I'm cooking my fish!!

It'sJames

I just reached into one of my tanks to pull out a plant, and the water is REALLY warm. I usually keep the tank at 78-80, but the temp stirp reads about 85. I unplugged the heater, which wasn't even on at the moment. I have no clue what the sudden change in temp is about - my room is about 75. So I checked another one of my tanks, a 5 gallon, and it's even warmer! Probably around 88 (temp strip only goes to 86). The 5 gallon doesn't even have a heater; it stays around 80 becuase of the light, and the filter runs warm. In the 5 gallons is just a betta. The other tank has platys, otos, bettas, and a Sparkling Gourami. Should I do a quick water change, using cooler water, to bring the temp down a bit? Or would that be too much of a shock? I dropped a couple ice cubes into the 5 gallon.

fish_4_all

Okay, this may sound weird but try to find out exactly what the temperature in your room is. I have seen times when the room feels about right and then my tanks felt really hot, and then there are times when I feel warm and my tanks feel cool to the touch but every time the aqctual temps are either normal or are opposite of what I figured they would be.

If your skin is dry or your body temp is off a little it can make the tanks feel off and also make the room temp feel like it is higher or lower than it might otherwise be.

Also, check the rom temp right beside your tanks. If it is higher then a simple small fan to circulate the air should work to even things out.

jeaninel

I agree with Fish_4_all. I've had the same thing happen to me where I've reached into the tank and it felt very warm but the temp was ok. I've never cared for the stick-on temp strips. You might want to get a thermometer that goes on the inside of the tank. They're more accurate and cheap...usually a buck or two.

It'sJames

Ya, a couple in-tank thermometers are definatly on the list. I know for sure that the water was REALLY warm, but it's cooled down to a decent temperature now.