We're having a bit of a heatwave here in the UK at the moment! My tank water has gone up to 30 degrees. Is this too warm for tetras, danios and ottos? If so, what is the best way to cool the water down? 
Is the water too warm?
- Thread starter glittergirl
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wow thats pretty warm. thats about 85 degrees F right?? Its not deadly but the oxygen levels will be reduced pretty significantly. I'd do a water change using cooler water but do it over the course of a couple hours if you have the time to spare so its not a quick drop. You don't want a bad case of ich on your hands either.
Ich is caused by a parasitic ciliate, not by a mild temperature drop. What you should drop is the water level, to get some extra splash-- for oxygen. Open the top of the tank if you can.
So a temp. drop seriously doesn't cause Ich??? Man I've been under that impression for years now and could never understand how that could happen. I knew it sounded a little bizarre for a parasite to miraculously form from just a temp drop. Anybody else ever heard someone tell you that temp drop causes this?? Sorry for the misguidance there.
the temp hike shouldnt be a problem if its only over a short period of time, lets face it with the english weather it likley to be,
be wary when dropping the temp with a water change as you may be tempted to drop it too low, open the aquariam lid, make sure it is not in direct sun light and all should be ok.
with regards the parasite i believe that it cant thrive above 30 degrees, so a drop in temp and an attack of ich would be coincidental, no doubt someone will correct me good luck anyway.
be wary when dropping the temp with a water change as you may be tempted to drop it too low, open the aquariam lid, make sure it is not in direct sun light and all should be ok.
with regards the parasite i believe that it cant thrive above 30 degrees, so a drop in temp and an attack of ich would be coincidental, no doubt someone will correct me good luck anyway.
The life cycle of ick is slower at lower temps, but the temp in no way is causitive. Too often, events that coincide are 'decided' to be correlated. Not the case.
Glittergirl--make sure the tank is not in direct light, and limit the length of time the lights are on. I swap my lights around during the summer, so they are not on during the hottest portions of the day. If you don't have plants, forgo the lights for any time that you are not there to view the fish.
Glittergirl--make sure the tank is not in direct light, and limit the length of time the lights are on. I swap my lights around during the summer, so they are not on during the hottest portions of the day. If you don't have plants, forgo the lights for any time that you are not there to view the fish.
I don't know if I like the idea of opening the aquarium lid. I have danios in my tank - don't they have a reputation for jumping out of the tank? 
Also, I have a cat who might find the tank suddenly very interesting
I did try turning the tank light off thinking it was heating the tank - it didn't really make much difference, but the fish thought it was bedtime and went into night-time mode!
Also, I have a cat who might find the tank suddenly very interesting I did try turning the tank light off thinking it was heating the tank - it didn't really make much difference, but the fish thought it was bedtime and went into night-time mode!
dont worry too much the fish will tolerate the slight rise in temp
i have just done a water change, prior to the change the water was at 80 degrees, it has run at this for most of the week with no adverse effects.
my tank usually runs between 76 and 78, i think you may be worrying unduly about the rise in temp. this time of year always sees small increases in water temp.
i have just done a water change, prior to the change the water was at 80 degrees, it has run at this for most of the week with no adverse effects.
my tank usually runs between 76 and 78, i think you may be worrying unduly about the rise in temp. this time of year always sees small increases in water temp.
Get some plastic screening and knock together a wooden summertime frame. Lay two dowels crossways and rest the lights on that (not to melt plastic eh.)
Fanning depends on evaporation. The fan on the dry glass does almost nothing. But wring out a towel and drape it over the aquarium when the lights are off. Run the fan on that, and you'll get some fine cooling effect. (desperate personal experience here inNY-- where the heat will eventually come...)
optix, you'll see folks spending major energy "acclimating" the new fish by ladling tablespoons of water into the travel bag, to equalize temperatures-- then dump in the newcomers, with the tiny Ich parasites already on their gills-- with no quarantine!
It's very like the myth of "catching a chill" by going out with your hair wet etc etc...
Ich is a parasitic ciliate. Colds are caused by rhinoviruses. A good splash of cold water encourages Corydoras to spawn...
Fanning depends on evaporation. The fan on the dry glass does almost nothing. But wring out a towel and drape it over the aquarium when the lights are off. Run the fan on that, and you'll get some fine cooling effect. (desperate personal experience here inNY-- where the heat will eventually come...)
optix, you'll see folks spending major energy "acclimating" the new fish by ladling tablespoons of water into the travel bag, to equalize temperatures-- then dump in the newcomers, with the tiny Ich parasites already on their gills-- with no quarantine!
It's very like the myth of "catching a chill" by going out with your hair wet etc etc...
Ich is a parasitic ciliate. Colds are caused by rhinoviruses. A good splash of cold water encourages Corydoras to spawn...