What's The Best Temperature For These Fish?

[Mola Mola]

OK, so I have finally stocked my tank a bit, with 8 platies and 6 black mollies (oh, and, a couple of crabs - but it looks like I'll take them back to the shop).

What is the best temperature for the tank, if it contains platies and mollies?

I am struggling to keep it below 29C, even with the heater switched off. I suppose that it might fall lower at night (when the lights are off), but I think 29 is too high.

Perhaps I should also consider shading the tank from sunlight (it is not in direct sunlight, but is fairly close to a window. Also, perhaps keeping the lid open might be a good idea.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Tizer]

check out fish profiles here. Usually pretty accurate. Or simply google your fish and read 2/3 profiles for the average recommended temp.

 

[Mola Mola]

check out fish profiles here. Usually pretty accurate. Or simply google your fish and read 2/3 profiles for the average recommended temp.

Thanks Tizer, that's a very useful link.

Looks like the mollies can manage up to 28 and the platies 26, so obviously it is far too hot.

 

[Mola Mola]

As well as having the tank lid open, I also have the kitchen window open, and it is a fairly cool day today, so hopefully that will start to bring it down.

I wonder, in an emergency, is doing a partial water change with cool water and acceptable way to bring down the temp of a tank? If so, should I consider that now (don't want to do any damage to the fish due to the temp being too high)?

 

[Tizer]

no reason why not, the water out of your tap on a day like this is probably around 21C if you did a 1/3 water change it should lower it. No idea why yours is so high if the heater isnt on, are you sure the measuring do da thermometer thingybob isnt bust?

 

[Mola Mola]

no reason why not, the water out of your tap on a day like this is probably around 21C if you did a 1/3 water change it should lower it. No idea why yours is so high if the heater isnt on, are you sure the measuring do da thermometer thingybob isnt bust?

Hi Tizer. No I am really not sure. I don't know if you have seen my earlier posts on this, but I initially returned a heater that I thought was faulty (the fish shop thought it was too), got a new one, but still had problems.

All along people have told me that the thermometers hardly ever go wrong, but I am starting to have my doubts about this one.

Mind you, when I did the complete water change it was reading around 20C (maybe a little less), so perhaps it is accurate.

 

[Tizer]

no reason why not, the water out of your tap on a day like this is probably around 21C if you did a 1/3 water change it should lower it. No idea why yours is so high if the heater isnt on, are you sure the measuring do da thermometer thingybob isnt bust?

Hi Tizer. No I am really not sure. I don't know if you have seen my earlier posts on this, but I initially returned a heater that I thought was faulty (the fish shop thought it was too), got a new one, but still had problems.

All along people have told me that the thermometers hardly ever go wrong, but I am starting to have my doubts about this one.

Mind you, when I did the complete water change it was reading around 20C (maybe a little less), so perhaps it is accurate.

Dunno then, i've got the little black stick on strips for my tanks, cheap as chips and seem perfectly accurate.

 

[a.wagg]

That's what I have too. Easy to hide, and simpler than the digital fancy ones. Also, $2 a pop! You could also get a little mercury suction cup one... those are pretty accurate too. Try to go to your pet store, and grab a little black sticky one, and compare the readings.