LiveBearer Fan Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 I have two small platy (less than an inch) and two 1-inch molly fishes. I have a heater inside the aquarium with a setting of 78 degrees. If the water rises to 80+ should I unplug the heater or allow it to cycle? The light on the heater is green, indicating a cool down cycle; however, the water temp reads 82.9 degrees. One of my platys is sitting at the top near the bubbles from the air stone. Is she is gasping for oxygen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 I would turn the heater down to 74 - 75 degrees and see when it cuts off on its own. Thermometers and heaters are both fairly inaccurate when it come to temperature. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveBearer Fan Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 Thank you Daniel. It is, unfortunately, a thermometer with a preset. It cannot be adjusted. It simply cycles between heating and dormant if I am not mistaken. It is this model: TopFin Compact Heater, CH50. Sounds like I need a more advanced heater. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 Maybe so, how warm does the water feel to your hand? Also it is always good to check with a second thermometer. And platys are okay with temperatures in the low 70s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaAmanda Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 I have one automatic one I really like - Tetra brand, it's a 50W, it worked great in a 2.5 gal and now lives in a 8 gal to maintain a steady 76-78deg. I have another that is much less consistent - I find the inconsistency is much more pronounced in a tank on the smaller end of the recommended size range. Eg. the heater was rated for 2-10 gallons and the temperature swung pretty significantly in my 2.5 gallon (74-82) but it's staying steady in a 6 gallon. The Tetra one is glass, the less consistent one is all plastic. I'm not sure if it's the material that matters, or if the sensor quality is very different between them, but I don't think all set-temperature heaters are bad, and one that seems bad in one aquarium may work in another aquarium. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveBearer Fan Posted December 7, 2020 Author Share Posted December 7, 2020 @Daniel, I placed a couple of fingers in the water. It is nowhere near hot. It was actually kind of cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 Fingers are pretty good thermometers. To me 70° feels cool-ish and 80° feels warm-ish 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Burke Posted December 7, 2020 Share Posted December 7, 2020 1 hour ago, Daniel said: Fingers are pretty good thermometers. To me 70° feels cool-ish and 80° feels warm-ish That’s my early warning system 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiveBearer Fan Posted December 9, 2020 Author Share Posted December 9, 2020 Thank you, all, for your guidance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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