Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well my temps dropped to 74F on the 150 gallon Aquarium and had one jump out and dry up on the floor. I have 4 of the glass type aquarium heaters and just added two more. The 4 were maintaining 82F but I went and left the door open on the building all day and down it went. I bought one of the habor freight 10x12 greenhouses but I am yet to assemble it. I just want them to survive until spring when I put it all togather. I may have to heat the building but I am scared of those little power gobbling, burn the place down electric space heaters.

I'd put some sort of cover on the tank so they can't jump out. As the temp drops the females are not as into the frisky males and the chasing gets worse.

They should survive fine around 70 F and it might be better as they will grow slower and eat less so won't stress your filtration as much. I've actually found that my little aquarium in the house is staying quite warm with the pump installed right in it and the light on over it but that one is set up with no flood and drain gravel which would have the water temp down a few degrees lower than air temp pretty quickly.

Actually, if you need to overwinter them and are not worried about growing them much over winter, you can let the temp get below 70 (just do it gradually so you don't shock them) and they will be very sedate for the winter eating very little. I wouldn't let the temp get below 60 F though but it can save you a bit of money at least.

+1

60degF worked fine for mine over winter. I only pumped through the growbeds during daylight to preserve heat.

Just be careful of those glass aquaruim heaters... especially if your stock is large...



Get heater gaurds if you can...