Tsagos

I just put my hand into my tank to fix something and the water was cold! room temp... around 12-16c... I have heater... after 3-4 minutes water temp was at 25-26 but.. how fish handle with those parameters? Should i do something?

My heater is Jager for 60ltr tank. 50w!

Go for bigger heater?

Iron waffle

if it was at 12-16, then 26, they would die. if there's something wrong with the heater , maybe you should get another one.

Tsagos

I dont know the numbers for sure... I am sure that this heater CANOT keep the temp steady!

AlyeskaGirl

what heater are you using?

Never mind I saw you put that in your first post, lol!!!

Torez

you should get a bigger heater to help stabilize the temp itf not they would probably die

Tsagos

more money in the aquarium still no fish in... :/

Torez

ya but its worth it.

Lucy

I'm not sure I understand your post.....is the water 12-16 or 26? Is the heater fluctuating on it's own? If it was 12-16, did you adjust it so it would reach 26?
What temp is the heater set at? How long has it been in the tank?

I use 50W visit-therm stealths in my 5's and 10's.

Tsagos

Lucy. The heater some times do auto-shutoff... that brings the temp down to 12-16... When its on again I have 26.

aquarist48

Stealth heaters work for me. They are black and easy to hide. I use 2 250 watt but my tank is 155 gallon. The ones I have seem to be very accurate. You may want to increase your watts a bit and possibly add a second one (for back up) If one quits working then you have the 2nd to fall back on.

Fishies-for-me

I'm kinda confused it sounds like the temp goes up and down in a matter of minutes and that shouldn't happen in a large tank. Even turning the heater down it should not go down that fast and then pop back up when the heater comes on....are you sure it is going down that far?? 2-3 degrees is more likely. Heaters will cycle on and off as a way to keep the temp steady...good luck.

DE88ROX

With the temperature flucuating that fast, im wondering what he is using for a thermometer? I haven't really heard of these being faulty but I guess there is a first time for everything. Moreso if its a digital thermometer. I can see those numbers jumping around moreso than the old conventional types.

I have 2. A stick-on as well as a glass thermometer. Both in different depths of the tank.

Lucy

It would be a good idea to replace it and increase the wattage.
If the heater is set at 26C it should sense a temp drop before the water goes down as far as 12-16C

Tsagos

I dont use a thermometer guys.. I dont have heating in the room and I can see big difference in the water temperature with my hand. I am not sure that is 12-16c but its MUTCH lower than 26c...

CWO4GUNNER

With all respect, if you don't use a thermometer is there a reason are you blind?
If not then you need a thermometer otherwise how can you possibly know what you are talking about. You have to know to make a judgment otherwise your just guessing. Get a cheap $2 thermometer, take some reading and let us know what you know.

Lucy

Oy!

I agree....how can you tell what the degree is without a thermometer?

Tsagos

there is big diference in the temp... the one is allmost hot and the other is freaking cold!

Does it matter if its not 12 and its like 15 or 8 or 20 ? ITS COLD ! no offence taken!

CWO4GUNNER

The temperature of the aquarium is critical allot like a doctor taking your temperature so of course it matters whether the doctor says your temperature is 98.6F or 108F or if he tells you by feel your hotter then the room, that's guessing not a good thing.
Tropical fish need 74F-79F. Just like you, too cold and they get sick and die fast, too hot and they die slowly but they die. To much up and down and they get sick and die, its that simple.

Lucy

Yes it does matter. The members have taken their time to try and help you.
Leaving our pertinent information...such as "I don't have a thermometer and I am guessing at the temp" may have changed the suggestions the members, who took the time to help you, might have given.

Fishies-for-me

A thermometer costs about $2.00 it makes no sence to me to sink a $100.00 into a aquarium setup and then stock it with more $$'s in the way of fish and not invest in a $2.00 thermometer. You really need one as changes over just a couple of degrees an hour will kill your fish.

krismoore888

agreed with above, they are extremly important, i have 3 in my 140 l tank, two internal and one stick on and they cost me under £5. guess work is no good to anyone especially not your fish

agabr123

a thermometer is really important, i was shocked originally at how cold 78F felt to me when i first started fishkeeping, i tested it with three different thermometers before i believed that that was the correct temp

eventually you'll be able to stick your hand in the water and tell if it's at the right temperature, but for now i'd go with a thermometer