OMG I left my heater off

[skimpy]

I have been so stupid. Yesterday afternoon when i did my water change I accidently forgot to turn my heater back on in my baby tank.

I just noticed. The water temp has dropped to 70 F, it usually runs at 78-79 F (it is at the lowest on the green OK bit on the thermometer, it didn't quite go into the danger zone)

It is turned back on now and is slowly climbing (its at 72 F).

Is there anything else I should do. I thought of adding some hot water but I didn't want to shock the babies, I though that the heater would help it climb more gradually.

All but one baby are swimming round OK and eating OK. One is alive but sits on the bottom alot.

I am so angry with myself for being so careless.

What do you think - any suggestions.

 

[~FairyAngelFish~]

u could put warm water in lol I actually heated some water in the microwave for like 10 seconds (during a water change) and then mixed it around so there werent any hot spots, because my tanks water is quite cool...

 

[skimpy]

Would that not heat it up too quickly, I am concerned because they are only babies.

 

[~FairyAngelFish~]

I don't really know haha I don't even have a heater! I don't even have a thermometer, sorry. I just did it to make the water feel more comfortable than cold, my mom told me that if fast changes in temperatures harm the fish. but u know that lol

 

[fraservet]

I wouldn't do anything

Just let the heater slowly bring the tank back up to temperature

 

[FishDan]

I think that in nature water can get cooler and that probably your fish will be fine. After a hard rain, for example, water temp can drop several degrees. Just let your water warm up slowly, and my guess is that your fish will be okay.

Good luck!

\Dan

 

[skimpy]

Ok I have spoken to my lfs guy, (who is a good one) and I will post this incase it helps out anyone else who has this problem.

He said that sudden rises and drops in temp can weeken the fish and could cause white spot if you are unlucky.

However in my case the water should have dropped very slowly to room temp while the heater was off and sudden drops in temp are the most harmful, the slower the drop the better. Now having turned my heater on the water will raise quicker than it dropped but raising the temp can be a little quicker without so much harm.

One week ago I put in my monthly general tonic which he says stays active for approx 2 weeks so this should help the immunity of the fish and hopefully make them less susceptable to white spot.

Would be interested in anyone who agrees/disagrees with this.

Hopefully my babies should all be ok. I'll just keep a close eye on them.

If they did get something like white spot because of this - How long before symptons would show???

Thanks in advance for any answers.

 

[skimpy]

Thanks Fraservet and Fishdan

 

[jams.alaskan]

I would agree with the information that you got from the lfs. Everything should be just fine...

ALASKA

 

[Inchworm]

Hi skimpy

You are fortunate to have an lfs man who gives good advice! I agree with almost everything he said.

It would be best to control the warming of your tank too. Just adjust the temperature, a little at a time, until it is the same as before rather than plugging it in and letting it go. While fish can tolerate a range of temperatures, it is the suddenness of the changes that weaken them. A quick rise in temperature is one of the stresses that can make your fish prone to bacterial infections.

 

[skimpy]

Thanks Inchworm & jams.alaskan

I do seem to have lost one baby sadly, but he/she was very small possibly weaker than the others

The others so far seem fine. If a bacteria infection or whatever was to kick in because of my error, how long before I know I am safe?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi skimpy

I wish I could answer that question. The best thing you can do is try to keep things stable in the tank. Do your daily water changes and feed them nutritious food. In other words, try to build them up and make them strong.

As far as the bacterial infections, if a week goes by with no sign of a problem, I think you might be in the clear. Perhaps someone else can advise you about how long it will take ich to show up.

 

[skimpy]

Thanks very much Inchworm

If anyone else does know how long before I am in the clear, I would appreciate the advice.

 

[Link]

I'd leave it alone. The water will warm up soon enough. If you warm it up too quick it will make things worse