A Warning/reminder For Summer

[norbie]

Please be careful as we're starting to get some very hot days now, that your tank is sheltered from the sunlight and wont overheat.

Yesterday I forgot to close my curtains and it overheated and I lost a fish

Just a reminder to everyone to be careful.

Any tips to cool down an overheated aquarium other than water changes, or tips to keep it cool?

 

[Cheffi]

I've read somewhere that you can freeze water in old lemonade or such bottles (obviously not filling up bottle to the top to allow for expansion) then once frozen floating them in the tank. I believe you can buy (don't know how much) aquarium chillers.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

take the lid off your tank, increase aeration as much as possible and if it's still over heating then get a fan running in the room either blowing across the side of the tank or if possible across the water surface, that should cool the tank down in a steady way, dropping blocks of ice in will cool it but may do it a bit suddenly and un-evenly so if your fish are sensitive to temparature changes then it could do more harm than good.

 

[norbie]

My plec wont like that (nocturnal)

 

[norbie]

What hours would you suggest the lights be on then in a 24 hour period?

? - 12midnight

 

[catxx]

my poor fishies are feeling the heat too. i've left a lid or two open, but cautiously as one of the fish is a jumper! will get hold of some netting or something similar today to put across the top of all the tanks so they can have their lids open. and even remembered to leave the curtains closed!

i'm wary to do the ice cube thing, i don't want to shock them. they were given cooler water changes yesterday (but not dramatically cooler of course)

i'm scared to have the lights on at all in case it boils them, but i think my plants and going to feel the effects of that!

 

[Georgie]

i dont have that problem , its -3 at my place right now

 

[dwarfgourami]

I have shifted my external filter outlets so the outflow breaks the water surface, and put a Stingray filter in with the platy who is on the other side of the tank divider from the ordinary filter outlet- poor lad wasn;t getting any benefit from the filter bubbles. Airstones are fine too. Basically anything that makes the surface move. Am also leaving tank tops as open as I can (have to be cautious, I've got shrimps), windows open, curtains close. Am thinking of getting a couple of fans. The tanks at the top of the house seem to suffer more- I suppose heat rises. And night time is worse, probably because I have a lot of plants, and as we know plants photosynthesise (=make oxygen) in the daytime and not at night.

 

[PaulEbs]

Increasing air circulation in the rooms where your fish are housed helps a great deal. Literally just put a couple of fans on around the room, the tanks will soon cool down.

Regular water changes help too.

Does anyone else get hungrier fish when the temp goes up?
My community tank seem much more hungry and ask for food more when the temp rises during the day!

 

[Vicky99]

I've pointed my filter outlet towards the back of the tank and the surface to get more surface breakage. I'm also doing small water changes every other day to keep the temp down. I've turned off the heater completely. Also, I'm only turning the lights on between about 6pm and 10pm (4 hours) do people think that's ok?

The temp went crazy yesterday but so far all inhabitants seem unaffected.

PaulEbs, my lot are asking for food more often too.

 

[sophos9]

My tank has 2 Ancistrus, 5 adult Zebra Danios, one Blue Dwarf Gourami and 6 Zebra Danio Fry

The tank temp is normally at 25.6 however over the last few days its risen to 27.6 of which the fish all seem completely normal (apart from the Danios will probably start laying eggs everywhere!!

The ice thing I would stay clear of. As far as I know, fish hate rapid temperature change and will not like swimming near something that emits a cold temperature

What is the max temp limit where you should respond with something drastic?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

about 30 degress I think is cause for some serious concern.

 

[Lynz781]

i dont have that problem , its -3 at my place right now

I wish lived where you are. It's far too hot for my liking here.

 

[jarmado]

my tank temp has always been set at 28C.
i am trying 30C for 3 days now and no problems...yet...

 

[PaulEbs]

do you keep discus by any chance?