Correct Marine Aquarium Water Temperature

Maintaining the correct water temperature in your aquarium is essential if you want your fish and plants to thrive. Too hot and the fishes' metabolisms will speed up, meaning there will be less oxygen available in the tank, too low and fish may not breed. Extreme temperatures, be they too hot or cold, will result in your fish and marine plants dying. The best way to maintain an accurate, stable temperature is by investing in a combined heater/stat.

Things You'll Need

  • Combined heater/stat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Research what type of combined heater/stat you will need. Different heater/stats have different wattage ratings. The wattage you require depends on how large your aquarium is. A table giving wattage comparisons to fish tank size is provided on The Tropical Tank (see references).

    • 2

      Purchase your heater/stat. Plug it in and hang the rod over the edge of your fish tank.

    • 3

      Set the heater temperature to between 77 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This will be suitable for most tropical fish, marine plants and coral reef.