Temperature Issues

R

rufius

Registered Member
Jan 3, 2006
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0
0
Heya,
I just bought a new 10 gallon tank (Top Fin) with a Top Fin Power 10 filter, and its not my first fish tank but I've been having issues keeping the temperature fairly constant. I prefer to keep my tanks at 79 degrees (F), and have a good Visi-Therm thermometer in the tank to regulate this. Despite this it would seem the incandescent lights (my suspicion anyway) are heating the tank up to about 80-81 degrees during the day when I let the lights run. Is this a good assumption that the fluctuation in the temperature is caused by the incandescent lights because I noticed they get fairly hot. It doesn't seem to be affecting my fish (Harlequin Rasboras) or my Red Claw Crab, although one rasbora died but I'm almost positive that was from bullying by one of the bigger rasboras in the tank. Any suggestions would be great!

rufius
 
80 degrees is a good temperature for your fish. You shouldn't be too concerned about the temp. But yes, any light fixture can heat up a tank. The way I see it, it just cuts down on electricity used on the heater.
 
Sometimes the mini screw in flourescents will fit. They fit in my 10 gallon hood but not my 5 too well. They don't run as hot and use less electricity. If you don't have real plants, get the lowest wattage of the flourescents you can or you may have algae issues, or else just have one on 1 side of the tank. Makes a nice effect with the second side more shadowy.
 
I have a top fin 10 gallon tank which overheated since it had 30 watts of incandescent bulbs in the hood. I replaced the bulbs with the mini-compact florescent bulbs and the heat problem subsided. If you don't have any live plants, you can leave your lights off unless you are in the room or have guests over. The fish do fine with ambient room lighting. The lights are more for you than your fish.
 
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