Water temp problems-serious aggression

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cichlidfish

cichlidfish

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Jun 18, 2005
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All of my tanks have been ranging in the 82- 86 F range. The problem is that all off my female CA cichlids are laying eggs like crazy and they are super aggressive, and nearly killing any tank mates.
My AC is on and my home air temp is 78 F. I have been adding cool water in every water change and I have also reduced the amout of time my lights are on. I cannot reduce the water temp at all.
I don't understand how the water temp rises above the air temp. Any suggestions?
 
You obviously don't have a Heater in the thank that would be too easy. I would suggest you check the temp with another thermometer to see if the one in the tank is accurate. Also check to see if your filter or anything else is running hot.
 
is the tank in direct sunlight? that can increase temp. But im in the same boat, but my AC is broke, and its been 100+ lately, highest temp i had was 90, then I unplugged the heater...*facepalm*. Its been around 80 since then. But water plus sunlight will create the magnifying glass effect, heating water.
 
Do you have an open frame or closed frame stand. It might be something as simple as opening the door and pointing a fan in there. MY FW is about 4 degrees hotter than the room and I'm using canister filters, together about 100 watts plus 300 watts of light. This is on a 265 gallon tank, a smaller tank would have a greater temp.
 
I had a similar issue. I purchased a lasar temp gauge and was doing some investigating. Turned out it was the exterior wall I had my tank against. The home wasnt well insulated and the wall temp was much warmer than the rest of the room and radiating heat to my tank. I moved the tank to an interior wall and the tank dropped 4 degrees. :)
 
^ That sounds like a great idea!
 
Thanks for all the replies.

This is happening with 4 different tanks in different locations in my house. I unplgged the heaters and the tanks aren't in dirrect sunlight. The tanks are 72g, 55g, 25g and 10g. They all have the kind of thermometer that sticks to the side of the glass. I would say the thermometer might be off, but my female robertsoni(not fertilized) has laid eggs 2X and my HRP has laid eggs 3X (not fertilized).

What is the lowest temp that a HRP or a. robertsoni would lay eggs in?
 
Aquanero;4329657;4329657 said:
^ That sounds like a great idea!
Click to expand...
I thought the same thing. Do you have a parrot, Aquanero? I have this problem during hurricane season when the power goes out. My tanks heat up after a few days without power. I cool them down with small water changes until the power is back on. Obviously, this is not a viable solution for you. Since this is ongoing for you. Is your tank against an uninsulated wall? Having a tank near a door that is constantly opened and closed or with a gap will let in warm air and let out cool air in the summer. These are things that I have seen for myself.
 
Adding cool(er) water during a waer change can help in making cichlids spawn. It simulates a natural cool rainfall which stimulates the fish.

....Bill
 
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