Winter Temps

[Beestie]

This is my first winter with them and I'm having trouble keeping my temps up. I'm running two 250w heaters set to 29c but my temps are running between 26-28c as we are having our first cold spell. This morning it was at 24c, not good. I am going to insulate (was using a blanket) the tank more and put the canister inside a cooler box to try and conserve heat. Room temp was 14c this morning. Tank is holding 220L of water so 500w should be enough.

I've looked at fish rooms here and see that you guys use insulation that looks like bubble wrap with foil over it, is that the way to go in winter?

[ksuyen]

I usually don't have this problem because my room where the tank is, is heated during winter. Is your tank somewhere in the house where it is usually cold during winter? I also use inline heater, not sure if that make any differences.

[DJW]

I use rigid foam insulation board, 3/4" thick. It cuts easily and you can spray-paint it. We let our house get chilly at night as well, so it takes either more wattage or good insulation to keep the temp.

[Beestie]

Thanks for the replies, I've got some lying in the garage somewhere and will try it tonight. Our houses in Cape Town isn't heated as it doesn't get too cold, and running a normal heater throughout the night is a bit dodgy. The fish doesn't seem bothered about it but I don't want to give them ideas.

[rickztahone]

The discus can be in 28F no problem. So, insulate the tanks, and if you can, get some good lids for the tanks that keeps a lot of the humidity in.