Water Temperature Decrease (how Gradual?)

I need to lower my tank temperature to 74 degrees. It has been always been at 78 degrees, but I recently learned my Gourami's labyrinth organ is susceptible to damage if the water temp and ambient room temp is too different. Apparently the Dwarf Gourami is best kept at a temperature range of between 72 and 82, and the room temp is about 73 to 74, so 74 sounds like a good number. My other fish fall within this range as well, so everything should be fine. Question is, how gradual do I need to decrease the temperature? Can I simply set it to 74 and let it be? It's a 20 gallon long, so it will take a few hours to drop anyway.

 

I need to lower my tank temperature to 74 degrees. It has been always been at 78 degrees, but I recently learned my Gourami's labyrinth organ is susceptible to damage if the water temp and ambient room temp is too different. Apparently the Dwarf Gourami is best kept at a temperature range of between 72 and 82, and the room temp is about 73 to 74, so 74 sounds like a good number. My other fish fall within this range as well, so everything should be fine. Question is, how gradual do I need to decrease the temperature? Can I simply set it to 74 and let it be? It's a 20 gallon long, so it will take a few hours to drop anyway.

Yep, set it and forget it. The temp (I think) changes about 1 degree an hour unless influenced by some sort of heating or cooling. Adjusting to room temp should only take a few hours naturally.

 

Update: I changed the heater setpoint to 74 yesterday evening at 7pm, and as of this morning it is still sitting at 78, so I obviously don't need to be concerned about sudden temperature changes!

 

Ive never heard that before. Where did you get that information?

As far as temps, if your room is always 73-74 and you want the tank at 74, just stop using a heater. And yes, it will take a few days at least for the temp to go down, especially with a small temp difference.

 

Ive never heard that before. Where did you get that information?

As far as temps, if your room is always 73-74 and you want the tank at 74, just stop using a heater. And yes, it will take a few days at least for the temp to go down, especially with a small temp difference.

I forget. It was one of those informative websites like The Spruce Pets or Animal-World. It makes sense, but I can't imagine a few degrees is enough to cause any harm.

The room is not always this warm. Just in the summer. In the winter it will be below 70, so a heater is a must. Regardless, I now have the heater set to 74, which is within the range of all inhabitants. I'm hoping it will calm some aggression exhibited by the male Glofish.

 

It's been two days and the temperature hasn't budged . Well, not more than 1 degree (heater resolution is 2 degrees).

 

When its hot (74 degrees ambient temp) your tank will take a while to lower, like I said. If it were 5o in the house, it would drop fast. I mean, trying to get a 78 degree tank to drop when the room is 74, that's gonna take some waiting.

 

Right, of course. I was simply commenting that I had nothing to worry about as far as too abrupt of a change.