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What do you guys think is a safe temperature differential between a room and a tank? The weather in Chicago right now is crazy so I sometimes go to bed with the window open and wake up to a freezing room. I'm just worried about the tank cracking because of the fluctuating temperature. The tank I'm talking about is a 125usgal so the glass is pretty thick but I just want some opinions. Thanks

It wpould be VERY rare for the tank to crack from that small of a temp. flucuation.

Plus, the water holds in heat, so the temp of the water might only go down a few degrees, and you have your heater also.

I think that the heater will keep the tank temperature stable. I don't think that the tank can crack with the problem you mentioned.


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I agree with a tank that size, cracking from temp. flucuation (especially that small) is highly unlikely.

The tank temp stays fairly constant. Somewhere between 76 and 78. The room though can be around 76 when i go to bed and 65 when i wake up. I didn't think the tank temp would cause problems since the heater will kick on if it starts to drop, but the air against the warm glass of the tank is what worried me. I had a 55gal before and i noticed what i thought were scratches on the outside, but they were also in the inside and when they became more plentiful i was sure the tank was going to crack through. I just don't want it to happen again but I also don't like the room being that warm so I hate closing the windows.

The water will keep the glass warm

You need to be more concerned about keeping the tank warm than the tank glass cracking. The geberal rule for aquarium heaters, 5 watts per gallon of water, is really only good for a difference of about 5 degrees between the temperature of the room and the temperature of the tank. If the room is a lot cooler, you may need to add additional heaters, but you will need to be cautious if you go that route because a malfuntion could cause the extra heaters to overheat. I suggest keeping the room temperature as stable as possible, so avoid opening windows when it's that cold. If you need the window open to sleep at night, a bedroom tank is probably not a great idea.

mo735
That is a big tank. I certainly would be more concerned with the heating of that tank.

Is the tank in front of the open window? If so your heater/s are working over time.

I hope you have several heaters in that tank if not your temp would go down very fast if your heaters fail.

Keith

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Uh I also have a 125, with 2-300 watt heaters that keep it at 76-78 degrees...I have the 29 and 55 along with others, and don't have any problem with the glass crackingI know I live in Texas but, I tend to keep my thermastat set at 60-65, meaning AC keeps it that cool...the only cracking I've ever had was due to age (15 years old), several moves (6 moves), living in the desert for 10 of those years. My problem came from the frame cracking I fully believe...

So quit worrying about your tank, enjoy the cool air, and get some rest...if it really bothers you. Either quit leaving the window open, or throw a blanket over the tank

heidi

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Agree...you shouldnt have cracking problems from those temps. I came back from a trip to find the house temp had fallen into the 40's, tank was maintaining temp of 68. But I do think the issue of cold spots and uneven heating is a bigger issue... The idea of a blanket that Heidi mentioned is a great one. I started using it both as a heat issue and because the fish never slept with my sister watching tv next to them all night :%) .

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Previously I would leave a window right next to the tank open but after the problems with the 55gallon, I started keeping a window across the room open so cold air would not be blowing directly on the warm glass. I have 2 200watt heaters in the 125 and they are not constantly running so maybe the problem with the 55 was having only 1 heater and having the windows right next to the tank open. Thanks for the advice!

Last edited by mo735 at 30-Mar-2005 22:15

Last edited by mo735 at 30-Mar-2005 22:15

the tank will just be fine....unless theres drastic changes in temp...the water will remain in its currrent temp provided u have a heater inside.