Why is my temperature so high?

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?

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


--
.................................................. ............................

The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of
tyrants, and it provides the further advantage of giving the servants of
tyranny a good conscience.

- Albert Camus

.................................................. ............................
http://www.memeticcandiru.com

the location of the heater to the intake vent of the filter sometimes can
cause the fluctuation, and ambient cooling from the opposite end of the tank
can cause a major shift...

I've had to keep my heater beside the filter, water going in and coming out
are closer matched, keeps heater from being 'on' constantly...

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?

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


--

.................................................. ...........................
..

The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of
tyrants, and it provides the further advantage of giving the servants of
tyranny a good conscience.

- Albert Camus


.................................................. ...........................
..

http://www.memeticcandiru.com

wrote:
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?

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


A couple of things to consider: when you say the heater is set to 75f is
this based on observing at what temperature it actually comes on or the
temperature the knob is set to? If your heater has an "on" light I
would suggest keeping an eye on it to see if it is coming on when it is
not supposed to be. I think those temperature settings are really more
guides than dead-on accurate. Also, what wattage and of what type of
light do you have over the tank? That can certainly make a difference.
Finally, how sure are you of the accuracy of your thermometer? If
you take it out of the tank, does it read 75f as well?

wrote in message ...
wrote:
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?

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


A couple of things to consider: when you say the heater is set to 75f is
this based on observing at what temperature it actually comes on or the
temperature the knob is set to? If your heater has an "on" light I
would suggest keeping an eye on it to see if it is coming on when it is
not supposed to be. I think those temperature settings are really more
guides than dead-on accurate.

after alot of testing, my heater is spot on.. change the dial and about 2
hours later, the temp in the tank is spot on what the dial says. I'm quite
impressed with this. it's a 300W heater, but I'm not sure of the brand, will
post this on monday evening US time.

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