Aquarium heater

Question
Hi Lynda,
Hope you are having a wonderful day!  Just a quick question about heating my 5 gallon for my girl betta. Since the temps are dropping at night now,  I measured her water temp. and it is at 72 degrees Farenheit.  That seems a little cold to me but she is very active!  How safe are aquarium heaters?  Do you use them? Is 72* low?  I hear so many opinions, but I trust you and have steadily been following through on your advice!
Thanks so very much!

Answer
Hi Liane,
I always use heaters in my tanks.  When you first put your heater into the water, let the heater stand there for a half an hour before connecting it.  Then bring it up so that it will bring the temperature up one degree.  Stop it when your water has reached 73, bring it up higher tomorrow to 74, and the next day 75.  Watch it, so that it doesn't heat your water too fast.  Once it has reached 75, bring it up to 76 then wait two days, and bring it up to 77, wait another two days, and so on until you reach 80 or 82 degrees.  72 degrees would eventually make her very sick.  Bettas are cold under 80 degree water.  I keep mine in 82 degree water.  We must remember they are tropical fish, and need warmer water to be healthy, and happy.  Thermostats are like anything else, until you reach the right temperature you must watch it so that it doesn't continue raising the temperature of the water.  Once you have the right temperature, it should keep it there.  I have never had any problems with thermostats, but I watch them everyday, because I have heard of horror stories where the thermostat kept bringing the temperature up and the person did not notice this.  It rarely happens, but as a precaution, I check my water everyday.