Heater broke

[punkhazard]

Hey so I woke up this morning and my heater broke. Luckily I am able to work from home so I can get a new one ASAP when Petco opens in 20 minutes. Currently my fish are at 64F when the temperature range is normally 76F or so. Once I get my heater what is the best way to acclimate them back to their normal temperature?

Also will there be any harmful effects? I assume that the heater stopped working yesterday or sometime last night so theyve been in room temperature for about a half day now, anything else I can do to make it easier for them?

Thanks

[Stlouisfish]

Normally, when people are advised to increase their tank temp (like when treating an illness), they are told to increase it little by little - in your case, since your temp has fallen that much, it might help to start adding warmer water in small water changes to gradually bring up the temp - that way the heater doesn't have to work so hard to get the tank where it needs to be.

Others might have different advice but that's what I'd dol

[Slaphppy7]

+1 to the above ^^

[punkhazard]

how fast should i raise the temperature? is 2 degrees F an hour too fast?

[Stlouisfish]

That sounds pretty reasonable - the main goal is not shocking the fish.

I would make note of the new water temp to see how it compares to what's in the tank - idk how large your tank is but I would maybe change 25% at a time and see how much the temp goes up after the new water has a chance to mix.

[punkhazard]

1 more question. Im at petco. What watt heater should I get for a 20g glass. There is aqueon 100watt 200 and 300. The lady said to get tue 100w but is more better? I was thinking the 200watt wanted your guys opinions

[Slaphppy7]

I have a 50w in my 10g, I would think 100w would be plenty for a 20g...what brand?

[punkhazard]

aqueon, i bought the 200w it was the same cost as the 100w. Slowly raising temp now. thanks for the help

[Slaphppy7]

Good deal, nice getting it for the same $

[gronlaura]

Normally, when people are advised to increase their tank temp (like when treating an illness), they are told to increase it little by little - in your case, since your temp has fallen that much, it might help to start adding warmer water in small water changes to gradually bring up the temp - that way the heater doesn't have to work so hard to get the tank where it needs to be.

Others might have different advice but that's what I'd dol

+1. This is a really good idea.