Max Water Temp.

Vincenia

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Dec 11, 2011
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It been hot lately in my room, no A/C running. My room got nearly to nearly 90, now its at 84. I checked the temp of my 10g.. I was shocked to see the temp. I have two different thermometers on it. The strip on the side and another that sticks to the inside of the tank. The water temp was above 90, close to 95. I unpluged my heated. I'm just surprised the fish seem fine, expect the betta isn't moving much and the kuhlis seem sluggish. The endlers, molly, platy and the hillstream seem to be fine. Maybe it's a good thing I have a bio-wheel 100 on the tank.

Would my fish be fine? My room normally is around 68-76.. but never in the 80s. Is it better off with the heater unplugged for now and let it sit at room temp? I been keeping the 3g unplugged and the temp in that tank is about 74-78, without heater.
 
A properly functioning heater won't add any heat to a tank which is at or above the set point. Turn the heater down to the lowest acceptable temp and leave it plugged in. If the water gets any warmer than that it isn't the heater's doing!
 
Agree with Subrosa. You say your room is usually 68-76...just not turned the ac on yet?
 
I had to keep add ice to my tank yesterday because it was almost at 90 degrees.
:(
 
A fan blowing across the top of the tank should induce evaporation, which would, in turn, reduce temperature. It would require top offs, but is definitely a way to reduce temps. Thinking about it, there is *no* good reason a tank would be 5 degreees hotter than room temperature without a source of heat. Sounds to me like a heater failure or some external heat source.
 
+1 on the fan blowage.

I know on my 10g, the heater has stuck on twice following a water change. Tank maxed out about 84-86F. For this reason, I'll stick with minimum wattage recommendations for my tanks. Reduce the chance of seafood soup.
 
Dismount your heater, and drop it to the bottom of the tank prior to water change, and remount it when done. That way, it stays submerged, and that should prevent any issues about "being confused" due to air exposure.
 
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