Tank Temp 89*f!

[Mikaila31]

I just went down to my main 55gal tank.I was looking at it and the fish seemed off. I touched the glass and it was really warm. I checked the little sticky thermometer and the temp was off the scale! I touched the heater and it was off, but I unplugged it anyway. I noticed the live plants around it are scorched though. I put some bags of ice in the tank, then I went and got a cooking thermometer and took a temp of the tank. It came out as 89*F! Like WTH! The heater was set at 72*. It's always heated the tank about 8* higher than the dial says ever since I got it. It's about 5 years old.

Also this tank is plugged into a outlet with a GFI, (same as in bathrooms). Earlier this week I woke up and found that the outlet had been tripped. The only things plugged into the outlet is the power strip that runs to the tank (every thing plugs into the power strip, filter, heater, lights, ect) and a cordless phone charger. So the tank sat without power for a whole night earlier this week. I reset the outlet and plug everything back into it and it didn't trip again. I figured that perhaps some water had gotten into the power stip and set it off. I don't think that was the case now.

So, what else should I do? I got the bags of ice floating in the tank. Would it help if I did a water change? I changed 50% on Wednesday. Is the high heat going to effect my cycle at all? Any advise at all would help!

 

[WILDER]

Remove the heater and throw it away.
You will need to buy a new heater.
When temp dropped abit wrap the tank in a blanket till you get a new heater.
Not meant to alter temp by more than 2 degrees either way.
The icecubes should lower the temp abit, increase aeration as high temps reduce 02 in the water.
Let the temp drops gradually after the ice cubes have melted.

How are the fish doing.
Keep a look out for whitespot, swim bladder, columnaris.

 

[Mikaila31]

The fish seem OK. Most of them are busy with an algae waffer. I was worried that the temp might have killed my panda garras, but I did find all three and they are acting normal. I will watch this tank closely, there are 2 caecilians in here. If the fish get sick, I would have to remove them from the tank to medicate the fish.

 

[WILDER]

Ok thats fine then.
Don't drop the temp to fast as it can do more harm than good.
Good luck.

 

[Mikaila31]

What is the lowest wattage heater I can safetly use in a 55gal tank? The one that I just took out was 300w. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a rena smartheater, which should protect my caecilians from burning themselves like they did on the glass ones. Thing is I have to order it on-line. So whats the lowest watt heater I could saftely use to heat a 55gal for about a week? I don't have a big enough spare, so I'll have to go buy something tomorrow.

I've got the temp down to 86*F now and my freezer is out of ice. I'm going to let it fall on its own now, or else I have to start floating frozen juice cans in there.
Here is a picture of one of the plant leaves that was in contact with the heater !

 

[WILDER]

Sorry couldn't get back any sooner board been playing up.
Did you manage to get a new heater.
How are the fish doing now?

 

[shellz2008]

I have a 55g tank and sure my heaters 300w. Id have been bit dubious chucking ice in id have just taken the heater out and let water cool gradually as you may end up stressing fish more with quick drop after such a high rise. good luck

 

[Mikaila31]

Yeah I am borrowing a heater from someone until my new one gets here. The fish have been acting like normal. I covered the tank with really heavy duty sleeping bag. When I covered it the temp was at 82F and at 2pm the next day it had only dropped to 78.

Yeah I know fast drops are very good. But that temp was way to high for some of the fish in there. My rummy tetras seemed unbothered by the temp. The rainbows and garra were definitely being bothered by it. I always thought my caecilians would try to bail out of the tank if the temp got that high. They have met the tile floor a few times and they don't like it there. But go figure they were both curled up in a really deep sleep. Taping on the glass wouldn't wake them, I had to physical touch them to get them to wake up.

 

[WILDER]

Glad everything seems ok.