wrote in message
news:TGtqb.22517$6A4.2300@edtnps84...
I've determined that my target temp for my Kuhli, Pleco, and ADF's
should be
77-78f, but it's floating around 80-82, and I can't figure out why.

There's no nearby heat source in the room, and in fact I've shut off
the
radiators in the room. There is a 75w heater in the 15g tank, but
it's set
to about 75f. There *IS* a cloth covering the open part of the lid to
prevent the ADFs from jumping out. This may add insulating
properties.
Ambient temperature in the room is 75f.

Can anyone offer insight as to why my tank temp is higher than ambient?

Sources of heat are your heater (duh ;~), your lights (radiated and from
the ballast), your filter system (as water passes around the motor
housing), ambient air (through the glass), direct contact (through the
stand), from your fish (what are you feeding these guys? habernero
peppers? ;~) and from other lighting sources. Another major variable is
your insulation factor. Well sealed tanks and acrylic sides typically
hold the heat in longer.

Is 82 this with a "Tolerable" range for my friends, or is this
something I
should address urgently?

I think 82F would be very stressful to a Kuhlii. I'm not familiar enough
with the ADF's comfort range and their ability to regulate their internal
temperature.

ps: I've never found ADFs to be big jumpers, at least not as bad as
crabs, sharks, hatchets etc. Maybe a piece of screen would keep the frog
in while letting some hot air out. An airstone would also help with
venting hot air, cooling the tank, especially if your air source was cool
(install the airpump in the basement and run an airline up through the
floor ;~). If your heat source is your light canopy, lift it up half an
inch so you get some airflow cooling it. hth

NetMax