If "room temp" is 72 degrees, does this mean...?

Question

that an unheated fish bowl/tank will be the same temp? I believe humidity plays a major role in the resulting temp of an unheated fish bowl/tank at room temp. For example, if room temp is 72 degrees this does not necessarily mean the water in an unheated bowl/tank will be the same, correct? I am trying to explain to someone that they need a tank heater to ensure a consistent temperature in a fish tank because ambient air temp doesn't necessarily translate into that being the temperature of the water.

72 F (~22C) & the water in the tank in question is 9 degrees cooler than the ambient air temperature. This is in a geographic region where humidity is extremely low.

Answer 1

The water in the bowl is constantly evaporating. This, as you know, creates a cooling effect. The amount of cooling would vary due to relative humidity in the room, surface area of the tank, airflow in the room, bubbling in the tank, etc.

To illustrate your point, take a look at these two wesites:

Humidity Calculator: http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/humiditycalc.shtml

Relative Humidity Table http://www.jsu.edu/depart/geography/mhill/phygeogone/unit2/rhtablff.html

Answer 2

The problem is that the ambient temperature will affect different parts of the water at different rates. The surface will be more affected than the bottom or the sides. Water takes much longer to heat than air but holds the heat much longer. There is also a certain amount of heat given off by the water through evaporation.

Therefore, the only way to maintain a constant water temperature near 72 degrees F is by the use of a heater.

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Answer 3

I absolutely believe that a tank needs a heater in order to maintain a constant temperature.

If you've ever been swimming in the ocean, it can be 100 degrees outside and the water is still very cold. Same thing happens in a swimming pool. Just because the air temp is 100, the temp in the pool is nowhere near that. Unless there are heaters in use.

The more water you have, the slower the water actually changes temperature. Once again, another good reason to have the largest tank you can afford.

Answer 4

"If "room temp" is 72 degrees, does this mean that an unheated fish bowl/tank will be the same temp?" Yes, if left in the room long enough, it will stabilize at 72. " I believe humidity plays a major role in the resulting temp of an unheated fish bowl/tank at room temp" It doesn't matter WHAT you "believe", they will reach equilibrium, and, as a matter of fact, they will reach equilibrium FASTER in air that has a high relative humidity. As long as the air temperature isn't subject to wide fluctuations, there is no need to worry with many types of fish.

Answer 5

Here's the thing, the water in the tank will go to the same temperature as the part of the room it is in if given enough time, but I would still agree with you about putting in a heater just to be sure. It will take the water in the tank time to change to what the room's temperature is, and it will only get to the temperature surrounding it and you don't want to leave it up to that much of a chance. Better just to use a heater to remove the chance that the room will suddenly drop in temperature.

Answer 6

"The temperature of water changes slower than the temperature of the air because water has a higher heat capacity. Heat capacity is a property of a material that describes how much heat energy is required to change the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. About one unit of heat energy is needed to warm the air one degree Celsius. Four times more heat energy is needed to warm the water one degree Celsius."

-- http://omp.gso.uri.edu/doee/science/physical/chtemp6.htm




Water contained in an unheated fish bowl or tank simply cannot maintain the necessary tropical temperatures required by most aquarium fish because "room temperature" in most homes is not comparable to the tropical temperatures the fish need. For instance, a betta housed in a bowl in a home with a thermostat set to 70 degrees is not in an adequate living situation. Not only that, the temperature fluctuations that occur in the absence of a regulating heater are detrimental to fish housed in this way.

Answer 7

yes they need a heater because the room isnt a CONSTANT 72 degrees. Also, how are they going to clean the tank and then put water in if it isnt going to be "room temp" for a long time. The heater is a great idea.

Answer 8

It will be the same as the ambient temp over time. There will be fluctuations, such as when your air conditioner or heater comes on to heat or cool the air, it will take longer for the water temp to change to reach equilibrium with the ambient air temp. The larger the volume of water, the longer it will take to achive equilibrium with the air temp.

Answer 9

The temprature of the water will be the same as the average room temperature. The effect of cooling by evaporation is only very small. A tank heater would be needed for tropical fish or if the room gets much colder at nite.

Answer 10

It should be round-abouts the same temp. You can buy a thermometer for the tank to be sure.Tell them to ask the pet store where they bought the fish.