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	A Few Random Questions-
clownloachfan Fish Addict Posts: 660 Kudos: 850 Votes: 115 Registered: 10-Oct-2003	Hello all, its been a while since my last visit. I have been busy. -Over the past 2 & 1/2 years, the temp. in my 30 gallon has gone up a couple of degrees. About 2 degrees Farenheit. Is this normal? My Dads aquarium which is in the basement does this much faster since it is in the cool. Do you have to unplug heaters to adjust the temperature or can you adjust it while it is pluged in and in your tank? -What is the best way to feed lettuce or cuccumber or other vegies to your fish such as Clown plecs, otos, flying foxes? Do you put it in raw or should you cook it first?
Posted 28-May-2006 00:27
crusha Enthusiast Fish Geek Posts: 262 Kudos: 183 Votes: 102 Registered: 11-Nov-2005	Hi, when I feed my fish veg I lightly microwave it so as to soften it a little bit and then attach it to a small pebble with a couple of elastic bands so that it sinks. I generally only leave it in for couple of hours otherwise the water tends to go a little bit cloudy. The fishies love it . As for the heater, I haven't really had to change mine so I cant comment on that. Sure someone else will tho. Those who say they cant, Never will !!!
Posted 28-May-2006 02:54
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002	Hi, First, the heaters... These are controled by the movement of a bimetalic strip that bends as it warms up. The strip is also THE conductor for electricity to the heating coil. To properly adjust the heater thermostat, you place the heater in the tank (turned off) and allow a half to an hour for the heater to reach the temperature of the tank. Plug in the heater and adjust the thermostat so that it just comes on. Look at your thermometer and decide if you need the water warmer. If you do, then turn the thermostat up again, just enough so the light inside the heater comes on. Let it run and when the water reaches the newer, higher, temperature it will turn off. When it turns off check your thermometer and adjust up again. Continue the process till the tank reaches the desired temperature and then leave things alone. The problem is that everytime the heater turns on and off there is a small arc between the thermostat contacts. This arc transfers a small, tiny, bit of metal, from one contact to the other creating a pit on one contact and a build up on the other. Over time, this pit, and build up, will cause the heater to loose its calibration from when it was installed and the temperatures will be different. If you are "handy" and good with tools and electricity, you can take the heater apart and burnish (polish) the contacts with an emory board or a file designed to burnish the contacts. IF not, then it is best to toss the heater and purchase a replacement. It is electricity and if you don't know what you are doing, be safe, and DON'T DO IT. As far as the vegetables are concerned, you can serve them raw or blanched. I've done both and the fish loved them either way. I suspect blanching is better as less of the "juice" from the vegetables get into the tank to polute the water. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--
Posted 28-May-2006 03:52
clownloachfan Fish Addict Posts: 660 Kudos: 850 Votes: 115 Registered: 10-Oct-2003	I am only interested in lowering the temp. What procees should i follow for that? Thanks for the replies.
Posted 28-May-2006 20:36
Lindy Administrator Show me the Shishies! Posts: 1507 Kudos: 1350 Votes: 730 Registered: 25-Apr-2001	I've always just twisted the knob up/down to adjust the temp while it is plugged in and working. As Frank has said, you need to be careful with initial start up of the heater but once its warmed and going there shouldnt be a problem with adjusting the temp while it is in the water. Before you criticize someone walk a mile in their shoes. That way you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
Posted 28-May-2006 23:50
clownloachfan Fish Addict Posts: 660 Kudos: 850 Votes: 115 Registered: 10-Oct-2003	I guess i was not reading my temp. right. The AC was turned on in my house a couple of days ago and the temp. is back to its normal 79 degrees.
Posted 30-May-2006 21:25


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