Temperature

[mackay55]

I'm doing a fish-less cycle and just wonted to know the best temperature to have.

 

[minnnt]

Don't think temperature makes a difference. I would do it at 22-24 as it won't use so much electricity.

 

[fluttermoth]

Actually, the bacteria grow much faster in higher temps, so it's normally recommended to have it up at 30°C/86°F

 

[minnnt]

Really? I didn't know that. How do people cycle cold water tanks successfully?

 

[mackay55]

what would happen if it goes over 30°C would the bacteria die

 

[fluttermoth]

Really? I didn't know that. How do people cycle cold water tanks successfully?

It just takes a long, long time! Normally we advise people to buy a heater for the cycle, and then either take it out or turn it down to it's lowest setting to stop the temp dropping too low.

what would happen if it goes over 30°C would the bacteria die

No; they're ok up to about 50°c, but you can get too many of the strains of bacteria which prefer higher temperatures if you let the temp go up that high, which would then die back once you turned the temp back down to a level suitable for fish, and you'd have a mini-cycle until the right families re-colonised the filter.

The growth starts to drop off above about 32°C anyway, so going above 30°C wouldn't give you any benefits.

 

[flipmode]

hi..im new in here..i just wonder how can i reduce the water temperature with out using the chiller. my current temperature is 29-31C. is it okay for tropical fish?

 

[minnnt]

That's a bit warm for most tropicals. Is it that temperature all year?

 

[flipmode]

That's a bit warm for most tropicals. Is it that temperature all year?

yup. i live in malaysia, most of the time is hot in our country. room temperature usually 26-27C, but my tank thermometer indicate 30C. phew. i already open the lid cover. i suspect my filter produce heat which increase the temperature in the water.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree with fluttermoth's detailed answer. I like to go with 29C/84F because of a discussion once with Hovanec that 29 seemed a little more optimized for the N-Bacs and I believe they're the ones that slow down on growth a little more quickly as you move above that. It's hard to be that precise anyway, given the thermometers we use anyway.

For flipmode's problem I suppose stocking selections will be very important. A majority of popular fish will probably find those temperatures too hot but what's important is to know to be looking and asking...

~~waterdrop~~

 

[minnnt]

The extra heat will come from the lights I reckon.

 

[flipmode]

maybe, i guess. can u give some advise on the light placement?

 

[waterdrop]

You can have a lid separate from lights, then put the lights higher up to help keep heat away from the water. You could even put another glass plate below the lights but above the glass lid on the tank and then rig a small fan up by the lights to blow heat sideways away from the lights. Anyway, those are thoughts but just meant to encourage you to be creative.

WD