Are we keeping our cichlids too warm!

[Stanzzzz7]

The more I research different biotopes for the cichlids I keep ,the more I think we may be keeping our fish warmer than what is required.
I have lately been learning as much as I can about the rio guapore in Brazil and the boarder of Bolivia. The Bolivian ram Microgeophagus altispinosa can be found here and was the species responsible for my research in this area.
The recorded water temperature in the guapore in August was 20c. Most resources for the Bolivian ram recommend temperatures much higher than this. I have found this to be the case for many of the cichlids we commonly keep.
Is this just a case of out dated information?
My findings tend to say yes.
Just wondered what other people thought.
If our fish are more comfortable a few degrees lower, then it may be worth looking into. We could also save a little on electricity bills.

 

[tlindsey]

The more I research different biotopes for the cichlids I keep ,the more I think we may be keeping our fish warmer than what is required.
I have lately been learning as much as I can about the rio guapore in Brazil and the boarder of Bolivia. The Bolivian ram Microgeophagus altispinosa can be found here and was the species responsible for my research in this area.
The recorded water temperature in the guapore in August was 20c. Most resources for the Bolivian ram recommend temperatures much higher than this. I have found this to be the case for many of the cichlids we commonly keep.
Is this just a case of out dated information?
My findings tend to say yes.
Just wondered what other people thought.
If our fish are more comfortable a few degrees lower, then it may be worth looking into. We could also save a little on electricity bills.

Yes I totally agree about most of us keeping certain species of SA Cichlids at higher temperatures than they normally thrive in. duanes is very knowledgeable of this he always states regional temperature for certain Cichlid species in his post.

 

[demonknight]

Ah man. What will us poor souls in the tropics do then? 20 deg is winter for me

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Yes I totally agree about most of us keeping certain species of SA Cichlids at higher temperatures than they normally thrive in. duanes is very knowledgeable of this he always states regional temperature for certain Cichlid species in his post.

Yes,I'm hoping duanes chimes in.

I have noticed the same can be said for a lot of central American cichlids.
Lots of livebearers are often kept at low temps by enthusiasts and they often live side by side with our cichlids.
Most riverine species like cooler water,veija, thorichthys Rheoheros /Cribroheros species for example all like it a little cooler than typically thought of.
I haven't used a heater in my c/a tanks for years.

 

[PhishMon84]

It would be a huge savings running tanks at 70-72, instead of 78-80.
I try to unplug my heaters in may and back on in October but sometimes i wonder the same thing and I personally think heaters are what drives
My electric bill so high.

Following

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Ah man. What will us poor souls in the tropics do then? 20 deg is winter for me

I wish i lived in the tropics. No sympathy for you.

 

[PhishMon84]

If 20c=68f, I would only need to heat tanks in my basement a few degrees and no heaters would be necessary for the living room tanks

 

[Stanzzzz7]

It would be a huge savings running tanks at 70-72, instead of 78-80.
I try to unplug my heaters in may and back on in October but sometimes i wonder the same thing and I personally think heaters are what drives
My electric bill so high.

Following

I've noticed a big increase in my electric bill since moving from an unheated c/a tank to a s/a tank at 78.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

If 20c=68f, I would only need to heat tanks in my basement a few degrees and no heaters would be necessary for the living room tanks

I have a smaller c/a unheated tank in another room in the house. I've never seen it drop below 70.

 

[PhishMon84]

I have a smaller c/a unheated tank in another room in the house. I've never seen it drop below 70.

I may try this out by gradually lowering the temps y a few degrees each day. I know the heaters are going to be more efficient at 72(f) and only heating the water a few degrees above ambient temps. Then raising it up to 80(f) from 65-68(f) sorry I live in New England and we use the worst units of measure...