Tank too hot??

[kaisa]

We're finally getting some good hot weather on the west coast of Canada but ive noticed on both my tanks the temp is at 82-84... the heaters have been pulled for about a week as i forget to plug them back in after my water change. One tank is a 65 gallon and the other is just a little 3 gallon betta tank but both at up betweeen 82-84. I have tetras platies gouramis danios whitecloud minnows and bristlenose plec's in the 65. im worried about the minnows as they do like cooler water but what about the rest??

[JustOneMore20]

The White Clouds would be the ones I'd worry about. The others should be ok...especially the pleco and betta as they like warmer water.

I would just try to do small water changes in the tank with white clouds maybe 20% twice a week with slightly cooler water if you can.

[jones57742]

Originally Posted by kaisa

im worried about the minnows as they do like cooler water but what about the rest??

Originally Posted by JustOneMore20

The others should be ok...especially the pleco ... as they like warmer water.

kaisa:

I have plenty room for more fish in my tank but alas none are available which I would enjoy and which would work at 78F (or at Ph = 7.0, or at Gh = 3 or ... ie. you get the drift). I always check the required ecosystem conditions prior to procurement of new fish.

Some Pleco's such as Gold Nuggets and to some extent Queens do indeed enjoy warmer water. Having said that I have had GN's exhibiting breeding behavior in my community tank at 78F.

The Bristlenose Pleco is not reported to be one of the "warmer water" Pleco's and mine appear to be very happy at 78F as they are growing like crazy and one pair, although not physical adults, are exhibiting breeding behavior in and proximate to a rock hole.

Have you considered freezing a gallon of water at 32F and placing in the tank.
When thawed (but the temperature is still 32F) each gallon will lower the tank temperature 2.2F.
When the temperature of the gallon of water is allowed to come to tank temperature the tank temperature will be lowered approximately 3.4F (2.2F + 1.2F).

TR

[lohachata]

get some paper half gallon milk cartons.open them up and fill with water and freeze.then just float it in the tank for a bit.

[akangelfood]

Leave you hood (if you have one) open, and run a fan over the surface of the water. A desk-style clip on fan works well for this. You will have to top off your water more frequently because it aids evaporation. Make sure the fan can't fall in the tank, whever you put it