Heating for plants..

[Gundy]

Well this past week has been getting rather good with some crazy temperature drops. I don't currently have a heater in my 20L planted but the temperature bounces between 64-68. With the morning being around 64 and then the afternoon/evening it'll sit around 68-70.

Should I invest in a heater for the aquarium? I know most plants are 68-74. But I know as it gets colder I'd like to keep the tank healthy.

 

[garth7]

I would say to get a heater to just to keep the temp constant. I think that consistancy is the key with temp.

 

[rich311k]

I would agree, get yourself a heater.

 

[Gundy]

I've got a dwarf apisto pair on the backburner so I splurged for a heater this afternoon. What temp should I keep it at ? 78?

 

[rich311k]

Sounds just about right. What kind of pistos are you getting?

 

[Gundy]

Apistogramma cacatuoides Triple Red

 

[rich311k]

Nice. enjoy!

 

[Gundy]

Does the temperature need to be higher for this fish? I think I was reading they require 79-84. Just not sure on how it'll affect my plants too.

 

[Atl300zx]

related questions:

i have two 150watt stealth heaters for my 55Gallon tank.

At night the temps drop to 74 and raise to 79-80 by the time the lights go out.

Is this temperature variance too much?

 

[rich311k]

I keep my apistos at 80F.

Alt raise your temp to 78F and the variance will be much reduced, less stress on the fish.

 

[Atl300zx]

i currently have each heater set to 79, although i never trust the thermostats on the heaters, should i jsut turn both of them up a bit?

 

[rich311k]

Yes 74 at night is low. Go up a little until you only change say from 78 - 80 everyday.

 

[Angel.Zero]

wow, my tank sits at 76.4 - 76.8 I have a 200w all-glass heater and a coralife digital therm.