Best Way To Keep The Tank Warm

[Mikaila31]

It has been really cold for a few days, and now it is starting to get really really cold!
The 5-day forecast is as follows: (Day low/high)
Sat. -13/-1
Sun. -14/4
Mon. -5/8
Tue. -3/10
Wed. 4/6
I'm not worried about the tanks upstairs in my room, for some reason all the heat goes in there and the temp is between 70-80.
I am worried about my 55gal that is in the basement. Right now it is -3* outside, the house temp is set for 67* and it is only 62* inside right now. I am guessing the basement temp will hit at least 60* during the night. The tank is on a wooden stand, but it is on tile flooring which doesn't help. It is also about 10 feet away from a double glass door which doesn't help either. The heater is a 300w Hydor Theo for up to 80gal. I just turned it up a notch and disconnected it from the side of the tank so my caecillian don't burn themselves on it. So what is the best way to keep the temp in the tank stable while the room temp fluctuates so much?

thanks,
Mikaila31

 

[rossyboy]

My friend had this problem... the LFS recommended obviously regular checks, but also to purchase a second heater and place it in the opposite side of the tank, to relieve the other heater of some pressure!!

 

[chibi]

I would install 2 or 3 small heaters in your tank. With just one heater in one location, you just make one spot very warm and risk burning your fish if you crank it up way high. If you distribute lower heat evenly throughout your tank, your whole tank will be warm, not just one super hot corner. When you do this, make sure when you check the temperature, to check it at different locations in the tank. That way, you know the entire tank is about the same.

 

[Mikaila31]

I'm not really concerned about the tank getting to cold. The heater is for 53-80gal tanks, ATM it is keeping my tank at 79*. The heater is only set at 72*, LOL. The tank also has a strong current so I don't seem to get any cold/warm spots. I got a reading of 79 from both sides of the tank. The basement temp is 59*, outside it is -9* . I tossed a unzipped sleeping bag over the tank to help the heater cope, also tossed some blankets over the hedgies cage and turned her heat lamp up too. The computer is in the basement, so i'm sitting here breathing into my hands with no more blankets . I am concerned that when the house warms up in the morning to its normal temp, that the tank will heat up too . Or that the temp is going to start fluctuating during the day and night, and stressing out the fish.

I haven't had any of my fish burn them selves on the heater only my female caecillian. She sometimes falls asleep wedged behind the heater, the heater turns on and she gets an nasty burn before she wakes up. I unsuctioned (is that a word?) the heater from the side of the tank, so it is sorta sicking out into the water. This way she hopefully shouldn't be able to burn herself on it. I am looking for some sorta heater guard so she won't be able to burn herself, but so far I have come up empty .

 

[the biffster]

you could always do what i used to do and cover it on a night with blankets
i know a few fish keepers that do the same with tanks in fish houses in the winter
it worked for me in the past give it a go


good luck biff

 

[BigC]

Good old heater/stats (300w) should be holding that tank stable regardless.
and polystyrene sheets base, back and sides would also help.
I would maybe consider using a bottle gas heater (we call them super ser's over here to take the nip out of the air.
Something like this
http/www.socal.co.uk/At_Home/Portable_Ga..._Heater/3/17172
I used to use paraffin greenhouse heaters (but they stink if the wick is not kept clean) in my fish-house before I went over to electric fans.
Regards
BigC