Temperature Change In Tank

[mluntz]

I am replacing my Eheim Jager heater at this moment. It runs constantly and the tank temperature is down to 74 degrees. My new Jager is acclimating to the tank temperature as we speak. I have it set for 80 degrees. Is too fast a temperature change going to stress the fish and corals? Thanks

 

[A1t2o]

Yes, that is an issue. Raise the temp by 2 degrees at a time over 36 hours, so 12 hours per 2 degrees. I might be overly cautious there, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Cymonous]

I highly doubt it will hurt the fish. This is just like when you temp acclimate new fish when they are brought home from the fish store or bought online.

I highly doubt the water will spike up that quickly and 80 degrees is not that hot for fish.

 

[sde1500]

I've done a water change before and forgot to let the water heat up enough. 10 gallon nano and a 20% water change. The tank dropped by 4 or 5 degrees and came back in a couple hours. My clown was stressed but came through just fine.

 

[cloak]

The floor and the ceiling in my tank are about 76-85 throughout the year. As long as this variation doesn't change TOO quick in a matter of seconds everything is gravy. The routine is just that, a routine...

 

[scooter31707]

I think you will be ok. IMO, I would set it for 78, then wait 24hrs and set it to 80. I don't know if I would go 6 degrees. 46 gallons won't take that long to heat up.

 

[homer1475]

Depends on what your inhabitants are used to. If the old heater has only been keeping the tank at 74, I would go slowly up to where you want it. If their used to it being 80 then I would just plug it in.

During my water change my tank drop 5 or 6 degrees. I turn everything back on and the tank jumps up within a matter of an hour or 2. Never even gave it a thought.

 

[mluntz]

Interestingly enough I bought a new heater and had the same issue going on. I initially set it for 78 degrees and 24 hours later it had never shut off. I went to my LFS and purchased a new digital thermometer and low and behold the temperature in the tank was 86 degrees with the new thermometer. The old one said 75.7. Unbelievable!

 

[thegrun]

You should always calibrate a new heater's thermometer with a trusted thermometer, I use a good lab grade thermometer. The Eheim heaters have an adjustable bezel that allow you to do just that, calibrate their thermometer.

 

[Ogi]

I live in Australia and my temp fluctuates from 25"c which is what my heaters are set to right up to 28-30 in a single afternoon and everything is fine. P.s smaller chillers are over a grand here so I try to use fans to cool it.