Aquarium temperature unstable.

[ilovenickle]

I recently got my first aquarium. It is a ten gallon. I have had it for about two weeks, and I have plants and three zebra danios in there. I just got the danios yesterday. I figured I didn't need a heater/cooler because my water temperature is room temperature, 75 degrees. At night, however, the temperature increases to 80 degrees. In the winter, I know it will get cooler at night.

What can I do to stabilize this temperature? Buy a heater? A cooler?


Thanks in advance.

[Richalds]

It is HIGHLY recommended to buy a heater. It'll keep the water at a constant and stable 76f - even a 1 degree change can stress fish.

A 10 gallon heater would be pretty cheap too, no excuse not to buy one.

Good luck!

[William]

I might add that coolers are really expensive and not needed for most common fish (common climats).

[ilovenickle]

Thanks. I wanted to buy a heater. There was a ten gallon heater for only five dollars at Superpetz. Mom said it would make my water too hot, but I thought it would keep my water at a constant 75. I guess I'll get one. Thank you very much! I'm seventeen years old, and very, very excited to have an aquarium! I've been asking my mom forever.

[William]

Most heaters have regulators that help you keep the water at a certain temp. They only heat the water if it is colder than said temp and turn themself of as the temp raises.