2 New Tanks - Heating/Cooling questions

[AquaBear]

Hello everybody....

Taking the plunge in a big way, setting up 2 new tanks (1 [acronym:983870d38f="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:983870d38f], 1 [acronym:983870d38f="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:983870d38f]) at the same time. Today is first 36 hours of setup and right off the bat, I am running into a temp issue with my [acronym:983870d38f="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:983870d38f] (16g). It's upstairs in my bedroom, and with the A/C (central) on full, the coolest I got the tank was 78F...my heater hasn't kicked on yet. Is this too high or still within acceptable levels? And if the summer gets too warm, is a 2-degree increase (to 80) going to cook my fish?

Anyone ever had to deal with a room that was too warm? This is only going to be a concern for the summer...the rest of the year, it's more temperate. I can't add another A/C. Suggestions? Do I need a chiller for a 16g? Could I build a contraption myself that would circulate small amounts of tank water through a separate mechanical cooling device that would give me better temp control? My [acronym:983870d38f="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:983870d38f] tank will be downstairs and I won't have this issue because it's cooler there.

Oh, and while I'm at it, anyone got a solid recommendation on a good combination of fish for a 16-gallon bowfront? I know it's a little small compared to some of your tanks, but it has to be small to be light enough to go in my bedroom. Thanks much.

AquaBear

[Maillis]

80 is fine, I keep my tanks at about 79-80 all the time.

[AquaBear]

Thanks. The key to it, though, is to keep it fairly steady, right? Once they acclimate (sp), they can handle it if it's constant? I read six books before I bought the first fish net, and I seem to recall that was critical.

I appreciate your response very much.

--AquaBear

[Menagerie]

[center:405ec64ed6] Welcome to AA, AquaBear! [/center:405ec64ed6]
Sounds like you are on your way to a great tank by asking questions and reading BEFORE hand--kudos to you! 80 is a fine temp for tropical fish. If you want goldfish, then there will be problems. If you find that there is more than a 2 degree fluctuation in temp, try aiming a fan over the top of the tank.
As for as fish suggestions, there are two threads in the General Discussion Forum dealing with 10 gals right now. Look through them and see what you think. Do you have any ideas for fish you want to keep?
Personally, I have 6 tanks ranging from 10 [acronym:405ec64ed6="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:405ec64ed6] to 80. In one 10 [acronym:405ec64ed6="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:405ec64ed6] hex, I have 4 Badis badis and pigmy cats. I really like that tank! In another 10 [acronym:405ec64ed6="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:405ec64ed6], I have 4 shell dwelling cichlids. There are so many options. Look around in people's galleries, on other threads and let us know what strikes your fancy

[AquaBear]

Hey there: Thanks for the tip (I am SO GLAD I found this forum...this is great!). I'm partial to angels because they're so graceful, but don't want to jeopardize their health by putting them in too-small of a tank. I'm mostly interested in lively fish that are small enough I could keep a good quantity of them without jeopardizing their health. I've already got a good idea what I'm putting in the [acronym:5ceef5af71="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:5ceef5af71] tank, but thought doing the smaller [acronym:5ceef5af71="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:5ceef5af71] first might help me avoid a more costly disaster on the main [acronym:5ceef5af71="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:5ceef5af71] tank.

I just found this site this evening, so I'll check out that one you recommended, and then browse the site more later to see what other topics are out here. Wow, six tanks...I'll bet that would be cool, but I don't see it happening here, my place is too small and not enough power outlets. WHAT A GREAT HOBBY!

--Aquabear

[AquaBear]

By the way, if any of you check back....the other day, I ran the [acronym:4a9e212550="Activated Carbon"]AC[/acronym:4a9e212550] starting in the morning and the tank didn't get above 76, so I think doing that and your much-appreciated advice will get this tank going just fine. Thanks so much.

--Aquabear

[Menagerie]

Did you decide on the [acronym:a5fe828378="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:a5fe828378] fish yet?

[AquaBear]

Yes, actually I think I have. I started w/2 Platys, but they seemed lonely, so I added 2 Zebra Danios (someone in another thread suggested them, and they ARE lively!). But I think I need to pause there until the tank cycles, don't you?

I want to add 4 more Zebras, 4 Harlequins, 4 Cardinal Tetras, 4 Honey Gouramis and 1 Betta. Based on the surface-area and gallon-age of my tank, I can support 24" of fish, and that comes out to like 24.5". I'll have a total of 21 fish, they're all small and peaceful, so they should mesh together well, shouldn't they? Or is the Betta a problem? I know you can't put 2 males together, but just one in a community tank should be fine? They are beautiful fish, plus at the pet store, they keep them in those tiny little globes, just waiting for a home.

Does that sound like a good mix? I will totally respect any opinion you have. Oh, and as follow-up to the temperature thing...this morning, the tank was down to 72. The heater crapped out...luckily I had a spare.

--AquaBear

[Endgame319]

The only problem I see with your stocking list is the gouramis. Are you talking about the yellow-gold color morph of the dwarf gourami or the gold color morph of the blue gourami. Both fish could cause problems. Male D-gouramis are known to be very hostile towards other labrynth fish. And it such a small tank It would be a bad idea. And the gold-blue gouramis grow up to 6", which is too big for a 16g. The betta might or might not work. Different bettas have different personalities, he could totally ignore his tankmates, or be really ticked off with having other labryinth fish in the tank. If you are getting one, make sure you have a back-up plan if it doesn't work.

What kind of filtration do you have? You'll be heavily stocked with the stocking list you provided so you'll need lots of aeration and filtration.

[AquaBear]

Okay, then I'll replace the gouramis with some different tetras (I like tetras). As for the Betta, what if I got a female who was used to a community tank? I notice that most of the Bettas' fins look a little rough. Could that be from fighting or disease? Do they grow back if the fish is healthy?

I have a 105 [acronym:e501c7cc04="Gallons per hour"]gph[/acronym:e501c7cc04] cartridge filter, 2 single-unit airstones and a 4-inch airstone. I would hope that's plenty of oxygen, but of course I'm still new at this.

--AquaBear