Temperature

[scoobiedoo]

I have recently set up a juwel trigon 350 I am using an external filter everything running smoothly
I have the heater set at 26d but the thermometer on the front of the tank is only readind 23.8 looking to introduce new fish does any one think this will be a problem.
I would also like to introduce live plants but every kind I have tried have been eagerly been gobbled up by my silver dollars

 

[Akasha72]

my heater is set at about 32 and is coming out at 26. Some of these heaters arn't very accurate. Plus (if your in the U.K) it's winter so the general air temperature is low - especially at night when the central heating goes off. I'd turn it up to around 30 and keep an eye on the temperature gauge.

Also ... I can't click 'post' without asking if you've cycle'd the new tank before you add any fish?

Take a look at the beginners section if the answer is no or what's cycle'd?

 

[Westwood]

Are you using a strip type thermometer, or a glass one?
The strips that stick on the outside of the tank are terribly inaccurate , i would recommend if you do not have a glass one to get one!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

The thermometer reading you need all depends upon the fish you have planned...

If you were planning a sub-tropical setup (eg. Zebra/Leopard Danios; Redline Torpedo Barbs; Rosy Barbs; Peppered Corydoras; Rubbernose Plec), then would would adjust the heater to get a temperature reading of ~18C.
If you were planning a tropical setup, a temperature of ~24C would be appropriate for most.
Many Corydoras (but not all) do better in the 22-24C ballpark.
Some specialist fish (eg. Discus; Electric Blue Rams) need a minimum of ~27C.

If planning a community tank, the key is to find a group of species that all have the same ballpark needs, rather than trying a comprimise temp that is at the extreme high end for some (low metabolism, hyperactivity, greedier, more waste, shorter life span) and the extreme low end for others (low metabolism, underactivity, won't eat and cannot process their normal dietary food, immune system effectively turns off).

 

[scoobiedoo]

thanks for the replies yes i have cycle'd the tank i have a few species of fish already in some of which i will have had for 3 years but i am looking for more colour i had 3 angels but all died soon after introucing them 2 tank i have 2 thermometers a digital 1 on the left of the tank and a glass 1 on the right the glass 1 only reads 20 i will try turning the heater up to see what results i get

 

[BigbruiserAl]

what external are you using mate?

 

[scoobiedoo]

its a tetratec 1200

 

[BigbruiserAl]

its a tetratec 1200

Sorry i meant what heater my bad

 

[scoobiedoo]

not sure it came with the aquarium hasnt got any markings on it

 

[BigbruiserAl]

not sure it came with the aquarium hasnt got any markings on it

Ah ha, do you know what make the tank is then? As an example i got Sun sun tank witch came with sun sun heater, the heater setting showed 30c but tank temp withh glass thermoter was 22c. Alot of heater more so the non brandind are a million miles out and poorly calibrated. My advise is always belive the glass thermoter regardless what you dial in on the heater

 

[scoobiedoo]

its a jewl trigon 350 so do u think i would be better getting a heater that works for say 400 litres then at least i no its the right size

i have another heater would it help if i put this in aswell?

 

[BigbruiserAl]

its a jewl trigon 350 so do u think i would be better getting a heater that works for say 400 litres then at least i no its the right size

That explains it mate i also have a RIO 350 and the std juwel heater did the same as yours. They are rated at 300w i turned my all the way to MAX setting to get 24c in my rio 350. I just put mine in the shed for a spare and got a fluval E300. Have a google decent heater and about £25. If you dont want to splash the cash at this time of year crank the juwel heater up it will heat the tank just dont go by the dial

 

[scoobiedoo]

its a jewl trigon 350 so do u think i would be better getting a heater that works for say 400 litres then at least i no its the right size

That explains it mate i also have a RIO 350 and the std juwel heater did the same as yours. They are rated at 300w i turned my all the way to MAX setting to get 24c in my rio 350. I just put mine in the shed for a spare and got a fluval E300. Have a google decent heater and about £25. If you dont want to splash the cash at this time of year crank the juwel heater up it will heat the tank just dont go by the dial

thanks very much i have turned it up fully and will look to buy another asap thanks for your help