Water Temperature Options

[engliang]

my outdoor tub goes up to 32 deg during a hot day, and down to 25 deg at night, my fish ok le, growing well.

will you be using a heater to warm the water up to 28deg before u change water?

har? i thought GFs u buy from lfs most of them are imported from 4 seasons china?

Hmm...I'm just saying if there is a thermostat heater to maintain a constant temp for the goldfishes instead of subjecting them to 7C fluctuation, isn't it better?
And too low temp can cause ICH right?

As for changing water, just add the water, and the heater will adjust the temperature accordingly right?

I'm comparing wild-bred fish and domesticated aquarium fish, feel that they don't exhibit simlar characteristics and traits.
I know gfs are coldwater fishes and they can withstand 4 seasons.
However, I don't believe domesticated gfs are as hardy, you can try putting ur goldfish in a bowl, and put it into the fridge, and observe whether it is comfortable.

Just my personal opinions, no offence ok. =)
Me just newbie, of course can't be compared to the experts here lar, me just saying my views.

[The Matrix]

Hi,

I feel that putting a heater in the tank is not to heat up the water, but to help to maintain a constant temp for the fishes.

1. If I remember correctly, water gains and loses heat pretty fast.
Say at night, I believe water in the tank in the house can drop to maybe about 25C, while in the afternoon, can rise to about 29-30C? So this is about a 5C fluctuation. By using a heater set at 28C, the fluctuation reduces to about 1-2C.
Isn't a constant temp better for the fishes?

2. Many ppl always say goldfishes are coldwater fishes, which of course is true, and that they can tolerate v low temperatures. I feel that this is true for wild-bred goldfishes in the ponds where 4 seasons exist. However, those goldfishes that we bought at LFS are already domesticated and may not go throught the seasonal change. As such, I don't really believe these goldfishes can withstand high temp fluctuations.

Just my personal views.

Most of the goldfish are from China. Which ARE quite "seasoned" fish already. Com'on ... Here in Singapore, not other places, DO not experience a big tidal wave, no desert storm or icy cold spell minutes to minutes. At most a cool 25C morning, warming to the peak of 33C in the noon and cool down towards the evening. It's a cycle of 8-12 hours. Water is not a real good conductor but will gradually adjust to the environment thru the holding media and the surface air.

Unless we are talking about changing water in a hot afternoon. Common sense will tell one hobbyist to ensure there are minimal swing in such circumstances. Like human, walking out of a cold place to a warm outdoor, our body will take time to adjust. Fish do not adjust that fast.

Well, if one really think that it is necessary to use a heater to adjust the temperature, go ahead. There no wrong or right. There is nothing to argue about.

Some people even use a chiller to maintain cool. So need to argue about that as well ?

Do what u want to do. Let the fish do the talking.

[The Matrix]

I kept fish in mid western US before. It's a pure nightmare. Morning warn and drop to sub Zero. Water is so hard and changing water is another nightmare. Without the use of heater, really a major problem in winter of sub 10C. A pain in the axx just to think of changing water and travel miles to the nearest Walmart to get some dunno what brand fish food.

But when one visit the real breeding site in China .... just pond and nothing else. Dun expect them to put million watts of energy to heat up the water.

Different places uses different methods. Know the differences, not do what u think is right.

[CP]

Hmm...I'm just saying if there is a thermostat heater to maintain a constant temp for the goldfishes instead of subjecting them to 7C fluctuation, isn't it better?

In Singapore context, I believe that it is better to subject them to a 7 -8 degree daily change in temperature.It makes them stronger.

But, sudden temperature changes such as during a water change should be avoided.

[CyberET]

Hmm...I'm just saying if there is a thermostat heater to maintain a constant temp for the goldfishes instead of subjecting them to 7C fluctuation, isn't it better?
And too low temp can cause ICH right?

As for changing water, just add the water, and the heater will adjust the temperature accordingly right?

I'm comparing wild-bred fish and domesticated aquarium fish, feel that they don't exhibit simlar characteristics and traits.
I know gfs are coldwater fishes and they can withstand 4 seasons.
However, I don't believe domesticated gfs are as hardy, you can try putting ur goldfish in a bowl, and put it into the fridge, and observe whether it is comfortable.

Just my personal opinions, no offence ok. =)
Me just newbie, of course can't be compared to the experts here lar, me just saying my views.

too low temp doesn't cause ICH, sudden temperture change which causes shock is the cause.

china breeds domesticated goldfish in open outdoor ponds, so y would the slight temperature changes in our indoor tank affect much? china still produces hell lots of fishes every year..

as for your fridge question.. u r dropping the temperture by a few degrees rapidly.. a bowl has too little water, no aeration, enclosed enviroment, of course uncomfortable la.

if u r changing 10-20% of course it doesn't matter much, but if u do massive change.. then... but if u only do 10-20% change.. then i would expect to see pop-eye goldfishes.

then again.. as matrix said.. no right or wrong, i just feel its unnecessary, waste of electricity, and... makes my cold-blooded pets hot