Thanks Andy I was thinking of upping the heater set point. Just how much of a temp change would be safe? Before the ground got so hot I could get it within around 1.0f. This is the first time my tap water has ever been this high. I use to have to add hot water to the mix to match the tank. Plus I don't want Oscar to get to hot.I wouldn't do 50% changes with that much difference. Do smaller amounts ( 20%-25%) more frequently so that the change is not that drastic.
Usually, a temperature change of much more than 3 or 4 degrees colder is enough to get fish sick. The good news is that you are going in the opposite direction so the stress level shouldn't be too bad. The problem is this: warmer water holds less oxygen so if you add water that is too hot, it can stress the fish from lack of oxygen. You also have to consider that the pleco does not do well in higher temps so even if it is only temporary while the water mixes, the warmer water could cause the fish to go into shock. Again, this is why it's not recommended to do large volume water changes when there are such drastic differences between the new water and the tank water. While it's summertime and your water temp is higher, I would definitely increase the aeration in the tank to get more oxygen into the water and do smaller water changes more frequently. I would not change your heater at all. All that will happen is that it won't be heating until the temp goes down. In nature, water temps rise and fall daily so fish are used to some changes but they take evasive actions to best fit their needs. Unfortunately in a fish tank, there is no place to hide until things become to their liking.
