Hi, I'm completely new to aquariums...I just set up my first tank yesterday (a 10 gal) and I was letting it run for 48 hours before adding fish. i plan on keeping tropical fish. I didn't realize until today that I should get a heater so I went to walmart (there are no pet supply stores close to me) and bought a thermometer and heater. However when I put in the thermometer, it is reading 85 already without the heater. Is this because of the light? i have no fish, i plan on going to get them tomorrow, but i plan on getting tropical fish as well as a pleco and a couple of shrimp. if it is this hot, is it going to kill them? I'd rather not drive the hour to get them if they're just going to die. :/ HELPPPPPP!!!!!
Temperature help!
- Thread starter taylee3
- Start date
I would not stock them at that temp. I don't know why your water would ht 85 unless there's something crazy going on with your lighting. Even moreso there's a lot more going on here than just temp nfirst off most plecos will not be able to survive well in a 10g (some can get up to 2 feet in length) and you should really look into cycling before trying to stock the tank with more than a fish or two.
Ok let's handle your temp problem first. How long has the water been in there? Are you sure when you filled it you didn't just put water in that was already that temp? Sometimes water feels cool but it is actually in the 80's because our body temp is over 90 degrees so 80 degree water will feel cool.
I figure that's all it is. You can add cold water to it to get the temp down and see if it shoots back up again though.
Check out the freshwater forums and look at the cycling stickies and stuff. It'll make a huge difference in getting your tank running
Ok let's handle your temp problem first. How long has the water been in there? Are you sure when you filled it you didn't just put water in that was already that temp? Sometimes water feels cool but it is actually in the 80's because our body temp is over 90 degrees so 80 degree water will feel cool.
I figure that's all it is. You can add cold water to it to get the temp down and see if it shoots back up again though.
Check out the freshwater forums and look at the cycling stickies and stuff. It'll make a huge difference in getting your tank running
Hi Taylee3,
I also have a 10 gallon set up. I find if I leave the light on for a long period of time, the temp goes up 2 or 3 degrees. I usually keep the light on for a few hours and then shut it off. The set up I bought was a kit already put together with tank, hood, light heater and filter. Try keeping the light off for awhile and see if that affects the temperature. I wouldn't put fish in it just yet. The tank has to be cycled (you have to create some good bacteria). Check on this site on some posts of how to do it. Thats how I learned. You could put 1 hardy fish in (molly for example) and then in a few weeks add another one. I did the fishless cycle where you add ammonia to the water little each day and check the levels of ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. My 36 gallon tank took 6 weeks to complete the fishless cycle. A 10 gallon wont take nearly that amount of time! Good luck!
I also have a 10 gallon set up. I find if I leave the light on for a long period of time, the temp goes up 2 or 3 degrees. I usually keep the light on for a few hours and then shut it off. The set up I bought was a kit already put together with tank, hood, light heater and filter. Try keeping the light off for awhile and see if that affects the temperature. I wouldn't put fish in it just yet. The tank has to be cycled (you have to create some good bacteria). Check on this site on some posts of how to do it. Thats how I learned. You could put 1 hardy fish in (molly for example) and then in a few weeks add another one. I did the fishless cycle where you add ammonia to the water little each day and check the levels of ammonia, nitrate and nitrite. My 36 gallon tank took 6 weeks to complete the fishless cycle. A 10 gallon wont take nearly that amount of time! Good luck!
Please do not add any fish until cycled. You wouldn't to harm your new friends would you?
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Moved your thread to this forum where you may get more answers. Agree with what others have posted. 48 hours is not enough time to cycle.
I'll echo what the others said...48 hours will not complete the cycle aka your fish will not be safe from harm. And please, do NOT get any pleco whatsoever. There is not a single species I know of that I would feel comfortable putting in a 10 gallon. Please read this before getting ANY fish!
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?84598-Freshwater-cycling
Now, for the temperature issue, what is the ambient room temp? If the temp outside the tank is hot then chances are the water will be too...
The lights could certainly be affecting the temp. I'm assuming this is a non planted tank, and in that case the lights only really need to be on for you to view the tank. I find that timers are a godsend in that regard, and they are cheap and easy to find at any home improvement type store.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?84598-Freshwater-cycling
Now, for the temperature issue, what is the ambient room temp? If the temp outside the tank is hot then chances are the water will be too...
The lights could certainly be affecting the temp. I'm assuming this is a non planted tank, and in that case the lights only really need to be on for you to view the tank. I find that timers are a godsend in that regard, and they are cheap and easy to find at any home improvement type store.
I agree with all the pps in regards to cycling your tank. There are, however, some plecos that grow no larger than 2" (LDA08 comes to mind first), and would be fine for a 10 gal tank. Do some research (PlanetCatfish is a good place to start) and find out what you can keep safely in a tank that size. AFTER you cycle your tank. Good luck.
Interesting, I've never come across those species before. Very cool!
But to add to that, chances are anything you find at a run-of-the mill store will be something too big.
But to add to that, chances are anything you find at a run-of-the mill store will be something too big.
Usually 10 gallon tanks have incandescent bulbs that they come with. When I had a 10 gallon tank, having the bulbs on during the day would increase my temperature as well. Look for aquarium fluorescent bulbs that can fit your tanks capacity. Petsmart has them, but I'm not too sure about Wal-Mart. For the time being you could add normal fluorescent bulbs but they do promote brown algae growth so I would suggest looking for aquarium bulbs.