How to keep tank warm in the winter?

[Theman273]

I've gone out of town twice since it started getting cold here in ID. Both times I've dropped the room temp to around 60, I have a 300w heater on a 65gal tank, but when I come back the water temp is really low(~58°) I've tried putting a blanket over the tank, and adjusting the heater, but neither have worked. Any suggestions on mitigating the cold while away?

 

[Oblio]

Is your heater regulating properly at normal room temps?

Is the heater on when the tank is cold during cold room temps, does it remain on?

How old is your heater?

 

[Theman273]

Yes, normally the heater, which is less than a year old, keeps the tank around 78-80. Yes, the heater is on while we are away when the room is cold

 

[enricosonic]

When you're home, what is your typical indoor temperature?

We had sub-freezing temps here for about a week (last week), the house temp at night gets to low 60s, but my tank temp did not change, not even a degree. It's a fairly new set-up so I check it every morning and night.

Is it possible your room temp is dropping below 60°?

 

[Theman273]

Normally we keep the room between 70-75. The room did go below the 60° set at some point over the week we were gone.

 

[enricosonic]

Even though the heater is not old, seems it could be faulty/not up to the task.

 

[Kayanarka]

I have a 300 watt in my tank and another 300 watt in my sump. The sump only comes on if temp drops below the display tank low end setting. You might want a second heater to act as a backup when Temps get too low.

 

[GaryE]

I believe, and could be wrong, that most heaters are designed to keep the water 6c above room temperature. So you have been pushing it. Even insulating the tank won't help for a matter of days. The 2nd heater idea is good, but you have to balance what it costs tankwise vs keeping the ambient temps higher.

 

[Finn6419]

Hi everyone;
Here I can tell you some ways by which you can warm your fish tank are;

• Use strong lights.
• Use a heating mat.
• Cover the tank with blankets and towels.

 

[Essjay]

Using a heating mat is not recommended for aquariums as they can damage the bottom pane of glass. Heaters which sit in the water are a better option.
LED lights, which are the most common nowadays, emit a lot less heat than fluorescent tubes. And strong light is better avoided with fish which prefer dim light.

Wrapping the tank is the better way to retain heat, though they won't create heat.