How to keep tank coolish

My tank have been getting way too hot with this heat, ive even lost fishes a lot too. Ive put my fan on it but not really helping. Any advice? Especially for when im at work.

 

What temperature is your tank sitting at now? And how much lower would you like to get it?

Something a few people don't realize is that temperature doesn't act on its own when affecting fishes, as it also impacts the amount of oxygen in the water, too. Oftentimes people lose fish during hotter times of the year not necessarily because the water is too warm (although this does happen), but because there just isn't enough oxygen, particularly in a well-stocked tank.

The first step in addressing heat issues is therefore to up the oxygenation of the tank. Most commonly people employ an airpump and airstones, but agitating the water surface by other means works too - try aiming your filter outlet such that it makes more ripples across the water surface. This will facilitate greater gas exchange, and to some degree more heat exchange too.

Feeding less during hot periods decreases the oxygen demand of the tank as well. Fish metabolism increases directly after feeding, and therefore O2 demand.

If temperature is still too excessive, there are a few methods to bring the temperature down a little.
- Floating a bottle of frozen water can keep things cool over an extended period, but be careful as using too large a bottle in too small a tank can rapidly decrease the temperature. Experiment with the smallest containers you can find first, and move on to progressively larger ones later if need be.
- You can set up a drip system with a bottle of frozen/partially frozen water. You can do this by suspending this bottle above the tank with a few small holes at the bottom. This can ensure that changes in temperature are not too rapid (and therefore, is a little safer).
- Daily water changes using water a couple of degrees cooler than your tank can help mitigate the problem.
- Open up your house a little for better air circulation. You'll be surprised how well this helps get out the stagnant, warm air. However, bear in mind that you're still in South Africa, so do not leave your house vulnerable by leaving too much open.
- You can try rig up a small computer fan to blow across the surface of the water. Some people install these small fans into their aquarium hoods - there are a few DIY solutions you can find with a quick Google.
- More expensive, but if your'e serious, is buying and using a piece of equipment called a chiller. These devices can be heavy on the pocket both initially and using electricity, but maintain the tank at a very specific temperature.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

 

Wow thanks. At the moment its 30degrees, so my fan is on. My local LFS said that for my tropical fish in the summer the water must be at 26degrees. They also told me that their co2 is low when they at the surface a lot but they not, they at the bottom. My filter and airpump is in 1 or build as one in the tank bought it like that. So dont know if that might be the issue. And I tested my water with JBL Proscan and it showed even co2 is ok. I want to introduce a plant or 2 for more oxygen. Um seriously still a rookie at this.

 

Tim's advise is spot on, it's more about the levels of oxygen than the actual temperature in most cases. A sure sign of oxygen (O2) depletion is fish gasping for air at the surface, or darting more frequently to the surface for a gasp of air, as your pet shop mentioned.
An airstone (in my experience) remains the most effective way to agitate the water, add O2 and dissipate heat. If you are not happy with your current setup get a cheap air pump and airstone, it's is easy to install, and can be removed once temps have dropped.

 

Can there be too much co2? Or can I have my current and get another one to? They hardly go to the surface only sometimes

 

I think you meant o2 not co2, you can add another airpump no problem. I installed 2 PC case fans in my lid of my CRS tank to keep them cool, the lid is also lifted to allow air flow. I do get a lot of evaporation at 2L a day, that's good as it's actually the event of evaporation itself that cools the water, there's an energy exchange when evaporation takes place cooling the water in the process. Tank is set up to run at 23c and is holding that temp well. My other unheated tanks are 27-30 without fans.

It's really easy to do, drill holes in the lid to fit the fans with a hole saw and hook them up to an old cell phone charger. Mine are blowing down onto the water creating an air current over the surface as the air moves from the fans to the opening between the lid and tank. I lost all my CRS last year this time because of the heat, now it's going very well with not a single death.

My light on that tank is also a LED spot that doesn't create much heat to help keep it cool.

 

@Lorinza, all the advice given so far is spot on.

Not sure what fish you keep but if there is enough oxygen, they should be ok for a few days at 30 deg
My tanks were at nearly 31 over the weekend

1- Switch your heaters off and monitor while you doing this in case weather suddenly changes and you need to switch on again
2- Get a cheap airpump (as suggested above) and add some air stones to increase movement and oxygen
3- Cut down on your light periods ie: switch off during peak heat periods in the day.
4- Place a fan in front of the tank, I use a normal house fan when needed.
5- Without jeopardizing your security, open windows or doors that can create a draft, the build up of humidity makes the heat worse
These are the simpler things you can do to start off with
If these don't help then water changes, ice bottles etc.. as @SalmonAfrica mentioned, also work very well

 

Thank you for all the advice I appreciate it. I lost a lot of fish with this heat but also have my fan on the tank. Unfortunately I won't be able to open any windows as im not there. But im now definitely going to get another airpump with an airstone. I wanted to do it a week ago already but the lady at my LFS said im then going to kill them because then there's too much o2. Im also going to install that computer fan idea because if the water gets too cold my heater will switch on. But thank you!!!!

 

Will a note book cooler work?

 

Hahaha...not going to happen, ever. It's not the bubbles that oxygenates the water and it doesn't "add" new oxygen(only % of gasses that are available in the atmosphere will be dissolved), it's the surface agitation when they break the surface that causes gas exchange. With her "logic" fish shouldn't be able to survive in the ocean or near a waterfall.

This is what I do. My temp on the tank is rock solid.

 

Well because of my LFS I lost about 15 fishies over the weekend I was heartbroken. I had huge problems with my temperature and the LFS told me I shouldn't put a fan on and that its my fault because there must be something wrong with my water but parameters were 100%.

 

Ai that's bad, you found the right place now to ask for help so things will get better. All of the peoples advice above is gold. The sad thing is a lot of LFS's want you to have trouble, that way they make more money. I've had a few encounters where I was told all manner of nonsense.