cooling the tank

[jm1212]

close all fo the shutters/blinds in the room (if you have wood blinds, switch them around so you can look down and see the outside; it keeps the sun out great) and keep the light on the tank off for most of the day.

its great at getting rid of algea too.

 

[spirals]

I just tried popping an ice cube into a baggie and floating it. Even with the AC turned onto 70 its 80 in the apt and 84 in the tank (ugh). The fish are all swimming around it now so hopefully it feels good to them and this stupid heat goes away (just a little away?)

 

[j_chicago]

The fan blowing on the water has always helped me out. Just the water evaporates (which is why it cools off) quicker and so you need to top off more often. Also a shorter lighting period.

 

[spirals]

Maybe upping the water changes and adding slightly cooler water? I'm going to try this one out so i'll let you know.
Also I added a glass thermometer (suction cupped to the tank) lower in the water, I wonder if this will read differently than the other sticky thermometer which is closer to the top.

 

[jonnyfry]

i just leave the whole lid off , but if you've got fish that are known to jump then i would put some mesh over it , actually put some mesh over it anyway .

 

[Espada]

Even with the AC turned onto 70 its 80 in the apt and 84 in the tank (ugh).

Most of them can easily handle it for as long as the summer lasts. Understand that fish often also have to deal with those extreme months or days in nature.

 

[Rbishop]

I don't get much accuracy from the sticky style thermometers.

 

[Espada]

I don't get much accuracy from the sticky style thermometers.

You'll be surprised to know how many thermometers aren't accurate and not just the sticky ones.
I'm still looking for a thermometer that can read water temprature with .5 accuracy (prefereable less) without breaking the bank.

 

[Rbishop]

I broke the bank...use lab thermometers for the reason you state and elctronic ones that are calibrated regularly.

 

[CHOMPERS]

I have run tanks in the 95 degree range for months without any die offs. I have kept Chinese Hillstream Loaches in there without losing any (cold water fish). The trick is you need good aeration. Keep an air stone going in your tank and you will be fine.

If you are keeping any cold water fish, it is best to keep the temps down. You can make a cheap chiller using a drink refrigerator (used for around $25 to $50), a coil of tubing, and a power head. Small refrigerators are now about 2x2x2 cubes and will work nicely for even large tanks.