Water temperature in the tank during winter

[tommyhilly]

I have a 20 gallon with mollies and guppies. I have the tank temp set at 76 degrees. The tank is in a room that gets a bit chilly during the winter, roughly around 67 -68 degrees. Some days depending on how cold the day is, it can get drafty.

So my question is, do I raise the temperature of the tank? Will the heater always kick on if I don't raise it? I believe ideally anything ranging between 68 -78 is acceptable, but I do have fry and fish carrying fry too. What do you suggest?

 

[twentyleagues]

If the heater is set at 76 and it's large enough for the tank volume then it should keep it at 76. It will come on more often then in the warmer months. If the heater is to small for the tank it will struggle to keep the temp stable and you may see a decrease in temp.

 

[dogofwar]

As an aside, mollies and guppies (and lots of other "tropical fish" for that matter) are just fine at 67-68F (or even lower). The main thing you don't want is wide swings of temperature or a heater that sticks on and boils the fish.

 

[Rocksor]

Get a heater controller. You could slowly lower the tank temperature by 1 degree a week, until you get to about where the room temperature is. It can also be set so the heater kicks on if it is 1 degree lower than desired temperature, and will prevent heaters from overheating the tank when the heaters get stuck on.

 

[tommyhilly]

Get a heater controller. You could slowly lower the tank temperature by 1 degree a week, until you get to about where the room temperature is. It can also be set so the heater kicks on if it is 1 degree lower than desired temperature, and will prevent heaters from overheating the tank when the heaters get stuck on.

It is good advice thanks. I was thinking about the Inkbird heater controller. Did you hear about it?

 

[Rocksor]

It is good advice thanks. I was thinking about the Inkbird heater controller. Did you hear about it?

i use the blue one since 2014. It’s pretty good