Re: NANFA-- wintering darters outside

John Bongiovanni (bongi_at_cox-internet.com)
Thu, 19 Sep 2002 19:40:53 -0500

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Insulate three sides plus the bottom. Expect a lot of evaporation.
Keep an eye on the temp on the coldst days. The heater might not keep
up with the demand. Might need two of 'em. Obviously, keep a cover on
the top of the tank. Allow your water changes and refills to get close
to the temp of the tank water to prevent shock to your fish.

Had turtle in a 29 gallon on time. Kept him in my garage in E. Texas.
One winter while I was gone the electricity was cut off in the garage
and we had a real cooold spell.
When I got back there was a two inch solid layer of ice on the tank. I
chipped away the ice warmed up the water and the old turtle rose up and
ate his first meal and acted like nothing happened.

john

Prizma_at_aol.com wrote:

>asking help, suggestions or experience in doing this...
>im considering leaving a few tanks outside on the patio this winter for
>darters. i will use a power head w/ a ug filter and a gravel substrate. java
>fern and moss if they will survive the cold. it will get cold enough to ice
>over a few times so i will install a heater that will turn on if the water
>gets below say 40. i cant heat the water all winter but i could prevent it
>from freezing. im hoping to see some breeding color and activity as spring
>approaches. i live at the bottom of tn and our winters have been very mild
>the last few years. very few freezes or snow. a lot of folks up north over
>winter their darters in the basement. i dont have that option. i can keep an
>eye on them on the patio tho. i dont know if heaters have a setting to turn
>on at 40 being most are for tropical fish.
>thanks...
>casper
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/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org
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