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Old June 9th 08, 01:19 PM posted to rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc
Ex Pat
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Posts: 9
Default Heat/Tank Dilemma

On Jun 8, 9:12*pm, Brian wrote:
In my office I have a 125 freshwater tank with just community fish. My
air conditioner is crapping out with the temp 100 outside. The AC tech
wants to do his thing this WED where its projected to be around 95. AC
will be off ALL DAY..Tank right now is 81. Normally is't 77/78. Anyone
have any suggestions? I know about ice etc but I'm not going to be
here when this takes place. How hot do you think the tank would get
and how high can the fish take?

Thanks

Brian


I do not think the temp will be too much of an issue as it routinley
gets that hot in our tanks before we turn on the AC for the hot
months. 80-85 may up there but still surviveable for the fish. You
can try a trick a lot of marine and reef tank keeprs use and that is
to have a small fan blowing across the top of the water surface. You
may have to open up the hood / top which would be good anyhow so heat
does not build up, and place fan so it blows across the water,
lengthwise inthe tank. This air movement increases evaporation which
naturally will pull down water temps. You should be fine for a period
of say 24-36 hours like this without any need to get concerned with
water loss due to evaporation. But since it does create a faster
evaporation rate of tank water, do a water change and make sure your
water is topped off then go with a fan.

A fan can reduce the tanks temp by as much as 8 or more degrees. You
may think that blowing the air on the glass will do it too, , but it
will not do a thing to lower the water temp, it has to blow across the
waters surface to lower temperature.