16 replies to this topic

[Clownz!!]

Hey guys, kind of new to the forum/ and fish keeping in general. But last year I lost a clown loach to the heat, I was wondering how other people go about keeping their tanks cool during summer? I currently have a 6x2'6x1'8 how would you go about keeping that cool? Any feedback is most welcome! because I am not looking forward to 36*+ tanks!!

[Kleinz]

More air! your fish can survive quite a bit of heat as long as they can still breathe. Add an airstone/sponge or turn up the air pump flow. My fish got up to 32 last summer with no ill effects.

[Clownz!!]

Thanx Kleinz, will keep that in mind... I heard that keeping the lids of was a good idea?

[MrLeifBeaver]

Normally the main factor in temperatures problems is the location of the tank. Ie. Shed, House, Kitchen, Garage, etc... The more insulated the area, the safer you are.

Where are your tanks located?

 

But it is good to have a bit of a plan. This is kind of what I have thought about over the years.

 

Location

Make sure the tank in a position out of direct sun and also ensure that it is an insulated spot or cool part of the house.

The tank will fluctaute in temp depending ambient temperature of the room/location, so if you have an airconditioned house the tank will be fine. Its when it's turned off is when you might have a problem (Ie. when your not home)

 

Prevention

Last year I also noticed that my lights and hood combination would warm the tank by 3 degrees from morning to night, so I reduced the hours that the lights were on, thus reducing potentional chances of tank temp fluctations.

I also would basically turn the tank heater off (or I set it to very low) and let the tank warm and cool to the ambient temperature of the house.

 

Action

I also made a bit more of an effort to check the tank water temps and made note any major changes due to heat waves or a hot day.

 

Plan & Prepare

I also did pre-freeze ice cream containers of tank water (Or a takeaway containter) just incase I had some major temp spikes and if there was a spike I could just float a block in the tank. Quite simple.

I also noticed tap water is generally cooler as it is under water so I also had sometimes planned to do WC on the hot summer days, which also meant I could water my plants with the tank water.

 

Really the only time I started to worry was when the nights were super warm as well as the days and the tank has no chance to cool down a bit.

 

This year I have LED's so I am interested to see the difference in temp changes.  i think the tank will run a lot cooler

 

I am quite lucky in that my fish love a balmy 29-31degrees (currently have it at 29). So During the summer I don't have to worry too much.

 

But at least im ready just incase.

Edited by MrLeifBeaver, 30 October 2013 - 03:05 PM.

[Clownz!!]

My tanks are pretty much in an insulated shed...Can still get very hot though.I like the Ice-cream tub idea, that will be handy. I will set the lights hours shorter and take off the lids if it gets too hot!! I also heard about placing fans to blow across the water?

[TheTexasCichlidMasacre]

if they are in a shed... buy a cheap air con thats what i did  and it gets alot hotter where i am then down in perth

[Just Drive]

my tanks are outside and have gotten to 34C, never had any dead fish, could be cause they have a strong water current.

[Clownz!!]

Will be getting an aircon soon enough (hopefully) pretty busy at the moment though, what about chillers or are they more for marine tanks?

[Clownz!!]

Loaches love the current   , + I only moved them to this rivertank setting in the last couple of months  ( 2x 1200l/h + 1x 2000l/h + 1x 3500l/h power heads and fx5) they LOVE playing in the bubbley current of the power heads!!

[Redevilz]

Yeah kleinz's advice was great. The temp in my Tank once got to 34 with no problems because I added an air pump.

Cheers

[TheTexasCichlidMasacre]

some people wouldnt want to risk it... if you feel unsure about letting them get that high use the aircon to keep the room at a certain temp and helping to regulate the temp of tanks ...

 

just because your tank got to 34 and your fish survived does not make it right... lol different fish may struggle with that heat and some may not...

Edited by TheTexasCichlidMasacre, 30 October 2013 - 11:39 PM.

[bigjohnnofish]

Location

Make sure the tank in a position out of direct sun and also ensure that it is an insulated spot or cool part of the house.

The tank will fluctaute in temp depending ambient temperature of the room/location, so if you have an airconditioned house the tank will be fine. Its when it's turned off is when you might have a problem (Ie. when your not home)

 

Prevention

Last year I also noticed that my lights and hood combination would warm the tank by 3 degrees from morning to night, so I reduced the hours that the lights were on, thus reducing potentional chances of tank temp fluctations.

I also would basically turn the tank heater off (or I set it to very low) and let the tank warm and cool to the ambient temperature of the house.

 

Action

I also made a bit more of an effort to check the tank water temps and made note any major changes due to heat waves or a hot day.

 

Plan & Prepare

I also did pre-freeze ice cream containers of tank water (Or a takeaway containter) just incase I had some major temp spikes and if there was a spike I could just float a block in the tank. Quite simple.

I also noticed tap water is generally cooler as it is under water so I also had sometimes planned to do WC on the hot summer days, which also meant I could water my plants with the tank water.

 

great advice there  if your new to keeping fish take some notes.. 

obviously one can buy a chiller to run on your tank - or even run a small fan over the surface of your tank to increase evaporation and remove some heat that way...

and lastly get yourself one of them industrial type fans from bunnings and keep air moving around your tanks to assist in evaporation and keep cool...

[jesse270]

I find just a regular 30-40 cm fan aimed at the water surface does a great job for my planted tank. 

[TheTexasCichlidMasacre]

i wish i could just use a fan lol

[Evil_Boof]

Imo. nothing beats a 15% wc on those 42+ degree days. fish enjoy the cold water from the hose!

[Michael the fish fanatic]

Apparently you can get rocks that would be ok in your tank ( eg pebbles) and you put them in the freezer and cold lasts longer. I've never tried this but I was told it works. Tell me about your experience with it if you try it out

[MrLeifBeaver]

Apparently you can get rocks that would be ok in your tank ( eg pebbles) and you put them in the freezer and cold lasts longer. I've never tried this but I was told it works. Tell me about your experience with it if you try it out

 

Thanks. That is one I never thought of. Just like rocks in your whisky glass.