warm climates and natives

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inth3shadows

inth3shadows

Candiru
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2007
174
5
48
Bellaire, MI
one of the options i am thinking about for one my tanks when i move is turning it to a native tank
the problem is that i know the air temp gets to plenty over 90, and i will likely not have air conditioning
(colorado springs)

i was wondering if anyone knows of any forumla that comes close to what the water temp should be based on variables like water turnover, air temp, and such . (will make sure its in a place with no direct sun)
 
Formula for gauging water temp? Throw a thermometer in the lake, or stand by a boat ramp and when you see a bass boat coming out of the water ask the guy what the water temp was. They usually pay attention to it, a lot of fishfinders have water temp on them

If you get natives from your local area (small lakes and ponds or out of the shallows) you wont need a chiller, but if you pulling Bass, Perch, Walleye, or something like that out of the deeps of the big Lakes you may want to look into a chiller or a basement if you have it.
If you get natives from an LFS, you probably don't need to worry about it either.
 
i am going to de-rail my post a little. ( can't really test waters in colorado, as i am currently in michigan)
but is there anyone in colorado keeping natives. What temp do you keep them, and is the room cooled or the water chilled?
 
SkiPro;2531226; said:
my lake at my cottage will reach almost 80 in the summer so as your fish should be alright.
Click to expand...

Thats surface water temp which is why in the daytime most fish move to shaded and deeper cooler water. If you've ever swam in a lake or pond you can feel the difference when your swimming and your torso is in warm water and from the waste down its much colder. But in this case the tank will raise and lower to the air temp so if its 90 in the house its 90 in the tank. A chiller is going to be needed in that situation.
 
What fish do you want to keep? The standard pond fish (largemouth, sunnies, most catfish, gar, golden shiners, fatheads) will laugh at your Colorado Springs heat; they thrive in bathwater hot ponds across the deep south. Your winter is a much bigger concern; see your state DNR's guidelines for stocked pond depth to avoid freezeout.

If you want to keep fish from cool, well oxygenated waters such as smallmouth, walleye, pike, or the various stream-dwelling darters, suckers, and minnows, etc. you may need to worry about the heat a little more. But for most of these species the "well-oxygenated" part is more important than the "cool" part. Plenty of oxygenation and turnover from aerators, waterfalls, fountains, etc. will keep them in good shape.

The only reason you would possibly need a chiller is if you were keeping dedicated coldwater fish such as trout.
 
I ditto Noto post, i keep several different natives, however they are kept at about 70 year round with heating and A/C. I know that sunfish, catfish, and even bass survive in ponds and lakes but at 5 feet down the water is much cooler. however i catch lots of fish in streams that are less than 3 feet, and in the middle of summer. In the winter though 40 and below they disappear every stream seems empty, I think they go to florida in the winter :)
 
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