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Comment by Matt Miskinnis on February 17, 2013 at 6:57pm

Right now I have 3 400w heaters in my tank, I took one off line as the temps are keeping pretty constant.  Luckily in AZ we don't have to deal with intense cold so the two heaters are working fine.  I also covered my FT and ST as algae was starting to accumulate in the fish tank, Since I'm fishless cycling right now, I dont want algae giving me false readings in my water testing.  I also added two air stones as I was finding mosquitoes starting to breed, I figured if I have the water moving around more those mosquitoes will go away, and what the hell fish like air bubbles anyway. It's a learning experience for sure!

Comment by coty on February 16, 2013 at 10:07pm

I got 2 300w aquarium heaters on ebay for $21. Im just using 2 and my tank stays a good temp. It gets down to about 60 at night and gets up to about 70 during the day. my tank is holding 200 gallons and is inside my uninsolated garage. I guess if 1 went out during winter i would have to get a new heater from petsmart $35-$50 but if you can wait and order a new one on ebay that would be cheaper.

Comment by Robert Rowe on February 16, 2013 at 7:41pm

Re waterbed heaters: Have you priced them? Have you considered what it would take to replace one when it dies?

I paid $35.00/ea for two 300 watt aquarium heaters. A friend got them on line for $14.00/ea.

Comment by coty on January 15, 2013 at 5:00pm

Ok thanks for the info. Ill be filling my grow bed with rock next week so ill probably start puting more plants here pretty quick. Super excited!

Comment by Rick Stillwagon on January 15, 2013 at 4:24pm

Goldfish will survive just about anything. Keeping it cooler is probably a good idea as they will eat less and take longer to foul the water.  This will give you more time to get your system going.  I would raise the temp slowly as you begin the system, giving time for the bacteria to establish itself to to help keep the water suitable for the fish.  The fish can tolerate a good amount of nitrogen, but high levels of ammonia will kill your fish.

Comment by coty on January 15, 2013 at 4:19pm

I am still trying to get set up. I dont have any fish yet but i was thinking of starting wih goldfish. I live in new mexico so i wont be able to legally get tilapia without a permit. I have duckweed in it now but its not really growing yet. The water has been cold and i only put my heaters in lastnight.

Comment by Benjamin on January 15, 2013 at 4:16pm

Is the garage insulated or is it pretty close to the same temperature as outside? You said it snowed last night so I'm assuming it's at least in the 20-30's at night. Also, what type of fish do you have? Like Rick said the water temp you maintain is going to be a compromise between what's best for you fish, bacteria and plants. That doesn't mean you can't keep your water at 80 degrees F which would be ideal for tilapia (and they will reproduce at this temperature) but not ideal for most plants and bacteria. Like the fish many plants and bacteria can adapt to this 'not' ideal temperature :)

Comment by Rick Stillwagon on January 15, 2013 at 3:46pm

What kind of fish do you have? Are you growing anything in your AP system? If you want the fish to eat, it needs to be anywhere from 55 - 75 degree water. The optimum environment for the fish, bacteria, and plant root zones are 70 degrees.  Provided there is enough light and nutrients to keep everything happy.  It is a balancing act of all these factors: Light, nutrients, minerals, PH, and temperature. 

Trout will be happy at the low end of the spectrum, Tilapia at the other end.  What a fish will tolerate and what it will thrive in are two different things.  Tilapia like 80 degree water.  Mine do well in 70 degree water but will not reproduce at that temperature.

Your bacteria and root zone are most productive when kept at 65 - 70 degrees. Cooler than that, and your bacteria diminish in there ability to do their job and many of your plants will slow their uptake of nutrients. Too warm is not good for them either.  Lack of light will cause leggy growth in a warm environment, and usually results in bug problems, as well as a lack of nutrients.

If you keep your water and air temp on the cool side through winter,  the metabolism of your fish will slow, they will eat less, your plants will slow their growth in response to the lack of warmth, light, and nutrients.  Inncrease the temp and light, your fish will eat more, create more waste, the bacteria will become more active increasing the nutrient supply to your plants and your plants will grow more.

Balance all the factors for dormancy or growth.

Comment by coty on January 15, 2013 at 3:29pm

At night it does get pretty cold. It snowed lastnight but its warm during the day

Comment by Benjamin on January 15, 2013 at 3:16pm

depends on what the temperature in your garage is. 

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