Temp

[gsk177]

I would try dropping the dial on the tank heater 2 degrees each day and see if the thermometer on the tank drops as well.

From my experience, most heaters you will buy will actually warm the tank a few degrees higher than the setting on the dial. A 76 degree setting on my EboJaber heaters produce a 78 degree tank with a 72 degree central heating setting. Turning the dials to 78 degrees makes my tank water 80ish degrees.

The warmer water will speed up your cycling process to some degree. When I fishless cycled my most recent 55g, I kept my heater set at 84 degrees until the cycle was over.

The fish you have listed should be fine with a temp range of 74 to 80 degrees. Id shoot for somewhere in the middle; around 76 degrees or so.

 

[Harlock]

Its worse to lower the temperature quickly than to raise it quickly. Lowering the temp too fast may cause an outbreak of ick.

I suggest you read the wonderful article in the articles forum titled Ich and written by Daveedka. You'll get a better understanding of Ich and realize that temperature does not cause Ich. Only Ich causes Ich.

 

[Kissofthegorami]

Why would a temperature drop cause ich? It there's no ich in the tank, no ich will appear at a temperature drop.

I never said ich is caused my temperature. I know that temperature plays a role in curing ich because higher temperatures speed up the life cycle. I am saying that a sudden temperature drop is more detrimental to a fish than an increase. And it will stress them out. Since ich is nearly ALWAYS present amongst freshwater fish, and some of hers are faiurly new, there could be an oubreak of ich when they get stressed. I love how people in these forums are so quick to jump on someone and display their "holier than thou" knowledge. I know where ich comes from. I have had 15 years of experience.

 

[Harlock]

I never said ich is caused my temperature. I know that temperature plays a role in curing ich because higher temperatures speed up the life cycle. I am saying that a sudden temperature drop is more detrimental to a fish than an increase. And it will stress them out. Since ich is nearly ALWAYS present amongst freshwater fish, and some of hers are faiurly new, there could be an oubreak of ich when they get stressed. I love how people in these forums are so quick to jump on someone and display their "holier than thou" knowledge. I know where ich comes from. I have had 15 years of experience.

Oh, Ich is not nearly always present. Go read the article. It has a life cycle. Experience has nothing to do with this and I am not being holier than thou. I am simply trying to crrect misinformation. It helps the person who states it and anyone reading the thread.

 

[reiverix]

Lowering the temp too fast may cause an outbreak of ick.

That is what I read so I responded. Sorry if my answer offended you. Chill.

 

[Kissofthegorami]

Everytime you buy fish, there is a chance of reintroducing ich to your aquarium. Ich is a huge problem in LFS and the giant fish farms. I have read in many sources that you can count on ich almost always being present. Thats why if your fish get too stressed out, they get ich. Because the ich is there....

 

[Harlock]

Nevermind. Yes, larger places have Ich. That's why quarantine is important. To say Ich is almost always present is a mis-statement however. Once Ich is cured in a tank and not reintroduced (by say, quarantining fish etc.) it is no longer present. Period. Don't take it personally. No one is is trying to say you are a bad person or anything. People on this board simply care about fish and know healthy fish make for happy owners and hapy owners keep the hobby alive and well. Also, happy owners are usually more observant of their charges which makes the fish happier still because trouble is caught early, so it's a self-reciporicating cycle where both owner and fish alike win. Again, no one is trying to single you out. Don't take it personally. Don't get offended. Messageboards are about the exchange of information and people can disagree and that's when facts get stated. Not personal attacks, simply facts. No one here really knows you so they wouldn't make a personal attack. It's not worth the time or effort. We're here to help fish and their owners is all. Relax. Count to ten. Share information. That's all there is to it.