How to regulate the temperature in an aquarium. What water temperature should be in the aquarium for fish and how to maintain it constant and optimal

Temperature regime is an important component of life aquatic life, so you need to monitor the temperature of the water in the aquarium for the fish so that they do not get sick and are happy. Houses most often contain tropical representatives of the fish family, which means that the temperature regime must be quite high, otherwise the pets may die.

The temperature regime is an important component of the life of aquatic inhabitants.

General information

Fish lack receptors that can maintain body temperature, as they are cold-blooded. Therefore, their health directly depends on the conditions that the environment offers them. If they are optimal and there are no sudden changes in temperature, then the pets feel great, actively move and give positive emotions to his master.

But with a sharp decrease in the indicator to an alarming level, the activity of the fish drops, they look lethargic. At the same time, immunity also leaves much to be desired, and pets can get sick or catch some kind of infection. Very often this leads to sad consequences. In addition, with a constant deviation from the optimal water temperature for fish in an aquarium, their life cycle becomes shorter. This way they die much faster.

With a sharp decrease in the temperature indicator to an alarming mark, the activity of the fish decreases, they look lethargic.

If the temperature is too high, this leads to the growth of bacteria, while the water may become cloudy. The behavior of the fish looks aggressive. The fact is that at high t, the oxygen content drops, which means that the waste products decompose more slowly, thereby greatly polluting the environment. Pets have hypoxia, they float to the surface and gasp for air. So, it's time to urgently take measures to reduce the temperature of the water.

Optimal Performance

When thinking about what the water temperature should be in an aquarium, it is important to consider the type of pets. Because each fish needs special conditions of detention. And you need to know this when adding new residents.

The optimum is considered to be an indicator of 25 degrees Celsius. This is the normal regimen for most popular fish species found in domestic waters. But there are those who are suitable for cooler conditions. So, Neons feel great at 18-22 degrees. Due to this, their life cycle is significantly increased, but some people like it “hotter”, for example, Petushki and Gourami prefer t of 27-30 degrees.

Neons feel great at 18-22 degrees.

Monitoring and regulation

In order to prevent temperature fluctuations, it is important to monitor the regime, this can be done using aquarium thermometers. . They are of several types:

mercury;
liquid crystal;
electronic;
alcoholic.

It is best to choose submersible specimens, they are the most accurate. Thermometers are attached to the suction cups, in the middle or closer to the bottom of the aquarium. Their only drawback is in the method of attachment, because suction cups often come across of poor quality, which means that the device will fall. In addition, some fish themselves like to throw off the thermometer.

Water heaters are used for regulation. They look like a glass bulb with a metal spring inside. At the top there is a lever and divisions, the heater must be set to the required mode and it will heat the water. But it's important to remember that when cleaning the aquarium, the device must be unplugged from the mains, because it is forbidden to get out of the water when it is turned on, it may burst.

Decrease by improvised means

Often in the summer it becomes especially hot in the apartment, from environment the reservoir also heats up, which is unacceptable. On sale there are special refrigeration units and coolers. But the former are quite expensive, while the latter are ineffective. Therefore, we have to look for ways to cool the water with improvised materials.

Of course, it is good to have a split system in the apartment that cools the entire room to the desired level, but not everyone has air conditioning in the house. The water temperature can be lowered with cold water if a change is made. But this method does not last long. It is much easier to just freeze bottled water and use them when needed. This option also has disadvantages:

But even with these shortcomings, the method can be considered optimal. In addition, measures must be taken to saturate the water with oxygen.

For this you can:

Turn on the additional compressor.
Dilute hydrogen peroxide in a container, at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. for a 100 liter volume. This method will further disinfect the water.

Additional access to oxygen will make it easier for pets to endure heat, and will also delay the growth of bacteria. This will help organic waste be recycled faster so as not to pollute the water.

Many fish breeders face many problems at first. The main challenge is the choice of volume, since most people live in apartments and have a small living area. Having decided on the size of the aquarium and having installed it, they begin to gradually equip the fish house. And here it is especially important to pay attention to the equipment.

Pet stores have a wide range of aquarium equipment and accessories. Many, having bought everything they need, often forget about heaters. If in summer there are practically no problems with maintaining the water temperature, then in the cold season, hypothermia can cause the death of fish. In order to figure out what kind of heater you need, we first determine what temperature should be in the aquarium.

Temperature regime

On average, the water temperature should be 18-25°C. These figures are the norm in winter period. In summer, however, it can rise to 30°, which is the maximum for the normal life of fish. If the threshold of 30 ° C is exceeded, the water needs to be cooled. To do this, aquarists purchase special "refrigerators", which are several small fans installed under the lid of the aquarium.

All experienced fish breeders know that optimum temperature water in the aquarium is from 18 ° C to 25 (27) ° C. In each case, it may change up or down, depending on the species composition of your aquarium. Therefore, in order to find out what temperature should be in the aquarium, pay attention to its inhabitants.

What to use for constant temperature control?

In order for the water to have a constant temperature, special heaters are used, popularly referred to as "heaters". Depending on their design, these devices may have an automatic regulator that is triggered if the water temperature drops below the set value. More simple models do not have this option, so their work must be under the control of the owner, who knows what temperature should be in the aquarium.

What are aquarium "warmers"

Most models of devices such as aquarium heaters consist of a glass body with a spiral sealed into it, which radiates heat when heated. More than once there have been cases when, when cleaning the aquarium, the heating pad slipped out of the hands and broke. Manufacturers, in order to avoid such situations, have invented new models that are more compact and do not break when hit. They are made of special alloys of plastic, which is heat resistant.

Thanks to such devices, having once set the value on the regulator, you will never have to monitor what temperature should be in the aquarium, as it will be constantly controlled by the heater.

From the foregoing, it follows that the temperature of the water in the aquarium is one of its main parameters. It is she who affects the metabolic processes occurring in the body of the fish. Now you know with what and how to maintain the temperature in the aquarium.

For all living beings, including fish, the most important condition for existence is the ambient temperature. It affects not only the environment, but also the chemical and biological processes that take place in animals and plants.

As for aquariums, they should have approximately the same temperature in all layers, otherwise both plants and fish may suffer. Since the upper layer of water is always higher than the lower one, therefore, the temperature should be measured not only on the surface of the water, but also on the ground. The water temperature regulator in the aquarium can be purchased at the store, or you can make it yourself, but you can’t do without it when breeding fish. Because some temperature changes for many species of fish can be deadly.

Optimal aquarium temperature

There are no fixed numbers that suit every aquarium, as the temperature depends on factors such as its inhabitants, plants, and the chosen maintenance regime. Range temperature regime for most fish is from 20 to 30 ° C, however, for each separate species fish should be maintained at the optimum temperature.

So the best range of constant temperature in an aquarium for guppies varies between 24-26 ° C, but some deviations are allowed - 23-28 ° C. At the same time, if the temperature drops below 14°C or rises above 33°C, then the fish will not survive.

For catfish, the temperature in the aquarium is optimal in the range from 18 to 28 ° C. However, the catfish is an unpretentious fish, therefore it can easily withstand significant deviations from these limits, but for a short time.

The temperature in the aquarium for, in principle, has a wide range. Optimal is 22-26 ° C, but they can easily tolerate a drop in temperature up to 18 ° C, but you need to lower it gradually, without sudden changes.

The optimum temperature in an aquarium for swordtails is 24-26°C, but since these fish are not demanding enough, they will calmly endure a temporary decrease to 16°C.

The recommended temperature in the aquarium should be between 25-27°C. Sometimes it can be increased by 1-2 degrees, but no more, since for most fish of this species a temperature of 29 ° C is fatal. At the same time, fish can tolerate a significant decrease in temperature even to 14 ° C quite calmly (of course, not very long time).

How to maintain the temperature in the aquarium?

The water temperature in the aquarium should be constant. Its fluctuations during the day are allowed within 2-4°C. Sharper drops can have a detrimental effect on the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Everyone knows that the temperature of the water in the aquarium corresponds to the temperature in the room. Therefore, when for some reason the room becomes excessively hot or cold, certain measures should be taken.

During the hot season, you will need the knowledge of how to lower the temperature in the aquarium. There are several ways to do this:

In the case when it is too cold in your apartment during the cold season, you should know how to increase the temperature in the aquarium. The simplest heater option is a heating pad with hot water. It must be placed between the heater and the side wall of the aquarium. But this is an emergency way of heating water, since it will not work to maintain the temperature of the water for a long time.

Each of the methods of raising or lowering the water temperature is good in its own way, and you should choose a specific one based on your specific needs.

Breeding ornamental fish is a very exciting business. However, if you decide to devote yourself to this interesting hobby, you should know a lot of details and subtleties (first of all, such as the required temperature in the aquarium). Beginners often make a number of mistakes when introducing fish. To avoid them, we advise you to carefully read this article.

On temperature limits for warm-water and cold-water inhabitants of reservoirs

Tropical and subtropical regions are not characterized by frequent changes in water and air parameters. In Southeast Asia, the air temperature range is the same throughout the year, sometimes fluctuating within 3 degrees Celsius (26-29 degrees), and the difference in water temperature is almost imperceptible. AT South America hot and humid, throughout the year t o air 25-28 degrees.

There are species of fish that prefer wide temperature ranges, and there are those that live only in a narrow range. Only the fry of most fish are resistant to temperature differences. When the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water decreases, all fish become less sensitive to temperature changes. Hydrobionts get used to high temperatures in a few days, and to cold ones in almost a month. For normal acclimatization, it is necessary to gradually increase t o by 1-2 degrees, and decrease by 0.5-1 degrees.

All types of fish have their own upper and lower threshold t o . Fish are sensitive to those parameters that go beyond the permissible limits. When the boundary is violated by a few degrees, the health of the fish deteriorates sharply. Frequent and sudden changes in temperature adversely affect the well-being of pets. To maintain an optimal temperature regime in the aquarium, you need to familiarize yourself with the permissible temperature regimes for warm-water and cold-water fish.

For warm water fish t o water below 18-20 degrees is considered unacceptable. At aquarium fish this category manages to survive in lower ranges for a long time. But this fish needs a lot of oxygen and space, good aeration is needed.

For cold-water fish, an unheated aquarium is suitable, 14-25 degrees is the maximum for them. They also need an abundance of dissolved oxygen.

What should be the water temperature in a home aquarium

In order for the inhabitants of home reservoirs to be comfortable, the temperature there must be at a certain level. And before you put a fish in your aquarium, you need to know what the natural conditions of its existence are (and most aquarium inhabitants come from the tropics).

The gradation of temperature parameters can be represented as follows:

Changes in temperature in a home pond in one direction or another from the optimal parameters are easier for aquarium inhabitants to tolerate if the water is sufficiently enriched with oxygen. The most difficult thing will be full fish - they need more air at any temperature difference. But with a sharp cooling, hungry fish will also suffer.

Ways to maintain the temperature in the aquarium

As already mentioned, special means are used for a constant temperature value. These funds are primarily intended for heating the aquarium. How much room temperature affects the aquarium, experienced aquarists know. The rest should remember ways to change the temperature balance of water in different time of the year:

not everyone knows that an aquarium refrigerator is used to lower the temperature;
if the apartment has air conditioning, then it will maintain the desired mode;
some amateurs blow the water surface with a fan;
if there is neither one nor the other, then ice can be used for cooling;
heating is carried out by a special heater;
when there is no desire to spend money on the purchase of equipment, you can use a regular heating pad.

Anyway man decides for himself how he will use to heat or cool the water in the aquarium. Using professional devices, there is a guarantee of correct temperature control.

Why is the right water temperature so important?

Fish are cold-blooded creatures, which means that their body temperature always depends on the ambient temperature. With an optimal indicator, the fish feel good, do not get sick and do not suffer from metabolic disorders. If the water is too cold, all processes in the body slow down, immunity drops sharply, the fish become inactive and prone to any infections.

With a strong heating of the water, metabolic processes are accelerated, the fish become very restless, they begin to consume a lot of oxygen and experience a lack of it. In this case, they swim to the surface, convulsively swallowing ordinary air. Death often occurs precisely because of oxygen deficiency. Sharp shifts in one direction or another affect the health of aquarium inhabitants even more strongly. Already with a difference of 3–4 °, a shock condition develops in fish, which very often leads to death.

How to help fish with overheating or hypothermia

AT extreme situations when, due to accidental failure of equipment, the optimal water temperature can be violated, there is very little time left to save the inhabitants. Therefore, action must be taken very quickly. But most often there is no spare heater at hand, and every minute is precious. Too cold water can be warmed up a little by adding warm, but not hot liquid so that the changes occur smoothly, by 2 ° C in 15-20 minutes.

Cichlids need to be kept in warm water, since this water temperature produces the release of enzymes for a rich body color and stimulates them to spawn. Cichlids have a high tolerance for both high and low temperatures but not more than 6 hours. The tank can maintain a medium temperature range. At an elevated temperature of cichlids, their color is quickly saturated, but they are depleted and live less.

At low temperatures, the color of cichlids fades, fry grow and develop slowly. Permissible temperature content of cichlids - 24-30 degrees. Limit - 24-27 degrees. For Tanganyika cichlids, the water should not be warmer than 29 degrees. In the treatment of certain diseases of cichlids, t o increase for a while.

Cichlids are indeed one of the hardiest fish in the aquarium, for a novice aquarist, many representatives of this family will be excellent pets. However, all types of fish require careful care, which should not be forgotten.

How to lower the temperature in a pond

A failed thermal sensor on a heating pad or close proximity to the heating system can cause a sharp increase in temperature in the aquarium. Even the sun's rays in the summer will quickly warm a home pond if it stands on the southern windowsill. Try to ensure that the water parameters do not exceed 30 0 C, otherwise the aquarium will turn into a kind of bowler hat.

It should be borne in mind that increasing the temperature is more contraindicated for aquarium fish than lowering it. Here, the presence of various nitrates in the composition of water, which are especially harmful at elevated temperatures, can also affect the poor health of aquatic inhabitants.

Temperature must be monitored

Experienced aquarists have long since secured themselves against such troubles as the need to lower or raise degrees. To keep fish within optimal temperature limits, the following rules should be taken as a basis.

Choose the “right” place for the aquarium: away from heaters, air conditioners, away from direct sunlight (especially in summer) and drafts.
The heating pad must be of high quality and with a reliable sensor.
A thermometer is a must have for any aquarium. Select its location so that it is convenient to monitor the scale indicators.
Aeration is not a whim, so the compressor must be turned on regularly. What living environment without enough air will be comfortable?

The temperature in the aquarium

Water is not just a source of life. Which fish and how long they will live in the aquarium depends on its properties. Being simple in its composition, water is actually a very complex chemical element.

Aquarium Owners Don't Need to Know Everything Chemical properties, it is enough to understand some of them. So, for example, for aquarists, water characteristics such as hardness, the presence of gases dissolved in it, temperature, salinity, and the degree of concentration of waste products are needed.

Importance of water temperature for aquarium animals

The water temperature in an aquarium is vital important condition the existence of the inhabitants. The course of all processes of development of fish and plants depends on what the temperature environment is. To determine the temperature regime, there are special aquarium thermometers. They measure not only how warm the water is, but also how degrees it can differ in the lower and upper layers. There should be no difference in temperature difference.

If there is such a difference, it is necessary to take measures to restore the balance, since differences can be detrimental to the fish.

The dependence of aquarium fish on water temperature

Body temperature in fish is not a constant value. It is very dependent on the environment. The higher the heat value, the faster speed metabolism and the faster the fish grows.

Each type of fish has its own temperature at which they feel most comfortable. Even exceeding the optimal temperature conditions significantly affects aquarium fish.

In an aquarium, especially if it is small in volume, and there are a lot of living organisms themselves, an increase in temperature leads to a decrease in oxygen in water. Increased life processes in fish lead to an increase in oxygen consumption. All this affects the state of water: it becomes cloudy, the smell of ammonia appears, oxygen starvation occurs in living organisms. In this case, even an air aerator does not help.

AT vivo aquarium fish live in tropical waters, where it is always warm. Temperature differences are not as great as in our latitudes and are 2-3 degrees. Therefore, for fish there is a lower and upper bar of temperature values. To keep the fish comfortable they are acclimatized in quarantine. In a couple of days at high temperature water, if it does not differ from their usual environment or is one or two degrees higher, the fish gets used to a new place of residence. If the temperature regime is lower, then acclimatization can be longer, sometimes up to several weeks.

There is no specific temperature value for everyone, because fish are divided into warm-water and cold-water.

The warm-water type of fish lives in a temperature range of 18 to 20 degrees. But they can also exist at seventeen degree water in an aquarium. These fish require a large aquarium if you have a pair, then they need at least 40 liters, for two pairs, respectively, there should be 80 liters. With all this, planting plants and supplying the aquarium with oxygen are necessary.

The cold water type of fish also needs a good supply of oxygen. But on the other hand, they can live at low temperature conditions (14 degrees), and at elevated water temperatures (25 degrees).

In fact, all this is not an unbreakable rule. For every kind there is a specific water temperature, from which one should build on in order to know what temperature should be in the aquarium.

The optimal temperature level for keeping fish in an aquarium

If the fish contained in the aquarium of the same species, then there will be no problems in their maintenance - it is enough to maintain one constant temperature water. Some aquarists want to diversify animal world your aquarium. In this case, you need to pick up fish with one temperature regime. Help, especially for beginners, may be able to know the following rules:

it is necessary to populate the aquarium with fish with one common temperature of the habitat;
for pregnant fish and fry that have appeared, it is worth starting a separate aquarium with a high water temperature;
per day, temperature changes in the water in the aquarium cannot deviate from established norm more than 2-3 degrees;
know what the optimum water temperature in the aquarium should be: in cold water it is easier to get sick and in water at a higher temperature, the presence of oxygen decreases;
for temperature control the aquarium must be equipped with a thermometer and a heating system (preferably with an alert sensor).

Ways to maintain the temperature in the aquarium

not everyone knows that an aquarium refrigerator is used to lower the temperature;
if the apartment has air conditioning, then it will maintain the desired mode;
some amateurs blow the water surface with a fan;
if there is neither one nor the other, then ice can be used for cooling;
heating is carried out by a special heater;
when there is no desire to spend money on the purchase of equipment, you can use a regular heating pad.

Anyway man decides for himself how he will use to heat or cool the water in the aquarium. Using professional devices, there is a guarantee of correct temperature control.