We just set up a 54 gallon corner aquarium. It's not in sunlight, and the room temperature is kept at 78 degrees. We are not using a heater at this time, but the water is a constant 86 degrees. Any suggestions? Is that temperature harmful to the fish? We have 4 zebra danios, 2 red wag platys, 1 Gourami, 1 molly and 1 dwarf african frog. All seem to be doing fine, but everything we've read indicates that the water shouldn't be over 82 degrees.
Tank Water's Too Hot
- Thread starter H20hot
- Start date
Welcome to the site 
The light is the most likely cause of the heat. What kind of hood/lighting setup do you have? If you only have fish, there's no need to run the lighting more than a few hours a day.
While 86 is high, it should be OK. Water holds less oxygen at higher temps, so it's important to make sure the filter is moving the surface of the water somewhat to help with gas exchange. As you only have a few fish, there most likely won't be a problem with low oxygen at this point. If you see the fish gasping at the surface, it's a sign your oxygen levels are low.
The light is the most likely cause of the heat. What kind of hood/lighting setup do you have? If you only have fish, there's no need to run the lighting more than a few hours a day.
While 86 is high, it should be OK. Water holds less oxygen at higher temps, so it's important to make sure the filter is moving the surface of the water somewhat to help with gas exchange. As you only have a few fish, there most likely won't be a problem with low oxygen at this point. If you see the fish gasping at the surface, it's a sign your oxygen levels are low.
We bought the tank from Petco- they were selling their displays at a deep discount. It functioned for 3 years in the store, so we're using what they used, which is a Magnum 350 filter, and the light it came with, which is a 30" Compact Aquarium Reflector with a 55 watt flourescent light bar... the store clerk also said the light shouldn't heat the water. After turning off the light and having it sit all night, it still reads 86 degrees constant. The only time it's been in the safe range, (about 82 degrees) was during the water change, and then it crept back up to 86. No other noticeable problems where the fish are concercerned...
hot water mystery
It's not near the heat vent; the filter doesn't seem to be putting out much heat; it finally dropped to 84 degrees last night. It came with a thermometer stuck on the outside, and because that kind isn't always accurate, we bought a glass thermometer to put inside the tank. That's the one reading 86 degrees average.
Thanks for all your suggestions!
It's not near the heat vent; the filter doesn't seem to be putting out much heat; it finally dropped to 84 degrees last night. It came with a thermometer stuck on the outside, and because that kind isn't always accurate, we bought a glass thermometer to put inside the tank. That's the one reading 86 degrees average.
Thanks for all your suggestions!
