high water temp

[Wat2Go]

I am keeping the temp in my tanks lower than 80F as best as I can (hovering around 78 - 79) by doing more frequent water changes. The temp (with the AC full on) in our house is about 82 and all tanks except the 3 gallon are doing well with this regiment.
I have to do 60% water change in the 3 gallon once a day to keep it lower than 80, the temp rises to 84 (sometimes 86) fairly easily, even though I have moved it in a far more shadier spot and turn the light on later and off earlier. I don't mind doing the water changes (it takes me all of 5 minutes) and the mickey moons are happy BUT now I am going on vacation and the person feeding our fish will not do water changes.

Will the moons be ok in the warmer water for 2 weeks and 3 weeks (after 2 weeks someone will do a water change). Could I leave the lights off in all tanks (I am thinking the lights warm the water?) during the vacation (daylight will get into the rooms so they won't be in total darkness)?

L.

[Weezer]

Leaving the lights off should be fine, i take it you don't have live plants, what kind of bulbs do you have, fluorescents shouldn't make much difference in heat..if you have heaters are they turned up to high or working properly......:)

[jm1212]

they should be fine if you leave the lighs off. the light can acctually make a pretty big difference if it is left on for extended periods of time.

[Wat2Go]

Hmm, didn't think about the plants..because yes, we do have live plants in every tank...So instead of off I will shorter the light time dramatically...

I have broken down the 3 gallon this morning, because the temp was again 86 (overnight!), the fish have been put in the 55 and they are fine.

[Mgamer20o0]

get some fans and put over the tank. leave the lids off also. only keep the lights on 8 hours a day.

[rbishop]

A lot of my tanks never run with lights, except the ambeint lighting in the room.