So exactly how hot is too hot?

[SkinnyPete]

So summer is here and a lot of us will be battling high water temps. Now, I know from earlier posts that people keep their temps between about 78-80 for the most part. And a open topped tank or egg crate with a couple fans blowing over the surface can help to keep temps down. My question is simply, how hot is too hot? I was pushing 86 this past weekend and no critter showed any signs of stress or behaved any differently - how hot is actually dangerous for our fish/inverts? At what point is it panic time?

Thanks all

- Skins

 

[gilraen]

Mine is always at 84, I read somewhere that as long it doesn't reach close to the 90 mark is ok, to me that's high still...

 

[steve-s]

86° is actually quite high, I would even caution at 84°. Ideally 78-80° is better but the animals will tolerate higher temps. If you are not already using fans I would suggest doing so. If you have a sump this can be especially helpful as well as one at the tanks surface to blow off ambient heat from the lights. Try to aim for 82° at most for the daytime temp if at all possible. The other problem is the yo-yoing of the temp from day to night. You should consider bumping the thermostat control on the heater to compensate a bit so you have a much smaller temp swing during the day say 80-81° then you have only a degree or so change instead of the 6-8° change.

Cheers
Steve

 

[pearsont74]

i was having the same issue and got 2 clip opn fans at HD for $5 and it lowered me way down...basicall I have to limit the fans to keep it from gettin to low. I was 86 and am now about 80
Needing to get a heater to stable this out so I can keep the fans just running.
The down side it I have to do about a gal top offs a day