![]() Can you have a fish tank without a heater? Unlike tropical fish, they do well in the same temperatures people like, so most thrive at normal room temperature. ![]() No, you don’t need a heater for cold water fish. Still, have some questions about cold water fish? Here are two that we often hear: Do you need a heater for cold water fish? Remember that sudden temperature shocks kill fish, so always reduce temperatures slowly. If all else fails, an aquarium chiller can help you lower the water temperature for your cold water fish. The water is directly affected by the air temperature around it, so your HVAC system or AC will help too. Some aquarium lights produce a remarkable amount of heat, so if the tank’s often warm, you may want to invest in LED lighting. So, your lights and other items that can be turned off without threatening the life of the fish. If the water is getting too warm, start by turning off any heat-generating electronics that aren’t essential. ![]() Make sure it’s also positioned in a cool room and is out of direct sunlight. Keep your tank away from PCs, electronics, fridges, etc. Choose the right room or locationĮnvironmentally managing your tank via its location is the simplest (and cheapest) way to keep the water cool and consistent. Some will even alert you when specific temperatures are passed. So, you should invest in an aquarium thermometer to help you. However, if you’re in a climate that’s naturally warm all year round, or if you get unusually hot summers, you may need to decrease the water temperature. In principle, setting up a cold water tank is similar to setting up a tropical tank, just without the heater. Now you know more about setting up a cold water tank, as well as the different fish that thrive in them, let’s recap the 5 key points you shouldn’t forget about water temperature for your unheated aquarium: Use a thermometer 5 Key Tips for Cooling Your Coldwater Aquarium Over time, beneficial bacteria develop in the filter, and you don’t want to lose them to the chemicals in plain tap water. The filter may need its filter media to change from time to time, too.Īlways use the old tank water to flush the filter media. Use a gravel vacuum to clean the tank bottom and drain dirty water, then, slowly add the new water.Ĭold water tanks produce less algae than warm water tanks, and if you have algae feeders, it may not be an issue, but the tank may still need the occasional cleaning. Remember that the inflowing water needs to be properly conditioned (to remove chemicals) and at the same temperature as the tank. However, you may need to perform a partial water change to reduce nitrate levels. In an ideal system, harmful nitrates and ammonia are removed by healthy plants in the ecosystem. Aquarium test kits are simple to use, just pick a brand that fits your needed testing parameters. It’s also good to know if ammonia (the byproduct of excess food) and nitrate (the byproduct of dead aquarium plants and fish waste) levels are rising. You also need to make sure they are in the right type of water (hard/soft) and that the pH level is suitable for the species you’re keeping. Keeping fish healthy and happy isn’t all about temperature. Tank MaintenanceĬlean tanks look great, and make for happy fish too! Here are some basics you need to cover: Testing However, most of the standard tropical filter systems will work. Just because you don’t need a heater doesn’t mean you can leave the tank alone and without care! You will need a good filter system to keep the water quality high and the tank looking lovely.Īir-powered sponge filters are a good choice, because they don’t output any heat, and you can upgrade to an external canister filter if you choose. The tank setup is relatively hassle-free, provided you’ve chosen the right size for your intended occupants, but here are some tips to make it even smoother. The technical definition of a cold water fish is one that can survive in water temperatures of 70 ☏ or less, so they tend to stem from temperate and subtropical climates by origin. Now you have some wonderful cold water fish on your radar, let’s look at their tank in a little more detail. They’re a great fish to add interest and color to the middle and bottom of your tank. Surprisingly, they’re also a carnivorous species. They’re a peaceful species, but rather shy in mixed tanks, so pick their partners well. You don’t see a lot of them in the US, despite them being a native fish, but they’re very popular in Europe. This adorable little fish brings some beautiful black and iridescent blues to your unheated tank if you snag males.
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