I have a heater in my tank because I was told that it wasn't a good idea for the temperature to fluctuate a lot. But I've heard different things from different sources, like some say goldfish are best kept in cold water and some say warmer water. I would like to have the best temperature for optimal growth, especially for my oranda and ryukin. Currently the temperature is around 72-76 degrees, usually somewhere in the middle. Even if I set the heater to only 70, it still turns on when it is like 74 in there.

I live in eastern Washington, so the temperature can get very cold at night and very hot during the day, and also very cold during winter and very hot during summer. Although we do have central heating and air conditioning in the house. Is it best to keep the heater and basically it's going to be rather warm in there, or take the heater out? What temp does everyone else keep their orandas and ryukins in?

i dont use heaters in my goldie tanks, in winter the temp is usally between 72 and 74 but right now at this time of day its 78-79 in my 46 gallon and around 76 in my 125 and 29 gallon. I dont think u need a heater unless the temps flucuate alot

Hey acidstars! I'm in eastern Washington, too. Pullman for school. Where are you at?

Since we live in the same area, I have a lot of your same problems. I do keep a heater in all my tanks to keep the temperature stable... because it's snowing in MAY.

I like to keep my tanks around 70 degrees F. Higher than that can stress the fish a bit-- I've heard that it shortens their lifespan! My heater is currently on its lowest setting, and I do temperature-matched water changes. If the tank is too cold, I might gradually increase the temperature of my water change to raise it a degree or two. If it's too warm, I lower the temperature a bit. Gradual is the key-- temperature shock is very stressful.

I think 72-76 is too warm for the fish, unless they're fry or you're trying to speed the life cycle of a parasite in order to shorten a medication treatment course.

Hope that helps.

thoughtsofjoy, I am assuming you go to WSU? I also go to WSU, but at the Tri-Cities campus.

That is one of the main problems I am having with my heater...I also have it set to 70 but it still comes on anyway even when it's like 74 in there...do you think it's just not a very good heater? Also, what if the temperature in the house is too hot, and it makes the aquarium too hot?

hello acidstars...
i belive i'm the one that made the comment about how your goldfish like cooler water.
that was in regards to your other thread, and it had mentioned that you had some tetras in there too.
tetras being tropical i think need warmer water than your goldies.

that is not to say goldies can't tolerate a wide range of temps, but just that they are in general cooler water fish than tetras.

Yep, WSU. I'm finishing my B.S. in Psychology this summer, and then going into my 4th year to finish my Spanish degree.

It sounds like your heater may have an inaccurate thermometer. Maybe it's just a bad heater. However, in the summer months a heater is not really necessary. As soon as it warms up a bit (we have gray skies, 40F, powerful wind gusts right now), I'll take the heaters out of my tanks and keep a close eye on the temperature. My apartment can stay rather cool, so I'll need to make sure it's not getting TOO cold.

You have tetras in with your goldies? Like Tink said, probably not the best idea. They just have different water requirements. Not sure what your setup's like, but maybe you could get a 10gal for the tetras and put the heater in there.

Lol, I am also getting my BS in psychology, but I won't be graduating until next year. I have turned the heater off for now because it's pretty warm over here and it's staying warm in the tank. At some point in the future we will get our own place and hopefully move the tetras to a different tank...I would do it now because I do have an extra tank, but I live with my parents right now and they wouldn't go for that.

If the new place is in the near future, you could say that if you get the tank cycled now it will be easyer to move and the fish will stay healtyer. I managed to get a 70 gal in the house that way. A 10 gal doesn't need that much space as my 70 gal which stands in the garage. My dad didn't understand why those little goldfish need so much water, now he does. It did take a lot of explaining though, the fact that my fish even tried begging for food when he passed the big tank did help