New Member

Posts: 4
From:Boston
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-11-2004 11:33 AM         

---

Hi
I got betta fish and a bowl. I've got a Junior small aquarium Heater. It is written on it that "Never place hands or objects in your aquarium while the heater is plugged in.
Does it mean that I should remove my fish any time I want to hit a bowl or I just can turn it on/off when needed?

Thanks

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 58
From:Northern California
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-11-2004 12:58 PM         

---

what kind of heater is it?
i dont think a betta needs heated water
and if it does you might want to get a regular water heater thats fish friendly

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 501
From:Missouri
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-11-2004 01:00 PM         

---

I've never seen that warning on heaters before. If you had to remove the fish anytime you wanted to heat the water, it would pretty much defeat the purpose of having a heater. I'm really not sure what to tell you. If it were me, I would just try it with the fish in the bowl and keep a close eye out for unusual behavior/signs of stress. But at the same time, I'd hate to be responsible if something bad did happen. Maybe someone who's actually used that type of heater can give you a definitive answer.

-Chelle

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 158
From:Marysville, CA
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 03-11-2004 01:50 PM         

---

It could just be a warning against damage to yourself or decorations and not necessarily fish. I accidentally touched my heater the other day when it was on and almost got a burn. But I've never seen that kind of warning either. I'd return the heater and pick up a different one.

IP: Logged

New Member

Posts: 4
From:Boston
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-11-2004 02:06 PM         

---

Thanks a lot guys for advises. I am worried that my room is usually around 50 -60 but it is recommended to keep betta fish more than 72 degrees so that's why I got a small bowl heater
Finally found a site about heater I am talking about:
http://www.jraquatics.com/

these are instructions: http://www.jraquatics.com/instructions.htm

I'll e-mail them and ask - see what they will answer

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 104
From:Austin, TX
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-11-2004 06:59 PM         

---

It's probably for liability reasons to keep the manufacturer from getting sued if you get shocked by a defective/broken unit. The same reason McDonalds puts a "caution: coffee is very hot" warning on their coffee cups. Also, if you put your hand/arm in a small bowl, the displacement could cause the surface of the water to rise and completely cover the heater/cord interface and risk a short and a shock. I wouldn't worry though. Just unplug and remove the heater if you need to put your hand in the tank for any reason. Your betta should be fine and will appreciate the warmer water.

IP: Logged

Moderator

Posts: 199
From:El Paso, Texas
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 03-11-2004 08:40 PM         

---

Sv,
Your heater instructions are no different from any other heater on the market. All aquarium heater instructions will tell you the same thing. If there is a wire that has been pulled out of insulation (plastic) then you could get shocked. We are grounded on the floor and can be very good conductors of electricity. Your fish are in the water, and are not.
The heater itself is different because it has no thermostat. Without a thermostat, this heater could possibly heat the water to unbelievable amounts. The instructions state that if the temperature exceeds 82F, unplug the heater. Be very careful with this heater as it could possibly kill your fish if you are not around.
Take care!

IP: Logged

New Member

Posts: 4
From:Boston
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-12-2004 07:15 AM         

---

Thanks.
Now I am feeling releived that I wouldn't boil my fish while heating water .
I bought a thermometr also to see the temperature so I wouldn't overheat.
I didn't know that fish require that much care.
Thanks guys - I am glad I found this site.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 65
From:WBL
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-12-2004 02:22 PM         

---

betas really don't need a heater. you should be ok to remove the heater. in nature betas live in little puddles...hence the lack of space needed for a beta to be happy. good luck. oh and buy the way, i had a small heater once and it actually malfunctioned and killed my fishy.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 104
From:Austin, TX
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-12-2004 06:21 PM         

---

Bettas dont need a heater if the ambient temperature of the room they are in is over 70 degrees. Under that and a heater is recommended.

IP: Logged

Member

Posts: 501
From:Missouri
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 03-12-2004 10:31 PM         

---

Although bettas can survive at lower temperatures, they are tropical fish and do best at around 78*.

-Chelle

IP: Logged

New Member

Posts: 4
From:Boston
Registered: Mar 2004

posted 03-20-2004 10:52 AM         

---

temperatura in my room around 58 so I think it's low for my fish.
I turn on heater and he always hangs out around it as it is warm and also I put outside heater near aquarium so he seems happy now.

Thanks guys

IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)