Trying to understand temperature fluctuations

I have an elite 150 thermometer in my 30 gallon planted tank (no fish yet, still cycling). I had it set for around 80, but the temperature went up to 82, so I turned it down to between 76 and 79, and it seemed to bring it down to 80, but this morning before lights-on, the temperature had gone down to 78.

I think my T5 HO lights are affecting the temperature of the water. I have them on for two 4-hour periods per day.

I plan on having rams, tetras, and some kind of cory.

Do I need to worry about these temperature fluctuations once I get fish in there? If it is the lights, is there a better way to equalize the temperature between periods of lights-on and lights-off?

 

You also have to remember room temperature. I have my thermometer set to 75 but my tank fluxuates between 78 and 82 depending on my room's temperature and my NO T8 lights. I have large windows that take the brunt of the afternoon sun, which certainly doesn't help. Good thing cichlids like it warm.

 

Good morning,

When you have sudden changes in temperatures then this is when issues may develop. Such as taking a fish from a tank that is 80 degrees and putting the fish in a tank that is 75 degrees. You could probably bet on ICH making its presence known if the fish even survives the temperature shock.

Fluctuation of two or three degrees over the period of the day or night shouldn't cause any problems. However, it's always good to maintain the tank temperature the best you can.

I have my tank lights on timers. They come on at 7am and off at 11am. They remain off during the hottest parts of the day from 11am until 4pm. They come on again at 4pm and stay on until 10pm. (This is for my 265g tank and no live plants).

For my heavily planted 33g tank, the lights come on at 7am and go off at 10am. Then they come back on at 6pm until 9pm. Lighting schedule is a bit different here due to having live plants and keeping algae under control.

If your tank is getting any direct sunlight, you may want to remedy this situation. For my 33g tank, I have a black background and I also used the same backing to block light on both ends of the aquarium. So the aquarium can only be viewed from the front.

Play around with lighting schedule and see what best works for your tank and fish.

Ken

 

You really don't have to worry about small fluctuations like that. I play musical fish sometimes, moving stock around, and have never had a problem not acclimating the fish to different temperatures. 5 degrees (80-75) will not kill the fish, though it is approaching a large enough difference that I would acclimate if it were more.

 

For my heavily planted 33g tank, the lights come on at 7am and go off at 10am. Then they come back on at 6pm until 9pm. Lighting schedule is a bit different here due to having live plants and keeping algae under control.

Would you consider this a heavily planted tank (or potentially heavily planted? : )

 

Hello,

I would consider it Moderate to Heavy. More heavy when the plants fill out.

Ken