how do you keep your tank cool??

[Madi's Platy]

With just a few hot days, my tanks are already starting to creep up in temperature. Is there a way to keep them from overheating other than running the air conditioner all the time?
Thanks

 

[heresmike]

How high is the water temp getting? As long as it doesn't get much over mid-80, I wouldn't worry about it. In extreme cases, I've heard of people putting ice cubes in a ziploc bag and floating it in the tank. This would take some monitoring to make sure you don't get it too cold, or let it swing back and forth too much.

 

[J_acon]

If you really want to do something about it, there are CHILLERS in the market to actually cool down your aquarium. Try the link

Link

Second time i have seen these question

 

[Stryker]

to save major fluctuations cool the room! treat yourself and fishies of course to a nice portable aircon unit. Here in the UK they are around £250, if your in the states then no doubt you will get one half that price.

 

[snotirl]

Wat i do is throw in a few ice-cubes 1 or 2. It works good

 

[heresmike]

Wat i do is throw in a few ice-cubes 1 or 2. It works good

I wouldn't recommend throwing the ice directly in the tank. The fish could just get frozen to it (ever stick your tongue on a fence post when it freezing outside?) If you're going to use ice, I'd recommend putting it in a ziploc bag first.

 

[Doggfather]

i also put a couple of cubes in when it gets hot

 

[petitericeball]

here it rarely gets over 90 but still air conditioning rocks... we keep ours around 68 and i got the tank heater so it kinda works

 

[smithrc]

live in the uk.... problem solved

 

[Madi's Platy]

Thanks everyone, it is going up to about 80 right now and it is the change that I am most worried about. Those chillers are really expensive, I think that I will spring for the air conditioner!!! (I would guess the a.c. is cheaper than moving to the U.K. too)
I did throw a couple of ice cubes into my 10 gallon---never even thought about my fish getting stuck to it!!! You wouldn't think I would have to worry about such a thing in New England, but the summer can get nasty and my place really heats up quick. BTW I've really got the bug, we are getting a third tank tomorrow (a freebie from a friend).

 

[heresmike]

As long as the change is gradual, and the temps don't get too high, I wouldn't worry about it too much!

 

[Opcn]

don't wory about fish freezing to the cubes (the fence posts are below 0 c and the best way to get off of one is to pour warm water on your tounge and the fish are surrounded in warm water) the thing to worry about is chlorine unless you make your ice cubes with toxin free water.

 

[Silly me]

I never cool the water in any of my tank and the fish seems to do well, the temp reach almost 100F, 40degC in the summer, but only cools to 70F, 21degC in the winter, outside lots less.

 

[heresmike]

don't wory about fish freezing to the cubes (the fence posts are below 0 c and the best way to get off of one is to pour warm water on your tounge and the fish are surrounded in warm water) the thing to worry about is chlorine unless you make your ice cubes with toxin free water.

Well even if they don't "freeze" to it, they could come into direct contact with something very cold when they try to peck at it. A ziploc bag is cheap, and acts as a good barrier between the ice and the fish. Personally I would NOT throw ice right into the tank.

 

[panboy]

for me a small fan i ghetto rigged is worked well. im in arizona and its hitting the 100's already, so i got an old 2inch computer fan, cut wires and wired it to an old old cell phone outlet jack thing and now my temp has gone from 82 to 78.
working good so far.

u could buy one as well thats already made, but they are at least 30$ and that seems pretty pricey for a small fan that i made with old equipment