Temp Got Too High, What Should I Do.

[rebrn]

Ok long story short, I have not had my tank heaters pluged in at all, as the water temp in all my tanks has been holding at around 75-76 F (except the Betta tank holding at around 77-78 - he is in a warmer room). Anyway, 2 nights ago, we had a cold snap, and I woke up to see that the 55 gallon tank had dropped to 71.8 F, the other tanks were still holding at their normal temps, the 55 gallon is against an outside wall so I think that is why it was the only one that had a temp drop. Anyway, as the cold snap was suppose to stay all week, I decided to plug in the heaters for the 55 gallon yeterday morning, the temp was up to 80 F when I woke up this morning (I had the heaters set to 73 F - so obviously they are malfuncting and I will need to get new ones), I immediately unpluged the heaters and the temp has come down to 78.5. I was just wondering if there is anything else I need to do? I wasn't sure if I should do a partial water change with slightly cooler water, I don't want to shock them any further than the already have been. The fish seem fine, I am not feeding them today as I was advised by a friend that it is good to with hold food 1-2 days a week to avoid constipation, also, by female cherrys seem to have a very round belly, I suppose this could be eggs, but as they are the biggest pigs in the bunch, I thought it wouldn't hurt them to miss a day of feeding. But none the less when I turned the lights on this morning they all came swimming up to the top looking for breakfast. The stock is

2 pearl gourmais
16 zebra danio
12 cherry barbs

As I said they all seem fine, the only unusual thing was when I turned the lights on the morning, the 2 pearl gourmais took a little longer to come out of there night-time hiding spots, but when they did the seemed fine.

Thanks

 

[fatheadminnow]

I just skimmed what you wrote, and from what got I think you really do not need to worry.

The temperatures your fish experienced were really not far outside their normal temperature range. Plus, having the heater plugged in, or having the temp drop over night; this is going to happen at a relatively slow speed. Meaning it will not "shock" the fish.

This is why we must acclimate fish properly so they are not "shocked" by the temperature change, along with a different pH level, etc...

EDIT: Since it is winter here and all; I have my heater turned all the way up in my 55 gallon and the temp is hovering right around 72-74 degrees, and this is just fine for the fish.

-FHM

 

[rebrn]

I didn't think I had too much to worry about, I checked the reccommended temps for the fish and like you said they didn't get too far out of the range. I just wanted to be sure. I am in South Carolina, so unless we get a really cold snap during the winter the temp in my house is ususally enough to keep the tanks where I want them (75 F), but I guess since that 55 gallon is up against an outside wall, it was effected (none of the other tanks were). But I am fairly certain my heaters in that tank are malfuncting, as the heaters were set to 73 F and the temp got up to 80 F I will have to contact hydor for replacements (the heaters are only about a month old).

 

[flyhawk]

i say you keep the heaters on all the time to limit temp swings
i have had this happen before because my younger bro decided to unplug all my aquarium cords
it didnt hurt anything

 

[rebrn]

That is just it though, this is the first time I have experienced temperatre swings, normally they stay at 74.5-75 with no heaters. That is why I initally unplugged the heaters, when I had the heaters plugged in the temp was always hanging at around 77-78, so I unplugged them. This is the first cold snap that effected the tank, and obviously the heaters in that tank are broken, as I had them set to 73, and the tank temp was 80 and the heaters were still on, I watched them for about 30 minutes before I unplugged them and the never turned off. So the are obviously broken. I always keep my house at 73-75 depending on the outside temperature, and up until 2 nights ago that keept the tanks at 75 (plus or minus 0.5 degrees). So I really wasn't have temp swings until two nights ago. I wouldn't have even plugged them in at all, except that the tank temp dropped to just below 72. My other 2 tanks (away from the outside wall) stayed at thier normal temps (75 rasbora tank and 78 Betta tank). I truely believe it was just because we had a cold snap the past 2 nights, but I really don't want to use those heaters until I can get them replaced because now I just don't trust them.

 

[drobbyb]

I would certainly be in touch with hydor just to be sure. If the heaters were all working properly before, then something has gone wrong.

Did you try turning the heater down to it's lowest setting to see what happens? You need not put it in the tank, just get a 5 gallon bucket and a thermometer.

 

[Harlequins]

I've had the heater set at 25 degrees when i first set up the tank,the following day the temp went up to 27 ,anyway i have since found the temperature dial is out on the rena heater,and i need to set it 23 degrees for it to stay at a constant temperature of 25 degrees.

 

[rebrn]

It was set at 73 previously, I did turn it down to the lowest setting before unplugging it, the tank temp was 80, and the heaters still didn't turn off. I have already contacted Hydor, they are sending me replacements. I think they will be fine without the heater until the replacements come, unless we get another really cold night. But truthfully, that was the first time I plugged in the heaters (other than during cycling) and the temps were stable, but still I want them replaced just in case.

 

[GrubbyGirl]

I would certainly be in touch with hydor just to be sure. If the heaters were all working properly before, then something has gone wrong.

Did you try turning the heater down to it's lowest setting to see what happens? You need not put it in the tank, just get a 5 gallon bucket and a thermometer.

I was told that both hydor and rena heaters were always the best to use because if they malfunction they are more likely to malfunction in the off position whereas other heaters will stick on, something to do with the thermostatic switch technology they use. Since fish do better getting cold than they do being boiled, these are the heaters I use.

Never trust the temp guage on the heater though, always use a thermometer to check and adjust the dial according to what that says