Water Temperature

This week, we’re going to talk about water temperature.

Like with pH, different fish need different temperatures to be healthy and happy, but it is very important that the water temperature be consistent. Rapid fluctuations in temperature can cause physical stress to fish. If you recall, when a fish gets too stressed, it can die. So, with the shadow of sudden death looming over your fish, what do you do? Simple: get an aquarium heater.

Above: 110V 200W Watt Submersible Aquarium Fish Tank Water Heater

Aquarium heaters are available in a variety of types, sizes, and prices. If you’re in the market for one, make sure you research the reliability of the brand – a poor quality heater may overheat the water. There is less dissolved oxygen in warmer waters, meaning your fish can and will suffocate. Of course, it’s possible to avert this problem with the proper equipment, but it’s best not to risk overheating your fish, anyway.

Higher temperatures may present problems for some of your tank inhabitants, but tank temperatures constantly changing in degrees too much up or down in short periods of time seems to be more of a threat. If you are having extreme problems of constantly fluctuating temperatures, that vary more than four degrees or better, up or down, one of the first solutions is to add a chiller. Chillers allow you to keep warmer or cooler temperatures at a precise setting at all times.

Above: Aqu-indirect Chiller

Now, what temperature should the water be at? The vast majority of tropical freshwater fish prefer a water temperature of 76 to 78º Fahrenheit. Some species like cooler water and some prefer warmer water, but this range generally works well.

Above: a discus

For pond fish (such as goldfish), the water needs to be a bit cooler. Most aquarium hobbyists recommend that pond fish be kept in an environment with a temperature between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

With saltwater, it gets a bit tricky. Some aquarium hobbyists say that keeping your saltwater tank between 75 and 77 degrees is best, some say 75-80 degrees, and others say 80-85 degrees or higher. The truth is somewhere in the middle: fishes and corals from different parts of the world have different temperature preferences. Thus, to ensure the lowest possible stress levels for fish, one should pick fishes and corals that are native to a specific part of the globe, and decide an ideal temperature for the tank based on their research of their chosen area.

Still, opinions on this topic tend to vary from person to person, though it is generally agreed upon that any fish exposed to dramatic changes in water temperatures will become stressed (which, again, may kill the fish). However, with gradual acclimation and a skilled caretaker, fish are hardy, enduring creatures that are built to adapt to their environment.

That’s it for this week’s edition of Fish N Tips. Stay tuned for more next week! 

Sources:

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/choosing-aquarium-equipment9.htm

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/aquariummaintenancecare/a/aatanktemps.htm