85 degrees?

[fishysmell]

This is another stupid question out of my surprisingly confused mind. I live in western washington, thus, hot weather is not all that common around here. Keep in mind hot is like 85 degrees here. Anyway, I just set up a 10 and that thing heats up way faster than my other larger tanks. I think the halogens contribute to the problem aswell but thats the best lighting I can find for a tight space. Anyway, my question is this, are your typical 75 degree loving tropical fish going to do all right in 85 degree water or are they going to get screwed up, stressed, sterilized, etc.? I'm willing to go with warmer water fish (aka discus tankmates) but I kinda wanna throw in a small pair of apistos and some tetras (or whatever else small and cool I can find). Will they be alright?

I'm sorry this is so stupid to you tropical climate members but I am definately not accustom to this problem.

 

[Jawz]

yeh 85 is a litte high and can be stressful to fish. Maybe u could swap the halogens for the screw in flourescent lights, that should help to cool down the tank a bit. They should survive and if they adapt they will live in it i belive, but if u could get it down to 80 then ud be far better off and not at that much risk.

 

[FroggyFox]

My lights screw with the temperature...I just leave the light off more often than its on and the temperature doesn't get out of hand. I agree that 85 is probably a bit too hot.

 

[mike the zealot]

I keep my 55 at 83.2 degrees. My daughter turned the heater up to 93 a couple days ago and it got up to 90.3 (the dial is now taped in position) I wouldn't worry about 85 if you're doing apistos and the like. It's probably only getting that high for a few hours a day. If it bothers you, turn off the lights except after work/school to watch the fish... unless you're doing plants o/c

 

[geKo]

Malawi mbuna have been known to handle temps as high as 100 F.

A 10 gallon is kinda small for mbuna but you could easily put in a pair of saulosi. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/p_saulosi.php

If you dont know anything about cihclids and you consider buying them for your tank be sure to read up on them.

Some good info can be found at http://www.cichlid-forum.com/

 

[fishysmell]

Yea I have plants so unless the temp is getting really high I will have to leave the lights all day. I did reduce the amount of time that they are on though so that might help.

I have thought about cichlids and I actually plan to get some in the future after I get another rainbow tank and a pseudomugil tank. I can't bear to put anything but small dwarf ciclids in a tank this small so 3-4 in. saulosi are kind of outta the question for me. I personally would put them in a 55, no smaller. I kind of have a thing for small fish in big tanks.

I appreciate the help from everyone, thanks a lot.

 

[geKo]

Originally posted by fishysmell
Yea I have plants so unless the temp is getting really high I will have to leave the lights all day. I did reduce the amount of time that they are on though so that might help.

I have thought about cichlids and I actually plan to get some in the future after I get another rainbow tank and a pseudomugil tank. I can't bear to put anything but small dwarf ciclids in a tank this small so 3-4 in. saulosi are kind of outta the question for me. I personally would put them in a 55, no smaller. I kind of have a thing for small fish in big tanks.

I appreciate the help from everyone, thanks a lot.

I understand. Maby you could try some rasboras

I have a 10gallon planted with 1 oto and 6 rasboras. It makes for a stunning display. Im not sure about the temp situation though as my rasboras are in a tank with no heater

 

[fishyboy]

I live in AZ and have the same problem with my 10g. My tank only gets to about 81 at the most and the fish don't seem to mind. I started a different thread asking how to cool it and the answers I got were:
1. Point a small fan directly at the tank and it should cool a few degrees.
2. Float a container of ice in the tank.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[geKo]

Originally posted by fishyboy
I live in AZ and have the same problem with my 10g. My tank only gets to about 81 at the most and the fish don't seem to mind. I started a different thread asking how to cool it and the answers I got were:
1. Point a small fan directly at the tank and it should cool a few degrees.
2. Float a container of ice in the tank.

Hope this helps.

Dave

There is also chillers but they cost $$$

 

[TommyB]

We had a little heat wave here in NYC last week. ANd my non-ac apartment was at 90 plus degrees. both my tanks got very close to ninety. i tried dumping in ice cubes but i think it takes alot of ice to cool a 55 gallon. my gouramis liked them though

Finally i gave up and did a water change and that lowered the temp back to about normal.

I did notice however that the high temps sent both of my female parrots into breed mode. they both wrecked my tank, dug holes, and laid eggs. The male tried to fert them, but to no avail(unless they ate them without me seeing)

So not only did my tanks get supper hot, but all the debris that got kicked up made my PH go down into the low 6's.

Man, i never thought beautifull, sunny days would be so troublesome.

 

[Angelfish]

I have the same problem too with my 10 gal. it also contains gold fish that like cool water. I do water changes everyday, I add cold water to cool down the tank, its working well so far.

 

[fishysmell]

Hey thanks for the tips. I tried the fan thing and it kinda worked but the water change definately works so now I have an emergency plan. It cooled down a bit up here since I first posted but it is still hitting 80 pretty regularly. I guess if we get another heat wave I'll be doing water changes like mad.

geKo: I do have some rasboras but their in my 60. I have a very nice 15 harlequin school. They're really fun to watch since they school so tight.