to help keep it healthy:<ref | + | #Maintain the quality of your tank water. Beyond monitoring the temperature in your betta's aquarium, you will need to maintain other aspects of the water as well. Keep up with the following characteristics of the water in your betta's tank to help keep it healthy:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*pH level can be monitored with pH strips. These can be bought at most pet stores that sell aquariums and fish. Keep tank water neutral, with a pH of 7. | #*pH level can be monitored with pH strips. These can be bought at most pet stores that sell aquariums and fish. Keep tank water neutral, with a pH of 7. | ||
#*Tank water must be clean and cannot contain any chlorine. Your pet store may have dechlorination tablets available. | #*Tank water must be clean and cannot contain any chlorine. Your pet store may have dechlorination tablets available. | ||
#*If possible, let your tank water sit for 24 hours before adding it to the aquarium. This allows for gases that could potentially harm your fish to be fully released. | #*If possible, let your tank water sit for 24 hours before adding it to the aquarium. This allows for gases that could potentially harm your fish to be fully released. | ||
| − | #Clean the [[Take Care of a Betta Fish|aquarium]]. Regular cleaning of your betta's aquarium is a mandatory part of properly caring for your fish. How often you clean the aquarium will depend on how large your tank is.<ref | + | #Clean the [[Take Care of a Betta Fish|aquarium]]. Regular cleaning of your betta's aquarium is a mandatory part of properly caring for your fish. How often you clean the aquarium will depend on how large your tank is.<ref name="rf1" /><ref name="rf3">http://fishbowlguide.com/betta-fish-care.htm</ref> |
#*1 gallon tanks need to be cleaned every 3 days, 2.5 gallon tanks every 5 days, and 5 gallon tanks every 7 days. | #*1 gallon tanks need to be cleaned every 3 days, 2.5 gallon tanks every 5 days, and 5 gallon tanks every 7 days. | ||
#*Take note of the tanks temperature. You will need to match the new water to this temperature. | #*Take note of the tanks temperature. You will need to match the new water to this temperature. | ||
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#*Acclimate your fish to the bowl. Place the container with your fish in the aquarium and over the course of five minutes, add the new tank water to the container water | #*Acclimate your fish to the bowl. Place the container with your fish in the aquarium and over the course of five minutes, add the new tank water to the container water | ||
#*After your fish has acclimated, you can release it into the tank. | #*After your fish has acclimated, you can release it into the tank. | ||
| − | #Monitor your [[Tell if a Betta Fish Is Sick|betta's health]]. In addition to keeping track of the temperature in your fishes' aquarium, you will need to watch for signs of illness. These signs of illness can inform you if anything in your betta's tank needs attention. Look for some of the following signs of common illnesses in betta fish:<ref>http://fishbowlguide.com/betta-fish-disease.htm</ref> | + | #Monitor your [[Tell if a Betta Fish Is Sick|betta's health]]. In addition to keeping track of the temperature in your fishes' aquarium, you will need to watch for signs of illness. These signs of illness can inform you if anything in your betta's tank needs attention. Look for some of the following signs of common illnesses in betta fish:<ref name="rf4">http://fishbowlguide.com/betta-fish-disease.htm</ref> |
#*Fin rot will appear as damaged, frayed, or sickly looking fins and is caused by unclean water in the tank. Clean the tank and replace with clean water to help with fin rot. | #*Fin rot will appear as damaged, frayed, or sickly looking fins and is caused by unclean water in the tank. Clean the tank and replace with clean water to help with fin rot. | ||
#*Swim bladder disorder is indicated by any apparent difficulties your betta has swimming, including sinking, swimming sideways, or bobbing on the surface. This is usually caused by constipation but may also be caused by infection, parasite, or injury. | #*Swim bladder disorder is indicated by any apparent difficulties your betta has swimming, including sinking, swimming sideways, or bobbing on the surface. This is usually caused by constipation but may also be caused by infection, parasite, or injury. | ||
