Heater confusing

[Sharlene1385]

Ok, so we have this heater I've used with a turtle and have been using in tank. But I'm running into a small problem. I had the heater set to keep the water at 80F with 1 clear light over top. At least, I think I had it set, it stayed that way for a few days. Now, I changed and added 2 blue lights (only lights that where avalible at time that fits the hood) and now the water jumps to 82 F while lights are on, and drops to 80 when lights are off. The lights are 25 watts (that's what hood takes) and I'm trying to get this dumb heater set to keep it at 80F or even a tad bit lower 24/7. Heater has little instructions that have dissappeard and its a Therma-Flo Sub. Works nice but is confusing. Just has a plus and minus marks. When at - location, heater pilot light never comes on, thus not adding any heat. Does not cool tank. When at + mark, it heats to certain temp and shuts off. The farther you get from the + mark, the wamer it gets. I'm trying to work with it now and find out what each mark is in Temp. so far 3rd mark from + mark is the first to start heating, and seems to be at 62F. 4th mark I believe is 68F. I found this out by testing in container of cold water to see what temp to get it at.

So the question is, whats the best way to set this thing and keep it at 78-80 constantly, without the light effecting it? Do I just keep finding the temps out and then set it at one temp lower then 80 so when lights on it only goes to 80? I'm confused, I want digital but my pocket books say no. Ok, I'm a computer nerd that hugs the digital clock. lol

 

[cutechic]

It sounds like the way you have it now is fine. IMO, a 2 degree change in temperature will not stress the fish, because after the lights are turned on or off, the water is heated very gradually.

With most heaters, you set the thermostat to the temperature you want your tank to remain at. When the water temperature reaches that level (for any reason), the heater turns itself off until the water temperature is lowered. I'm not sure what you should do with your heater, sorry.

 

[Sharlene1385]

See thats what I though, that it would be set to say 80 and if water drops it'll warm it up to 80 again. But it doesn't. I think I got it set at 80, it stayed there for 2 days with lights on and off. But then, the night of the 2nd day, I noticed it was at 82. And is 80 in the morning before turning lights on. Should I drop the heater to 78ish to give leeway up to 82? I want to get platties and red Phantom Tetras, and the temps for them I find are Tetra - 68-82 and the Platy at 75-82. So I'm wondering, I know they can have it up to 82, but wouldn't it be better to keep it a tad lower, in the middle more to keep the tank from over heating with the lights? Did I make any sence in that sentence? lol. I did drop it a bit last night, but again, it was only at 80. THis heater is confusing, I can't tell what temp each mark is, and it seems to change its self.


edit- I GOT IT! I did it!. lol. I think. I lowered my tank temp with some ice and cold water to get it to 75, then in separate container I got the heater to stay and heat ONLY to 76. So I put heater back in and it emiediatly started to heat it to 1 degree higher. lol. Anyway, I figured at 75-76 I have room for temp raising, because yesterday it was up to 86 with light on! So now, if at 76 if it raises 6 degrees, I'm safe, it stops at 82. I think it rose this morning to 80 with light on. Thinking of leaving on light off till about 6 p.m and turning light off at bed time. I don't have live plants-- actually don't have any plants till tomorrow when I get the fish. Ran out of money and forgot I didn't have any old plants. lol. The room is well lighted, so with the blue lights you can't tell they are on if untill about 5 or 6 p.m. with us not waking up till 9-10 a.m. So the tank doesn't need a whole lot of light/heat. It seems to heat a lot more the longer it's on, so cutting down time should help keep temp resonable and keep away nasty algae.

If I'm wrong, let me know, but does it sound good? I hope? lol

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Sharlene1385

IMHO, a 6 degree fluctuation is way too much. While it might not show any immediate effect, the stress it causes is apt to weaken the fish and leave them susceptible to disease such as ich or Columnaris.

What kind of bulbs does your hood use? If they are incandescent, try using 15 watt instead of 25. Or, take one of them out. It will make a difference.

Just because there is a temperature range indicated for particular fish does not mean that they can tolerate temperature fluctuations within it. It's best to keep it steady with no variations in excess of 1 or 2 degrees.