The Puffer Forum

I was feeding my fish this morning when I noticed the water was really warm. I checked the temp and it was 90 degrees, which is the highest it reads on my therm. I did a 30% water change and now it is down to 86, I don't want to shock my fish and plants so I am just going to let the water temp. drop gradually. Is this ok or should I do another water change?

It looked like someone turned my heater all the way up...I don't think anyone in my house would do that though. Maybe it's time to buy a new heater.

Your heater probably blew. Take out the heater and trash it and go buy another one.

I can't until tomorrow. Are you sure it blew?

My fish seem to be fine as of now, they aren't acting like anything is different and they all pigged out. I will moniter it until tomorrow and then I can buy a new one.

Well, if nobody touched it, and the temperature spiked to be 90 degrees, then that would most likely be a heater problem. Unless someone turned the heater on your house up WAYY high (do it yourself sauna?), or your tank is just going through global warming, then yes, I believe it's your heater.

Edit: I would still take the heater out. If it shorts in the water, you could be dealing with a dangerous situation.

hahaha ok it's out.

should my plants be okay?

Plants should be ok. The high temp would do more harm. I have brought plants home (2+ hrs. drive with a stop for dinner) in the middle of the winter without them dying. Water holds heat very well and most likely your house is not less than 68F anyway.

I keep all my tanks around 28 really to help cut down risk of paracites etc and it can get cold especially in the pond room. But even if its warm out, it shouldnt have risen that much. I imagine that the thermostat may have gotten stuck on. It happens, we get a few heaters returned at the shop with that sorta problem. Its usually with the tetraTec models.

Whats the brand?

Mine did that to, it was like 90 degree's to, I rushed got bags of ice,put it in the tank bc my tank stays at 76 and everyone lived accept my albino cory

Is your tank by any chance near a window? coz i've noticed with one of my tanks which is near a window that when its a really sunny day out it can raise my tank temp by a good 2 - 3 degrees C?

no, and this has never been a problem before

Must have been the heater. It happens a lot with the store brand or less known brands. I think many people use Stealth heaters. I only have one good heater (Eheim Jager) and the rest are all cheaper ones or ones I got used with my tanks, so I check the temps at least once a day to make sure everything is going okay. After 1+ year, still okay.

Did you get it new and do you still have the receipt and stuff? You might be able to get a replacement from the company.

Heat kills, cold perserves (well, usually, if its not freezing) when it comes to plants.

Was your dial set to 90+ or do you have one that doesn't have markings? If it was turned up too high, then someone bumped it or changed it. If you don't know, then I'd just replace it to be safe.

Always let tanks adjust their temperature gradually.. big temp changes can stress out the fish and bacteria and cause things like ich breakouts, crashes, etc.

I got a new heater today, and a T-5 hood and lights. I am all set