Low Tank Temps

Cold temps here in WI have lead to my tank's temp dropping to around 70..and its normally around 78 give or take a degree either way.

How worried should I be about it sitting at a temp that low? Everything looks alright and unstressed...except for me i guess...:-/

Going to do what I can to bring the basement temp up tonight but I'm sitting here at work wondering if I should be doing something about it sooner.

 

70 is a bit low I would either put another heater in tank or find way to warm house more.

 

Ok first of all, as long as the temperature decrease has happened slowly over a great amount of time, it will not be as detrimental. One thing about lower water temperature is your dissolved oxygen level will be higher.
Now to get your tank up to a warmer level, you can turn the thermometer up and you can also place a blanket around the tank. Tanks unfortunately do not work well as thermal insulaters and will dispose of heat rather quickly.
By placing a blanket round the tank, it will help as insulation and help you and your livestock get through the cold winter!

 

Thanks for the input...I'm not as worried then.

The heaters are turned up as high as they will go and I have a blanket around it as well. It seems to be holding steady at 70. Once I get a new space heater tonight I should be able to get the basement temp back up to at least a reasonable level.

 

Just be careful that you don't bring the temp up to quickly or even fry your livestock by heating the water too high the other way!!! I have seen that happen as well!
Good luck!

 

I have also noticed that when I closed the glass top lids on my 150G, it helped to raise the water temp. In the winter, I keep my house thermometer at 70ºF, so naturally, my tanks will be lower too, usually 72º-74ºF. I normally keep the glass lids open for O2 exchange, but closing the lids raised the temp of the tank to the 77º range.