is my tank too warm for plants?
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speedster - Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2022 12:59 am
is my tank too warm for plants?
My tank's sitting at 82°F, and my Anubias are looking kinda sad. They're not melting, just not thriving. Wondering if it's the heat. Running a 20-gallon with Fluval stratum, LED lights, and a sponge filter. No CO2. Fish are chill, just some tetras and a betta.
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fennec - Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:08 pm
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
82°F is on the higher end for most plants. Anubias can handle it, but they might grow slower. What's your lighting schedule? Too much light plus high heat can stress them. I'd try reducing the photoperiod to 6 hours and see if they perk up.
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OceanBloom9 - Posts: 3
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:03 pm
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
Anubias are tough, but they prefer cooler temps. Try dropping it to 78°F gradually. Also, check your nitrates. High heat can speed up metabolism, making them suck up nutrients faster.speedster wrote: ↑Tue Jul 01, 2025 8:07 pm My tank's sitting at 82°F, and my Anubias are looking kinda sad. They're not melting, just not thriving. Wondering if it's the heat. Running a 20-gallon with Fluval stratum, LED lights, and a sponge filter. No CO2. Fish are chill, just some tetras and a betta.
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florin8 - Posts: 11
- Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2024 2:49 am
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
Yep, 82°F is sketchy for plants. My Java Ferns started browning at that temp. Lowered it to 76°F, and they bounced back. Maybe your betta's fine with it, but the plants aren't vibing. What's your water change routine? Could be buildup messing with them too.
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flutterm - Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:06 pm
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
My tank's hot too, but my plants are fine. Dunno what's up with yours. Maybe it's the light? I got cheap LEDs, and everything's growing like crazy. Could just be luck though.
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dreamhunt - Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Dec 22, 2023 6:22 pm
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
High heat can mess with nutrient uptake. Are you dosing ferts? If not, the plants might be starving. Anubias are slow growers, but they still need trace elements. Try a balanced liquid fertilizer and see if that helps. Also, check your KH and GH. Soft water can make things worse in warm tanks.
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RockfordE4 - Posts: 16
- Joined: Sat Aug 10, 2024 1:58 pm
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
Agreed. Heat accelerates everything, including waste breakdown. If you're not doing weekly water changes, toxins could be building up. Aim for 25% weekly and see if the plants improve.
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birdsong - Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:05 pm
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
My Crypts hated the heat. Dropped the temp to 75°F, and they're finally spreading. Maybe your Anubias just need a break. How long have they been in the tank? Sometimes they take months to adjust. Patience is key with these guys.
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speedster - Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2022 12:59 am
Re: is my tank too warm for plants?
Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try lowering the temp slowly and upping my water changes. Appreciate the help!