General Care Discussion :: Should I get a water heater?

[newresmama]

My male res, Biscuit, is in about 25 gallons of water. He swims around all the time, but the people at the shop that I go to for supplies keep trying to push a heater on me. Water temp 76-78 basking 84 room temp about 74. I thought the water temp was fine, but being new, started to doubt myself. Any advise?

[steve]

What are you using to measure the temps?

[newresmama]

I use a infrared to measure basking and a digital thermometer for water

[steve]

At his size, that water temp is fine if it can be maintained consistently. If his tank water is being warmed by his basking light, I would check to see how cold it becomes. Some of us keep heaters around during water changes or whenever cold weather strikes.