I have an Oscar and a Pleco. Here's the thing i dont have a heater for my tank and when the light is on it stays around 80degrees but when i turn it off, the next morning the temp will be around 72degrees. So whats more important stable water temp or twilight time? Or is this temp drop even a big deal?
MrsCrabs
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I'm sorry, but I don't agree that your fish is ok with that type of temperature change. If your water temperature changes THAT drastically when you turn the light off, it CAN be harmful to your fish. And it sounds to me too like your Oscar may be in a relatively small tank? He should be in the very least a 75 gallon tank, preferably a 100+ gallon tank, as these fish get HUGE, and they are very very messy fish. You really need to purchase a heater for your fish so that they can stay at a proper temperature (74-76 steadily would be perfect). Think of yourself standing naked in a heated house, then going outside into a snowstorm......how would you feel? It would be a shock to your system, and if his water is cooling down 8 degrees in 6 or 8 hours, that's quite a difference. (This is my opinion, but I can direct you to websites to back up what I am saying).
You need to be diligent in the care of your Oscar as they are susceptible to many diseases if their water is not kept in pristine condition and regular tank maintenance is not performed. If you only have a small oscar, a smaller tank is ok for the meantime, but you definately need to get a large tank for him to survive happily.
Good luck!! ;o)
jraycash
First of all i'd buy an heater. For the size of your tank(i'm guessing it is 55 gallon or more) one will only cost between £20-£25. I have a tank with a red oscar and a pleco in and i keep the temperature about 79 degrees and they are fine. You should only have your lights on in your tank for a maximum of 10 hours a day or a build up of algae will occur causing your water to go green
Ghapy
If the temp is so greatly affected by lighting I get the impression this is a smaller tank - I hope I'm wrong, with the fish you have. Either way, a heater is a necessary investment in proper tropical fish keeping because it provides proper, even temperatures, so go buy one.
The drop in temperature won't kill your fish - it's not like it's dropping and rising in an instant, but it is constant, daily stress on the fishes system and does have a gradual impact on their health.
It won't kill your fish to have the light on all night, but it would really stress the pleco, which is a nocturnal creature by nature, and you'd end up with a nightmare of algae problems.
Anonymous
It is better to purchase a small heater and turn your light off at night.
The light being on all of the time IS going to eventually cause an algae problem for you.
Your light should only be on for 8-12 hours per day.
If you want, you can get a cheep $5.00 timer and set it for the time that you are home most, you will not have to turn the lights on or off anymore, Let the timer worry about it.
Anonymous
Yes you should turn it off! It's stressful for your fish.
The best solution is to purchase a timer to turn the lights on in the morning and off in the evening after approximately 12 hours and a heater to keep the temperature steady around the 75 degrees if possible.
Best regards
Carsten
http://AquaInfo.dk