Hi guys, new to the forum because I need some help.
Had a tank for 2 years now. Very established with clown coaches, tiger barbs, pleco, Angel's and a couple of other random fish.
Never had a problem with temperature spikes eith the tank but a couple of days ago I noticed the tank was 31 degrees.
Presumed that the heater had given up and bought a new one. It's a 200L tank, and was a 200W heater. Best I could get (given the current lockdown) on the day was a 150W heater which should just about do the job for now.
The heater is in and is set at 27 degrees.
I've just come in from work and my thermometer is now showing 34 degrees, but the water doesnt feel anywhere near that.
Something is clearly wrong. My house is quite a cold house and nothing has changed. We have an electric fire a meter or 2 away from the tank but that's never caused a problem, and given the current weather it isnt being used anywhere near as much.
I'm going to try and get a new thermometer over the next few days but does anyone know of a reason for a mercury style thermometer suddenly giving drastically inaccurate readings? I'm inclined to think the thermometer must be at fault in some way, the fish seem fine at present so I'm reluctant to try and cool the tank.
Just in the off chance though, I'd given the filter a good clean to increase aeration, and reduced the amount of water in there incase the temperature is a bit high and to offset any lack of oxygen..
Any more ideas??