Temperature

msjproper · 10-15-2006, 08:21 PM

I have a 36 gal fresh water tank, I just got water water tested and was told to do a 25% water change. I asked all nescessary questions as this is the first time I have done so, I had them walk me through at the store. We had a big problem, apprenently they must have forgotten to tell me to unplug everything. Now I realize this is commen knowledge, I did not unplug the heater and it burt and shorted out. I did get all of the parts out before it went to far, but no I am out of a heater. What shall I do now? How do I get the water temp up. I also have ick in my tank and scaleless fish, that I am treating, so temp is very important. It is sunday at 8:20, no one is open to get one. Any suggestions? I am sick over what happened.

Loman · 10-15-2006, 09:07 PM

msjproper,
Welcome to the form

Sorry to hear about your problems

Without a heater the tank will eventually seek to the ambient temperature. If you can do anything to keep that up then you can keep the tank temperature up. One word of caution though - I would favor a relatively constant temperature over a fluctuating one so I would not try anything that overheated the tank then let it cool down and repeat. I do not know where you live but around here we have walmart and meijer which both caring heaters and they are open 24 hours at locations. If you can get a new heater that would be best. BTW - it sounds like you are fairly new to the hobby. I really prefer the submersible heaters because they are a bit more resilient etc. You also have more options for how to place them. I think they are well worth the extra money

msjproper · 10-15-2006, 09:26 PM

Thank you for your advice. I don't have a 24 hour anything here, not at least with in 45 minutes. I have 2 small children, that won't work. Anyways, do you think that my fish will all be dead in the morning? I added stress coat once I got all of the water added back in after about an hour, I added ick guard, in another hour I will add amquel plus (for nitrate removal). Do you think this is too much too add? I thought it might be best to at least not overwhelm them with all at once. Also, I guess I have just become a worry wort, we have invested so much in this tank in the last 2 1/2 years. We are losing fish left and right every few months, and not sure why. We have become attached to seeing our favorites, that we hate to flush... if you know what I mean! We had a tube heater for the tank, the one that just busted, what do you suggest I get and what do you suggest I do to make sure that nothing is done wrong again. Is it ok to unplug everything for an hour or so? How much time do I allow after I shut everything down and then starting the water change?
Thanks for everything!

Loman · 10-15-2006, 09:57 PM

msjproper,
If we were just talking about the heater I would not be all that concerned. I assume your house is in the general area of 70 degrees (give or take a few degrees) The tank will cool down to the temperature in the room overtime but it should take a little while. A month or so ago I forget to plug my heater back in after a water change

and realised that a week or so later and did not loose any fish (and that was my salt tank) IMO The temperature change will not outright kill any fish but it will add stress to an already stressed tank. Will this be just over the limit - no one can really tell. It sounds like you have been having some problems with the tank. Ick can be hard to eradicate but I am sensing that it might be more than that. Do you know what your water parameters are. The ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, levels and anything else you may know from the water test would help us help you. A brief history of the tank and the contents etc. would also be useful. You said they recommended a 25% water change which was your first one in 2 1/2 years. That seems like a very long time which may be contributing to water quality issues and causing some of the apparent problems. How long have you been battling ick and what are using?

In terms of a heater they see ones that clip on the back with the control unit that sits out of the water (I suspect that may be what you had). For a few dollars more you can get one that is submersible so the whole unit goes in the water including the control and a wire comes out. I prefer these for many reasons but the one that jumps to mind now is that you can mount it horizontally about two thirds down in the tank. With the exception of massive water changes you do not encounter the problem that you just did. (You also do not have to remember to plug it back in - my personal challenge) They also trend to be just a bit more rugged and durable in all regards.

It sounds like you are dumping a lot of chemicals into the tank. Often times the folks at the store suggest this because it is money for them. IMO most problems need to be addressed at the root cause and not just keep treating the symptoms which many of these chemical do. I also shy away from many of the meds because they can accumulate and become toxic if overused. That said I probably would not change my routine tonight. Often times a rapid change is more harmful than any given condition

Most people when they start out make a few mistakes. All you can do is learn from them. I know I had my share of disasters. Don't get too discouraged

Jay · 10-16-2006, 07:45 AM

Hi msjproper, We are pleased you joined our Forums

Loman:

Quote:

It sounds like you are dumping a lot of chemicals into the tank. Often times the folks at the store suggest this because it is money for them. IMO most problems need to be addressed at the root cause and not just keep treating the symptoms which many of these chemical do. I also shy away from many of the meds because they can accumulate and become toxic if overused. That said I probably would not change my routine tonight. Often times a rapid change is more harmful than any given condition

Good advice!!

Well its morning here and I hope your fish are still ok.

You need to post a complete set of tank parameters and as Loman suggested a description of your water change and maintenance routine.

Stop dumping chemicals into the tank randomly, you are going to mask issues we need to identify if we are going to help you.

Another 25% water change today, with replacement water at the correct temp, will not hurt you. I would normally recommend 50%, but I think you have too many additives in the tank and that amount of change could cause even more problems.

Get back to us soon!

Regards,
Jay

Loman · 10-16-2006, 06:57 PM

msjproper,

I am almost afraid to ask but how did things fair last night?