pitt420dude
Aquarium Advice Addict
I can't really tell for sure, but over the weekend I decided to get that temp up just in case. I know that loaches are prone to get it, and that they usually get hit first. By accident, I raised the temp. way too fast (8 degrees in 12-18 hours). The temp was set at 80, and I got it up to 88 sometime b/w 12 and 18 hrs later. Of course increased aeration has been added.
Anyway at night, I turn my apt's thermostat down to 50 (from 60) and I added another heater to help keep up. I was worried about the temp climbing higher (since it was still SLOWLY rising very slightly) so I turned the temp on the small heater to click off at the current tank temp, and turned the big heater down a degree or two. In theory, the larger heater should have stopped increasing the temp and the smaller one should have kept it right where it was at. Well I think turning the large heater down (ONLY a degree or two) coupled with shutting the one 65w light off, coupled with the temp in my apt dropping by 10degrees caused my water to cool off to 84. I know for a fact that there is enough power w/ the 2 heaters to keep the tank temp steady, I just need to find the right settings to do it.
So over 2.5 days, my temp went from 80, to 88 (too fast), then back down to 84 (at a pace not faster than 2deg/hour). Before I left for work this morning I cranked the large heater back up 2 deg to where it was at when it was holding at 88 or possibly SLOWLy rising towards 89. The small heater was on steadily and I didn't adjust it since it should still be set at 88.
All fish are acting fine, none are gasping for air, no others show signs of ich. All have good appetites. I couldn't tell you what the loaches look like b/c they rarely come out of their "tubes".
Advice? Tips for keeping a constant temp? Anything to watch/look out for besides more temp swings...lol?
Anyway at night, I turn my apt's thermostat down to 50 (from 60) and I added another heater to help keep up. I was worried about the temp climbing higher (since it was still SLOWLY rising very slightly) so I turned the temp on the small heater to click off at the current tank temp, and turned the big heater down a degree or two. In theory, the larger heater should have stopped increasing the temp and the smaller one should have kept it right where it was at. Well I think turning the large heater down (ONLY a degree or two) coupled with shutting the one 65w light off, coupled with the temp in my apt dropping by 10degrees caused my water to cool off to 84. I know for a fact that there is enough power w/ the 2 heaters to keep the tank temp steady, I just need to find the right settings to do it.
So over 2.5 days, my temp went from 80, to 88 (too fast), then back down to 84 (at a pace not faster than 2deg/hour). Before I left for work this morning I cranked the large heater back up 2 deg to where it was at when it was holding at 88 or possibly SLOWLy rising towards 89. The small heater was on steadily and I didn't adjust it since it should still be set at 88.
All fish are acting fine, none are gasping for air, no others show signs of ich. All have good appetites. I couldn't tell you what the loaches look like b/c they rarely come out of their "tubes".
Advice? Tips for keeping a constant temp? Anything to watch/look out for besides more temp swings...lol?