I'll be getting some new Endler's Livebearers in the next day or so for my 10 gallon aquarium. I live in Southern California and temperature during the day is low-mid 70s. I was wondering if I should be getting a heater. And if I do, do I leave the heater on all the time? Or am I supposed to turn it off at night? Or...?
Endlers in California - Do I Need a Heater?
- Thread starter InTr4nceWeTrust
- Start date
My understanding is that Endlers thrive best around 80 degrees, so a heater would be needed. Just set the heater for 80, watch and adjust the temp as necessary until it stays at 80 (some heater's temperature settings are not completely accurate). Many here recommend Stealth brand heaters. They are completely submersible and reliable.
You leave the heater on all the time. It will only heat the water if it drops below your set temperature.
You leave the heater on all the time. It will only heat the water if it drops below your set temperature.
Hm... I've read that they CAN do okay in 70 degree temperatures. Do you think they'd be okay for a few days without a heater? The highs are around 70 and the lows are around 50.
you can try keeping them in an unheated tank, but you risk them getting ich or becoming susceptible to other infections/pathogens. for tropical fish lowered temperatures = lowered immune system function.
Hm...I can get it warmer during the day with fluorescent lights. Would it be bad if the water goes from 75-80 during the day to 50 at night?
Allrighty then, thanks for all the help. I'll go ahead pick up a heater (and thermometer) at PetCo before the fish come in the mail.
You may already know this, but when you do water changes, use the thermometer to make sure the water you are adding to the tank is as close to the existing tank temp as possible. In other words, don't put cold tap water into the tank...and be sure to treat the new water with a dechlorinator.
You can go to the Petco website and price what you want...then print the page and take it to the store...they will likely match the price from the website if the in-store price is more..
You can go to the Petco website and price what you want...then print the page and take it to the store...they will likely match the price from the website if the in-store price is more..
Thank you for the advice on water temp/dechlorination. Although I already knew that. I didn't know PetCo would match online prices, though. That information will come in very handy from now on. Thanks a lot.