Hot weather

[Fish]

I’m just thinking in advance, if we get horribly hot weather this year, what do you do to keep the tank at the temp you want? I’m guessing ice cubes or frozen water in a bottle? But it seems like a hit and miss idea at making sure it stays at the same temp

[fr499y]

Nothing, I leave it as it is.

[Fish]

Nothing, I leave it as it is.

Oh. Did the temperature not change then? I guess I’m just remembering how hot my house got when we had that really hot summer. Guess I’m overthinking it!

[Martinspuddle]

If you watch some of the videos of Below Water on YouTube, it isn't unusual for water temperatures to hit 28°C to 30°C in the dry season in some parts of Orinoco basin in South America.

High water temperatures caused by warm weather only become an issue for cold water species or a Coral reef aquariums.

[Stephen]

Nothing, I leave it as it is.

Me too.

Although it may get warm (up to 30C on a hot Summer day) I don't really worry.
In their natural habitat the water temperature varies anyway, so a seasonal variation in our aquariums shouldn't really be a concern.
The only thing that may be of concern is oxygenation, as the aquarium water temperature rises then there is less oxygen.
Plenty of surface agitation and maybe the addition of an airstone at the warmer times.

[Fish]

If you watch some of the videos of Below Water on YouTube, it isn't unusual for water temperatures to hit 28°C to 30°C in the dry season in some parts of Orinoco basin in South America.

High water temperatures caused by warm weather only become an issue for cold water species or a Coral reef aquariums.

I’ve just realised I’m being a bit of an idiot and didn’t take into consideration the fact they already have heated water. I was thinking back to when I had axolotl who need cold water.

[Fish]

Nothing, I leave it as it is.

Me too.

Although it may get warm (up to 30C on a hot Summer day) I don't really worry.
In their natural habitat the water temperature varies anyway, so a seasonal variation in our aquariums shouldn't really be a concern.
The only thing that may be of concern is oxygenation, as the aquarium water temperature rises then there is less oxygen.
Plenty of surface agitation and maybe the addition of an airstone at the warmer times.

Thank you. My filter doesn’t agitate the water a huge amount so will definitely get a cheap air stone.

[Martinspuddle]

will definitely get a cheap air stone.

Don't forget attach airline and pump to your shiny new air stone!

[BAINBRIDGE]

There are a few things that I do to keep temps down in my display tank when we get a hot spell.

Once the room temperature gets to about 21c I unplug the tank heater and leave it unplugged. At the moment room temperature is about 22c but tank temp is 25c. It's like a heat sink that just sucks warmth up.

I reduce the duration of lights on. Even LEDs create heat and they do warm the water.

I've just bought a replacement set of lid flaps. I'm going to drill lots of holes in the new lid and glue some fine mesh on the back. So, the plan is that I'll lose some heat through evaporation but the jumpers won't leap to their death.

I had an incident 2 years ago during a very hot spell where several fish became ill. It might be coincidence but I think that it is bad for the fish when it gets hot.

[fr499y]

Why unplug a heater? If the room temp is higher than the heater then it won’t kick in anyway.