[Ianwp]

I have noticed this last weekend that my tank loses about 2-3 degrees F during the night. It takes a few hours to get it back during the day. Is this normal? The fish seem ok with it nothing different in terms of behavior but is this temperature fluctuation stressing my fish? It is an acrylic 55 gallon tank, i was lead to belief that acrylic insulates better and that temperature fluctuation was less of an occurrence with acrylic.

Heater is 200 watt.

 

[Flint]

I wouldn't worry. 2-3 degrees won't stress your fish.
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[sandybottom]

i agree with flint.

 

[jaysee]

Agreed - small temperature swings like that are really only a concern when the normal temp is already at an extreme.

 

[rsskylight04]

For a 55 I would recommend 300 watt heater, might keep your temp more stable, but i also agree that 2-3° is not an issue. Rapid temp swings are dangerous, but not gradual variation day/night. My temps rise and fall 2-3° daily as well.

 

[Hallyx]

Have you located your heater near to you filter outflow?

 

[avraptorhal]

For a 55 I would recomm watt heater, might keep your temp more stable, but i also agree that 2-3° is not an issue rid temp swings are dangerous, but not gradual variation day/night. My temps rise and fall 2-3° daily as well.

Getting a larger heater probably won't make any difference. The so-called dead zone of the thermostat is what allows the temp to vary by the 2-3 degrees you observe. If you check the specs of your heater you will see that the temp specs are the nominal +/- 2 or 3 degrees.