heater for plants only tank

[lanceuppercut]

It looks like I'm going to have a tank that exclusivley has plants for a while, until i get some lights that fit across my new tank. my question is, do I need a heater in this tank? its pretty cold here, being middle of winter at all, but i don't know if the plants really care about that.

thanks for your help
Aaron

 

[fort384]

I don't think you will have a problem skipping the heater as long as the tank is inside.

 

[neilanh]

How cold does your tank get at night with no heater?

 

[lanceuppercut]

about 65 degrees F.
maybe a little less

 

[BigJim]

I'd recommend getting a heater. I turned my heaters down from 76 to 72 and the growth of my water sprite, guppy grass, and java ferns slowed noticeably. My anacharis and crypt Lutea weren't affected. I recently turned the heaters up to 75 and the water sprite, guppy grass, and ferns started growing quickly again with no ill effects to the anacharis or water sprite.

 

[fort384]

It depends on what you want to do (Whether this is a display tank or you are just storing the plants for awhile). I agree you will see a noticeable slow down in growth, but I think anything above 60 degrees is probably fine to keep the plants alive.