Temperature fluctuations

[bt] · 03-31-2005, 01:04 PM

My tank starts at about 72F on colder mornings and on hot evenings (when the heating's been on or one of us has been working a while in the study), it gets up to 80F.

When I do water changes I make sure I get my new water to the same temp and the tank, but is it stressful for my fish when it keeps peaking at 80F each night?

(they're all Neon Tetra and Harlequin Rasbora, so like it around 76F)

Fish33 · 03-31-2005, 01:47 PM

I would say yes, and stress can make them more susceptible to disease. I think the temp. is not supposed to fluctuate more than 2-3 degrees in 24 hours. Do you have a heater on the tank? If not, it might be a good idea, it should keep things pretty constant once you get it tweaked!!! I've seen them very cheap on ebay an www.bigalsonline.com

**Damon** · 03-31-2005, 02:04 PM

With a tank that size, it would be wise to invest in 2 heaters vs one big one.

**Fishfirst** · 03-31-2005, 03:03 PM

2 heaters for a 10 gallon??? I would stick with one, but cycle the tank better, such as getting a power head to "mix" the water better. Is your tank by a window? Sunlight can also cause temp fluxs.

Lexus · 03-31-2005, 03:06 PM

It also helps to have the heater in the middle of the tank and not on one side

Thunderkiss · 03-31-2005, 03:07 PM

Get a heater. Should the temp continue to fluctuate, whatever the high it gets to is, raise your heater temp to that til whatever is causing the temp to jump goes away.

Ron the handyman · 03-31-2005, 06:05 PM

Mine does all the time. Most of my tanks have no heaters and in the winter the temp in the house at night is 65. Look at it this way you see fish in the lake, you throw food on the surface of the water, the fish comes to the suffice to get the food.
The temp from three foot down is colder than the water at the surface is more that 2-3 Degree. so if the water changes over eight hours six Degree. nothing to worry about. You change the water and the water is colder than 2-3 degrees then worry.

R.

fishfreaks · 03-31-2005, 06:26 PM

i also suggest investing in a heater, it will be much less stressful for your fish with the fluxuating temps.

Mr Aquarium · 04-01-2005, 12:28 AM

Big temp changes like that will stress your fish and they will end up with Ick allot of the times,
Also I want to ask, Why would working in the study cause the temp to go up in the tank?

What I would do, Set you heater so the tank temp stays around 78*_80*, it won;t hurt the fish and they should like that allot, This will keep the temp fluxuations down to a minimum and be safer for the fishses.

[bt] · 04-01-2005, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron the handyman @ Fri Apr 01, 2005 1:05 am

Mine does all the time. Most of my tanks have no heaters and in the winter the temp in the house at night is 65. Look at it this way you see fish in the lake, you throw food on the surface of the water, the fish comes to the suffice to get the food.
The temp from three foot down is colder than the water at the surface is more that 2-3 Degree. so if the water changes over eight hours six Degree. nothing to worry about. You change the water and the water is colder than 2-3 degrees then worry.

I tend to agree with that theory - especially so when it comes to marine fish (mackerell go from deep to jumping out of the water in the middle of the summer).
However, as my fish are from equatorial streams (Amazon and SE Asia), I imagine they'd like a more constant heat.

I don't see how a heater is going to fix the fact that the temp gets too high, but it's worth thinking about to keep it stable when the room temperature drops (seen some 50watt ones for about $15 on eBay).
More often than not it's too high though.

**Fishfirst** · 04-01-2005, 11:38 AM

80 degrees isn't to high... as long as it doesn't exceed 86 the fish will be fine, so I'd set your heater at 78 - 80 and let that be the constant temp of the tank.

Lexus · 04-01-2005, 11:42 AM

The point of the heater is to have a constant temp during the day, around 80 so when it does fluctuate it isnt such a huge change.

**Fishfirst** · 04-01-2005, 11:52 AM

fluxs should not be more than 2-3 degrees during a 24 hour period as stated so that is why a heater allows you to keep that constant temp.

Thunderkiss · 04-01-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Mine does all the time. Most of my tanks have no heaters and in the winter the temp in the house at night is 65. Look at it this way you see fish in the lake, you throw food on the surface of the water, the fish comes to the suffice to get the food.
The temp from three foot down is colder than the water at the surface is more that 2-3 Degree. so if the water changes over eight hours six Degree. nothing to worry about. You change the water and the water is colder than 2-3 degrees then worry.

R.

Yes, but remember, those fish are in a lake, with MILLIONS of gallons of pure clean water, food EVERYWHERE and all parameters are ideal.
In an aquarium, there are more fish per cubic inch ratio than a lake, with water parameters that will fluctuate FAR beyond anything they will ever experience in the wild.
3-4 degrees for a few seonds is a far different scenario than 5-10 degrees for hours at a time.

**Fishfirst** · 04-01-2005, 04:31 PM

Also remember that in a lake, and or oceans, conditions do not fluctuate quickly. And some situations (when macarel go to the surface) are temperary, which is why fish often like it when you put slightly cooler than normal water in their tank during a water change.

Fish33 · 04-01-2005, 07:30 PM

Also, the home aquarium is not a lake ocean, etc. The fish in the wild have the option of moving when the temp. is not to their liking, in the tank, they are stuck!! The fluctualtions will stress them...Period. It can lead to other problems that can be easily avoided. I think my LFS keep their tanks at 82 and they are always very healthy. I would be more worried about the low temps. and the daily fluctuations

03-31-2005, 01:04 PM	#1
[bt] Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dorset, UK Posts: 45	Temperature fluctuations My tank starts at about 72F on colder mornings and on hot evenings (when the heating's been on or one of us has been working a while in the study), it gets up to 80F. When I do water changes I make sure I get my new water to the same temp and the tank, but is it stressful for my fish when it keeps peaking at 80F each night? (they're all Neon Tetra and Harlequin Rasbora, so like it around 76F)

03-31-2005, 01:47 PM	#2
Fish33 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 35	Re: Temperature fluctuations I would say yes, and stress can make them more susceptible to disease. I think the temp. is not supposed to fluctuate more than 2-3 degrees in 24 hours. Do you have a heater on the tank? If not, it might be a good idea, it should keep things pretty constant once you get it tweaked!!! I've seen them very cheap on ebay an www.bigalsonline.com

03-31-2005, 02:04 PM	#3
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Re: Temperature fluctuations With a tank that size, it would be wise to invest in 2 heaters vs one big one. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

03-31-2005, 03:03 PM	#4
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,544	2 heaters for a 10 gallon??? I would stick with one, but cycle the tank better, such as getting a power head to "mix" the water better. Is your tank by a window? Sunlight can also cause temp fluxs. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

03-31-2005, 03:06 PM	#5
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,406	Re: Temperature fluctuations It also helps to have the heater in the middle of the tank and not on one side __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 5 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 9 Neon Tetras 13 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 2 Snails

Members currently in the Chat:2
	Users In Chat Room: Ichthius, mudskipper26 Come On In!

03-31-2005, 03:07 PM	#6
Thunderkiss Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 376	Re: Temperature fluctuations Get a heater. Should the temp continue to fluctuate, whatever the high it gets to is, raise your heater temp to that til whatever is causing the temp to jump goes away.

03-31-2005, 06:05 PM	#7
Ron the handyman Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lilburn Ga Age: 44 Posts: 274	Re: Temperature fluctuations Mine does all the time. Most of my tanks have no heaters and in the winter the temp in the house at night is 65. Look at it this way you see fish in the lake, you throw food on the surface of the water, the fish comes to the suffice to get the food. The temp from three foot down is colder than the water at the surface is more that 2-3 Degree. so if the water changes over eight hours six Degree. nothing to worry about. You change the water and the water is colder than 2-3 degrees then worry. R. __________________ Atlanta Area Aquarium Association 2004/08 Treasurer 2 125's, 4 20's , 3 75's , 4 10's, 2 55's, 1 30 , 1 40, 1 75 with a 125's foot print but only 12 in. high Fish: Oscars, Jags, jack Dempsey's, Flower horn, Dwarf Jewels, Apistogramma Panduro, Runny nose tetras, Lemon tetras,White clouds, albino bristlenose pleco, common pleco's, Aulonocara German red

03-31-2005, 06:26 PM	#8
fishfreaks M&F Couple Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: PA Age: 21 Posts: 4,303	Re: Temperature fluctuations i also suggest investing in a heater, it will be much less stressful for your fish with the fluxuating temps. __________________ VOTE FOR FISH FORUMS

04-01-2005, 12:28 AM	#9
Mr Aquarium Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Iowa Age: 43 Posts: 499	Big temp changes like that will stress your fish and they will end up with Ick allot of the times, Also I want to ask, Why would working in the study cause the temp to go up in the tank? What I would do, Set you heater so the tank temp stays around 78_80, it won;t hurt the fish and they should like that allot, This will keep the temp fluxuations down to a minimum and be safer for the fishses.

04-01-2005, 11:38 AM	#11
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,544	80 degrees isn't to high... as long as it doesn't exceed 86 the fish will be fine, so I'd set your heater at 78 - 80 and let that be the constant temp of the tank. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

04-01-2005, 11:42 AM	#12
Lexus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 22 Posts: 2,406	Re: Temperature fluctuations The point of the heater is to have a constant temp during the day, around 80 so when it does fluctuate it isnt such a huge change. __________________ 55 Gallon 2 Blood Parrots 2 Angelfish 1 Fantail Goldfish 46 Gallon 1 Albino Bristlenose 2 Angelfish 4 African Dwarf Frogs 4 Black Skirt Tetras 5 Zebra Danios 8 Tiger Barbs 9 Neon Tetras 13 Assorted Corys 29 Gallon 8 Daffodil Cichlids & fry 1 Electric Blue Crayfish 10 Gallon 2 Snails

04-01-2005, 11:52 AM	#13
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,544	fluxs should not be more than 2-3 degrees during a 24 hour period as stated so that is why a heater allows you to keep that constant temp. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

04-01-2005, 04:31 PM	#15
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,544	Also remember that in a lake, and or oceans, conditions do not fluctuate quickly. And some situations (when macarel go to the surface) are temperary, which is why fish often like it when you put slightly cooler than normal water in their tank during a water change. __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

04-01-2005, 07:30 PM	#16
Fish33 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 35	Re: Temperature fluctuations Also, the home aquarium is not a lake ocean, etc. The fish in the wild have the option of moving when the temp. is not to their liking, in the tank, they are stuck!! The fluctualtions will stress them...Period. It can lead to other problems that can be easily avoided. I think my LFS keep their tanks at 82 and they are always very healthy. I would be more worried about the low temps. and the daily fluctuations

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Funny, informative, or just plain sad?	TheOldSalt	FYI (For Your Info)	17	07-29-2007 04:33 PM
Temperature	SA_Mountaineer	General Freshwater	2	01-10-2006 12:37 AM
Tank temperature	fish_doc	FYI (For Your Info)	0	09-18-2005 08:33 PM
Max's journal	maxpayne_lhp	User Journals	9	07-11-2005 12:45 AM
Temperature, thermometers, and heaters	UgLy_eLf	General Freshwater	6	03-09-2005 07:57 PM