Temperature

[imatrout]

I have 8 discus ranging in size from 4-6 inches, basically adolescents. I keep them in a 150 gallon heavily planted tank. I am having a very hard time regulating temperature. My goal is to keep the them between 82-84 degrees constantly. I use two 350 watt Hydor heaters.

My problem is that I keep getting a drift down to 81 degrees on cool nights. If I turn the haters up, the PC lighting (for the plants) raises the temp to 86+. I know that 86+ is okay for discus, but it's bad for plants. On the other hand, 81 degrees is good for the plants and not good for the discus.

Here's the question(s)

Am I worrying too much about the temp falling to 81 - 81.5 degrees for a few hours every night? It never goes below that.

Is it better to have a single huge heater than 2 smaller ones to regulate drift?

Are my Hydor heaters junk? If so, suggestions?

Comments?

Thanks all!

[White Worm]

On cool nights, wrap tank with comforter when you put them to bed for the night. Depending on location of tank, if it is up against an outside wall, you could use styrofoam sheet for back of tank which would keep heat in also. It can be hard to sync two heaters. Mike
PS, 81-82 isnt going to harm them. Some keep their breeders close to that temp. 82-86 temp swing is not bad as long as it is not instantly. Temp changes happen in nature that way and if you want to breed, cool water works.

[hexed]

Your temp is ok. I always have two heaters in my tanks, one set acouple degrees less then the other. This way if one burns out the other will come on. I am going to put 3 300 watt heaters in my 150 gallon 2 set the same and one a few less.
When I went away for the weekend my heater died in my 30 gallon and the discus were fine in 70 degree water for the 3 and a half days.
I want to see pics of your tank, pics pics pics ;)
Frank

[scans]

Multiple smaller heaters is better than 1 big one. Even better to place them on opposite sides of the tank.

[Riche_guy]

Here is an idea. Go to Home Depot and pick up those insulated blankets used to cover air ducts. They are made of aluminum and have little air pockets for insulation. At night you could place that around the aquarium to keep the heat in.

Let us know what you decide to do and as mentioned, pictures please! Oh ya, without the insulation! LOL!

[imatrout]

Here's some pictures: Why won't it let me upload more than one?

[imatrout]

Here another

[imatrout]

And another

[imatrout]

And one more

[RyanH]

Gorgeous tank! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Jarrod]

Stunning tank!! gorgeous

[Cosmo]

WOW !!

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL :) :) :)

I'd suggest adding another heater.. with a 150 you should be running somewhere around 750 watts give or take... if not more. This should help stabilize the temps at night but shouldn't effect the impact of the lights during the day..

I have 4 250watt Stealth heaters hooked to a controller on my 180, and the temp stays very stable.

Love the tank :)

Jim

[Westie]

I've tried the best and have always had fluctuation in temp. But, like said before, a degree or two won't kill your babies.

[Riche_guy]

That is an amazing tank!! I strive to have something like that. would you say you are a plant expert??? Nice.:p

[imatrout]

Well, I got a Ranco ETC Temp Controller. I'll crank the heaters up all the way and connect them to the controller. Wish me luck, I'll ket you know how it turns out.

[scans]

The controllers work great for our applications.


And that tank is beautiful !

[Beth]

Awsome!!!

[pcsb23]

Nice, nice tank. I do like planted display tanks. I'd add another heater btw, so run three, that should give you more stability.

Paul.

[discussmith]

Don't crank the heaters all the way up. Set them at 90 or so. Then you can raise controller temp if needed for treatment but won't cook fish if controller fails on.

[imatrout]

Don't crank the heaters all the way up. Set them at 90 or so. Then you can raise controller temp if needed for treatment but won't cook fish if controller fails on.

Good catch! I'll be sure to do that.

[imatrout]

Awsome!!!


I am a native New Orleanean , but now live in Arizona. I hope you and you family faired well in the storm Mrs Tony_S. This whole thing has wretched my heart over the condition of my people in Louisiana.

Thanks for the compliment!

[imatrout]

Thank all of you for the compliments. However, if you want to see REALLY nice planted tanks, head on over to:

www.aquaticplantcentral.com

There are tanks that are waaaaaayyyyy nicer than mine!

[mikechen]

Wonderful tank you got! I just love the bubbles on your plants. So Amazing I wish I could have one like yours.


________________________________
Mike Chen

[Breadhead]

Thank all of you for the compliments. However, if you want to see REALLY nice planted tanks, head on over to:

www.aquaticplantcentral.com

There are tanks that are waaaaaayyyyy nicer than mine!

Yep, couldn't agree more... learned almost everything I know about planted tanks there... Great people and a great resource.

[zelmo]

I was having the same problem with fluctuating temperatures. The lights would get the temp up about 6 degrees over the setting of the heaters. I solved it by putting a fan in the canopy that turns on with the lights. The only downside is that it increased evaporation.

The two 350W heaters are fine for a 150.