Need small heater help

[Betta Mom 2]

Hi, friends -

We just got our first fish - a Betta - he was sort of inherited, and I have set up a 2.5 Mini Bow tank for him. I chose a Tetra Whisper Heater - it is supposed to keep it at a steady 78, which is OK. However, 2 thermometers are telling me it is only 75, so I am going to return it. I think I want about 79.

Unfortunately, the other heaters I have seen are twice as long, and will crowd my 2.5g minibow. The Stealth looks like the best of the lot, and I can "pick" the temp, but it is $30.

I have also heard of adjustable ones with internal thermostats. I am told that after I adjust it, using a thermometer, they will keep the TEMPERATURE constant. As opposed to a constant level of POWER.

Does this sound right, friends?

Along this line, I bought a Slim-Tech, but it rests on the edge but does not let the hood seat.

Another option is to try another Tetra. In this tank, I really appreciate small.

Or, if anyone knows of a good one for a very small tank, since he is OK at 75 for awhile, I have time to order it online.

Thanks ever so much!
Lori - Newbie Betta mom

[CAF]

The stealth while $30, is guaranteed for life, is black so it is not as obtrusive, has an automatic shutoff if taken out of water, is made of plastic so it won't shatter or crack, on and on the list goes. While it is a bit of investment, it is the best one you can currently make

[Nautilus29]

Ive had no luck with the tetra brand heaters. I had one and one day my temp would be at 85 to 90 and the next day it would be at 70. Honestly I would go with the stealth. They are very accurate and you can have them completely underwater, so if you want you could have it lying on its side on the bottom of your tank to hide it.

What kind of thermometer are you using. The ones that stick on the side of your tank and use the color indicators are inaccurate.

I hope this all helps. I dont have a small tank so maybe someone else can give you a brandname for a smaller heater, but stealth are top of the line and you wont be displeased.

[CAF]

The Tetra heaters are nice because they are so compact but as was mentioned they swing ALOT....

I currently have 6 2 1/2g, 2 5g, 1 8g, 1 10g, 1 12g, 1 20g, 2 30g, 1 50g, 3 55g (My tank number fluctuates weekly)

All with stealth heaters.... I have used everything else and they either stuck and cooked my fish, stopped working and froze my fish, or fluctuated so badly they stressed my fish so they died...

[Algenco]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Steath 25 watt $16

[Nautilus29]

Trust us once you go stealth you wont buy any other brand of heater.

[MeganL3985]

I used to keep a Hydor mini heater in my 2.5 (it's a flat heating pad looking heater) it kept my tank at 78 all the time. Its nice,I love it... but i'm using it in my temporary bowl right now. Once I put that betta in the 5 gallon though, i'll put that heater back in the 2.5. I agree the tetra whisper isn't great. It keeps my 2.5 fluctuating between 75-79. I liked it the first 2 days I had it, but when the outdoor/indoor house temps started changing, its just a nuisance.

[Azear]

On my side, I've looked at stealth but they were too pricey at the time I needed one so, I went with an Aquarium system brand... they are cheap, sort-of reliable (nothing compared to other big brand but for 1/3 the price... I don't mind :P) and work fine so... until I can get some money on the side for better equip, I'm using that and works fine... tho, if you're not planning to upgrade later and want something great from day 1, get a stealth... worth it :P

[Betta Mom 2]

THANK YOU ALL - THIS IS SO HELPFUL!

OK - so the Tetra is definitely going.

My thermometers are the $3. red mercury kind. I was told they are accurate because they are mercury. (which I always thought was silver??)

The Stealth sounds excellent, but is there anything smaller?
Thanks for the Big Al's link - I just may use it!

What about the Hydor? Is it controllable? One LFS about an hour from me claims they have a 7.5w Hydor that has an actual temperature control (like the stealth), for $22. I can google it, and see if it is smaller.

[MeganL3985]

I dont know about a temp controled hydor, but the one I had didnt fluctuate hardly at all and it didnt have a temp control. I just monitored it for the first few days off and on throughout the day. Only check it every few days now just out of curiousity.

[Nautilus29]

Im pretty sure its alcohol that is in the red thermometer which is still accurate so you wont have to worry about that.

[Betta Mom 2]

Im pretty sure its alcohol that is in the red thermometer which is still accurate so you wont have to worry about that.
Oh - Thanks!

Actually, the alcohol or mercury may be consistently rising or falling, but who knows if the guage is mounted properly? I actually have 2 in there as a control, and they are different by maybe 1.5 degrees.