Introducing a heater to a coldwater tank - what temperature?

[crmpicco]

I am looking to warm up my coldwater tank slightly (due to the cold temperatures in Scotland at this time of the year) and have purchased a Interpet 150W Delta Therm heater.

Currently, the tank temperature sits at 17 degrees celsius. The heater's lowest setting is 20 degrees celsius, however I have been advised that 22 degrees is a safe temperature for my two fish that live in the tank (one 5 year old comet and one 6 month old shubunkin).

The tank is 70ltrs, so, according to the box, the heater is the correct size for the tank capacity.

Can anyone confirm that 20-22 degrees is a safe temperature for my tank? I understand I cannot raise the temperature more than +- 2 degrees celsius at any one time.

Cheers,
Picco

[Dave66]

Picco,
Set the new heater as low as it'll go. After a week, raise it no more than a degree, then another the following week until you hit 22. Temp variations are very hard on fishes, hence the very slow raising of it.

Dave

[crmpicco]

Picco,
Set the new heater as low as it'll go. After a week, raise it no more than a degree, then another the following week until you hit 22. Temp variations are very hard on fishes, hence the very slow raising of it.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the reply - I have set it to 20, which is the lowest it can go.

As you've suggested i'll bring it up to 21 next Monday.

Thanks.

[kilyth]

I keep mine at 22C. My goldie seems very happy and active at that temperature.

[UncleWillie]

In all honesty, 17 C is not that cold at all. It might be cold on your hands when cleaning the tank, but not for a goldfish. I wish I could get my tanks down to 17 in the winter... I am big into simulating what would happen in the natural environment and I think a winter "cool down" period for temperate and coldwater fish is beneficial to their health and increases their longevity.

[labnjab]

Our goldfish are at 63-65F pretty much year round and they are always happy and active. I personally wouldn't worry about a heater