Heaters?

[sgstvoy]

Are heaters nesscary for a fish tank in a tropical environment? (I live in the tropics).

 

[eudielynn]

You would need to let us know a little more. What kind of fish are you wanting? Some require higher temperatures than others, etc.

 

[WILDER]

It's best to have one as you don't want the tempreture going up and down it's best to keep it stable or the fish will get stressed causing desease.

 

[bodyshop20]

well done all you boffins, Do you know a river or lake thats temp is so constant?
I live in London uk cold and hot, And none of my tanks have heaters, House is warm enough to keep aquarium warm enough.
And by the way, Im a marine biologist, So i think i know what im on about.
Living in the tropics, Dont even think about a heater

 

[gadazobe]

" well done all you boffins, Do you know a river or lake thats temp is so constant? "

No need for that remark - so what if you're a marine biologist, it doesn't mean that you have to be so arrogant.

How do you know that sgstvoy hasn't got air conditioning that keeps the temp of the house very low?

 

[LoachLover]

Are heaters nesscary for a fish tank in a tropical environment? (I live in the tropics).

Yes you SHOULD have one, it's just a wise thing to do.

 

[leafs]

What's a boffin?

 

[The-Wolf]

What's a boffin?

In the slang of the UK, boffins are scientists, engineers, and other people who are stereotypically seen as engaged in technical or scientific research. The word conjures up images of older men in thick spectacles and white lab coats working with complicated chemical apparatus.

And I aggree you should have a heater wherever you reside, just in case.

 

[leafs]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I also agree that a heater should be used. Better to be constant than to flucuate and possible getting ick.

 

[annka5]

Just to add... Your tank is unlikely to be the depth or size of a river or lake, therefore will cool down / heat up more quickly than either of those would. Further, your fish are going to be kept in a ore unnatural environment - at the end of the day, it will always be a glass box, with higher stocking levels, and my fish are too stupid to know there are no predators in their glass box - so likely unavoidably more stressfull to start with.
HOWEVER, if the room your tank will be in fluctuates no more than a couple of degrees and stays in the temp range for the species (unlikely), I'd say, don't get a heater.

 

[sgstvoy]

My tanks are in a place where relitively few drafts and temperature changes. I don't have air-conditioning (I'm sensitive to cold), ao that won't be a problem.

 

[nc_nutcase]

Unheated/cooled water will remain at room temperature. So ask yourself... does the 'room temperature' in your home fluctuate drastically (spring/fall nights maybe?)? Also is your room temperature always above 74 and below 83? (Substitute these temperatures for your fish's preferred temp if different). If not, then you are safe, if unsure... better safe than sorry.

Personally I would get one and put it in the aquarium as a safety precaution. They only come on when the water is below what they are set for. So it is very possible that you will connect it and it will never come on... but more likely it will only come on at night or in the winter. It's a relatively inexpensive safety net in my opinion...

Heck, if you are confident in your local temperatures why not build a big ole pond in the back yard. The larger the body of water the more stable the temperature will be and the more/bigger fish you can raise. I would love to grow baby Oscars in the aquariums to 6-8 inches then have a huge pond out back to toss them in and start over… you looking to adopt an older/younger brother by any chance?

 

[LoachLover]

What's a boffin?

Don't feel bad, I don't know what it is either

 

[rdd1952]

I had not used heaters on my betta tanks (2.5 and 5 gallons) until just recently. With the furnace running in the winter, the tanks stayed about 76 degrees all the time without heaters. With summer coming and knowing that the AC will be on, I decided to add heaters to ensure that the temp didn't drop too low. As inexpensive as heaters are, if you have tanks that are decent size, why not have them. If the room temperature keeps the tanks at the proper temp, then the heaters won't ever have to come on but they will be there if their needed.