The Perfect Temperature

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well the fish tanks are in the basement so it could cause for some change in heat this winter, but i try to keep the African cichlid tank at 78-79 or so and the oscar tank is at around 80
 
Ya mines 78-80 pretty much. I need a new heater for the GT tank though I think it's broke , it won't ever turn off. And it's set on low yet the tank is a constant 80, so whatever, as long as it keeps running were good. I need to get a back up soon though, winter is approaching.
 
badisbadis101;2385661; said:
Personally, i keep my tanks at room temperature, which, depending on the time of year, is between 72 and 80F. This seems like a big gap, but it changes over the course of the year - in the summer it is closer to 80, cools down in the fall, stays around 72 in the winter, then heats back up in the spring. I do not use heaters in any of my tanks, and have suffered no ill results. I feel that this cycle is natural, as few of these fish live right on the equator, so most would feel some seasonal effects, even in the wild, so why not replicate it in your tanks?

However, i am fortunate to live in Houston, so my indoor temperature never drops below 72 or so, so i do not have to use heaters at all. If you live in the colder climates, you may need a heater, but setting it at 72 instead of 78 could save you energy, with it not even running for some of the year.

Finally, my fish tend to grow a little slower, which i attribute to the lower temperatures, but they also seem to live longer. I have some 8 year old tetras, and some catfish that are even older. Most of my CAs are still relatively young, but i assume they will follow a similar trend.

So thats what i do. It may or may not work for others. Obviously, some fish need a higher temperature (some of the amazonians, etc) but for the most part, most cichlids will thrive at lower temps (I keep angelfish, CAs, and Africans)
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Pretty much the same for me. I keep my house at about 74-76 and the fish at the same. I have heaters that I use if I want to jumpstart some loving in my tanks, but for day to day the fish seem fine and still grow fast.
 
oscarcrazy;2386272; said:
Pretty much the same for me. I keep my house at about 74-76 and the fish at the same. I have heaters that I use if I want to jumpstart some loving in my tanks, but for day to day the fish seem fine and still grow fast.
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Haha, that works pretty well if you live in Houston, but here in the winter my basement can get down into the low 60's. And a couple years ago, in the frat house, the thermostat would be at 50-55 degrees to save money... just enough to keep the pipes from freezing... I own a lot of heaters.

for the OP, I keep mine around 80.
 
Ya Ohio isn't no Texas, I had my tanks in the basment in the old house during the winter the cheap heater that came with the tank was struggling to keep the water warm.
 
I understand the need for serious heaters in cold climates :) I am just saying that in warmer climates, you can go without heaters. And in the colder climates, keeping the tanks over 75 is probably a waste of electricity, for the most part. Keeping your tanks at 74 or so, at least for the winter, would probably be fine
 
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