Tank Is Too Hot!

[5TankHarmony]

Hey everyone, just a simple question that has been impossible for me to solve. For the last year and a half I have been keeping two fantails in a 29g aquarium. As you are well aware, they are coldwater fish that do best in a temp. in the high 60's to low 70's. Here's the problem, I live in central Florida where it is hot for around 8 mo's out of the year, and I keep my thermostat on 78- and I have no way to get the tank any cooler than that. I have gone to every LFS in my area and none of them sell a chiller anywhere near that small. I also cannot presently afford to turn the AC down any lower. I was hoping that maybe someone else here has had the same problem and has found a solution. Thanks!

 

[fantail]

You could try a fan over the top of the water. To be honest fantails dont mind the temperature going up as long as youve got lots of air going in then they will be fine. Floating ice cubes in a zip lock bag may work as well but you dont want the temp going up and down all the time.

 

[5TankHarmony]

Yeah, I tried ice cubes in a zip lock bag but the temp. went down too quickly.

 

[Needeles]

I myself have the same issue with my tanks getting to hot. I simpy used a couple PC fans to help cool the tank off. They work very well at cooling the tanks and use very little electricity. Do a search for "Cooling Fans" on this site and you should find some different ways that people have done it.

Another idea is making a homemade chiller. Pretty much you need a Powerhead, about 25'-50' tubing & a 5 gallon container. Pretty much hook the tube to the powerhead to pull water through the tubing. Make sure the other end of the tube in in the tank on the oppisite side. Now the rest of tubing needs to be coiled up and placed into the 5 gallon jug. Put some ice in the container and some water. Now close the container up so the coolness stays in. Now the powerhead pulls the water from one side of the tank down the tubing, through the container of ice cold water and back into the tank. As the water moves through the tubing in the 5 gallon container it is cooled off.

I hope this helps alittle.

 

[Dangerdoll]

I use the fan method. I position the fan to where it blows over the surface of the water and under the lighting part. It cools the temp significantly believe it or not...

 

[Red Tailed Wonder]

Why do you need a heater in a Coldwater tank?

 

[plah831]

Why do you need a heater in a Coldwater tank?

Yes you need one, just set to a little lower temp. It keeps the temperature stable, which is the biggest problem with no heater. A daily temp change of 5 degrees Fahrenheit, or more, is stressful for fish and can make them more vulnerable to illnesses and parasites.

But as fantail said, goldfish can do OK at tropical temperatures, as long as the change was gradual and you make sure the water is well-oxygenated. I don't know if long-term tropical temps are "bad" for goldies, though. Perhaps fantail can enlighten us

 

[fantail]

Some people think that keeping goldfish at a tropical temperature keeps the metabollic rate high so lowering the fishes life expectancy. I agree that goldfish should be allowed to have cool temperatures in winter but most people dont have goldfish living that long to make a difference.
Some fancy varieties do need a warm tank as they arent that well bred, such as celestials and bubble eyes.
Goldfish are a temperate species and do well at fluctuating temperatures throughout the year but in a tank too high or low a drop can bring on diseases which is why I dont believe commons and other single tailed types should be in aquariums.

 

[chad55]

I wouldn't really worry about the temp. Fancy goldfish don't mind it at all and besides the water temp is generally around 2 degrees lower than the air so it is probably around 76. That isnt that bad at all. All my coldwater fish get those kind of temps during the summer months in Michigan and they are perfectly fine.

Chad

 

[DeLgAdO]

Hey everyone, just a simple question that has been impossible for me to solve. For the last year and a half I have been keeping two fantails in a 29g aquarium. As you are well aware, they are coldwater fish that do best in a temp. in the high 60's to low 70's. Here's the problem, I live in central Florida where it is hot for around 8 mo's out of the year, and I keep my thermostat on 78- and I have no way to get the tank any cooler than that. I have gone to every LFS in my area and none of them sell a chiller anywhere near that small. I also cannot presently afford to turn the AC down any lower. I was hoping that maybe someone else here has had the same problem and has found a solution. Thanks!

your actually ok

78 isnt bad at all.

-mike