How do you all keep your tanks regulated at same temperature

**Owner_Of_A_Tuff_Bichir** · 07-08-2008, 04:53 PM

Where I live, in any given day during the summer time, my temp readings on my tanks can fluctuate 3 to 6 degrees due to outside temperatures. For example, today’s temperatures, low of 68 to an expected high of 107.

The house air conditioner is set to 78 so the house will never get less than 78 during a hot spell. Am I too worried about water temps on my tanks amd will the constant water temp fluctuating won't cause stress on fishes.

The gold fish tank, I know it supposed to be cold water, but many times it's just as hot as my tropical tanks due to ambient air temp.

When I take into account, the extreme weather all over the world, the fish still survive.

Do you more experienced aquarists ever really worry too much about water temp fluctuating that much? Will putting ice cubes in the tank be bad for my various fishes? What do you do to keep those ideal temperatures for your tank(s)?

John

**Fishalicious** · 07-08-2008, 05:07 PM

Some fluctuation isn't too bad... many goldfish are also kept in ponds and the daytime temp & nighttime temp fluctuate quite a lot but it is a gradual fluctuation..same as in a tank.

If the temp stay up too high for a few days in a row and the water doesn't cool you can add an airstone for oxygen for the fish and use a fan on the surface of the water (or PC ventilators) or the ice cube method..

**NanoTankGuy** · 07-08-2008, 05:22 PM

Check what's the highest temp in your tank during daytime and set your heater to that temp. That way you avoid the fluctuations, no temp dropping. I don't think 3-6 degrees will do anything to them, but, to be honest if you, I'd avoid it all at once. Set your heater to the highest temp.

**Lady Hobbs** · 07-08-2008, 06:05 PM

Last summer before I broke down and bought a window air unit, my tanks would get very warm, as well. I would freeze 2 liter pop bottles and float them in the tank (lasts much longer than ice cubes) and turn the fans on the tanks.

Now I just don't worry about it. The temp climbs slowly, not all at once and drops back off slowly and they can take those fluctuations. What they can't take is rapid raising of temps.

**ladyoutlaw50** · 07-08-2008, 06:12 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about a few degree change in temp. Mine fluctuate a few degrees each day!! My lights are also off during the day to help keep the temp from jumping too high. I personally feel a couple of degrees up during the day and then back down at night is natural.
Of course if it rises or drops very quickly - that is not a good thing -- I check the temps every so often during the day when I walk by and such just to make sure nothing drastic is going on!!
I don't know much about goldfish tho!

**Evil Slimy** · 07-08-2008, 10:23 PM

My 55 gallon is in my garage in California and at night my temperature bottoms at 78f (setting on the heaters), but on very hot days (106+) goes as high as 86f.
As others mentioned, as long as the temperature fluctuations are slow and gradual and the water is well oxygenated, they seem to have no negative effect on the fish. After all I would expect similar variations in nature between night/day or sun/rain, etc...

**Billythefish** · 07-08-2008, 11:58 PM

I dont often have truble with temp but when i do i use a cool box with ice packs in the bottom and then put the air pump in the box with the lid on, with this setup i use one of them ajusterble air flow things to let the cold air go to a air stone slowly, it works a treat and if you get the flow just right the temp can be kept at a normal level all day.

**smcurry83** · 07-09-2008, 01:44 AM

All year long, summer and winter, I keep thermostat in the house on 74. With my tank heater set on 80, I never see more than a 1 degree fluctuation.

I agree with who ever suggested to set the tank heater at the highest temperature that your house gets too. (as long as it's not such a high temp that it's going to hurt your fish)

**Owner_Of_A_Tuff_Bichir** · 07-09-2008, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by NanoTankGuy

Check what's the highest temp in your tank during daytime and set your heater to that temp. That way you avoid the fluctuations, no temp dropping. I don't think 3-6 degrees will do anything to them, but, to be honest if you, I'd avoid it all at once. Set your heater to the highest temp.

See I don't want to see the temps go up to 85+. I would like to see the water temp at a steady78 80, not the 84 that I saw last weekend,though I know the Bichir will tolerate up to 89.

I'm just waiting for a day that we're away and the temps hit the 110 like they did last july for 2 weeks and the air couldn't keep up with the heat.

**Mvjnz** · 07-09-2008, 02:13 AM

It's perfectly natural for the temp to fluctuate 2-3 degrees between day and night. It's what happens in lakes and rivers where the fish come from. Obviously they are going to be warmer when the sun as been shining on the river/lake all day, especially since this is tropical areas we are talking about. I wouldn't worry about it.