High Temps?

[FishyReef]

How high can the temp in a tank go before things start dying? It was the first real summer-like day here in Boston and my 10g was up around 82 degrees when I came home, I figured that was high but not deadly. Then just noticed my fish starting to act almost frantic-like, darting around the tank - looked at the temp and it was at 83.7. I've put two ice cubes in a plastic bag in the HOB filter to bring the temps down. I need to configure a screen top for days like this, but with a firefish don't want to risk taking the hood off. So I guess I'm just wondering how high can the temp go before I really need to start worrying?

 

[Waddi]

I have no idea what kind of limit there is really, but I think what effects it most is a sudden drop or increase in temp is what can be deadly.
What type of screen do you have? A netting one shouldnt retain any heat. My method for this is to just run a small fan across the surface of the tank.

 

[FishyReef]

Yeah, I don't want to drop the temp too fast! I actually don't have a screen - just the stock hood that came with the 10g tank, so it doesn't offer much air flow. I tried to retrofit some screen to the area that flips up for feeding, but I couldn't get it to stick, so went the ice cube method instead. I've got the screen material from BRS for my 90, but guess I'd better get on top of making a little screen for my 10g too. I've been keeping the tank around 79.3, so this was a few degree increase over the course of the day. I'm going to try to bring it down a degree or so but then let it cool off naturally over the night so that I don't bring it down too fast.

 

[Waddi]

Yea, I would make a screen for the 10g, makes the world of difference.

 

[Bluesaltwater87]

from what i have read i have learned that at 84 degrees is the max but it cant stay there for long. anything higher will start killing off stuff. I try to keep my tank at 77-78

 

[FishyReef]

Okay, fixed up a very temporary screen with double-sided tape:



Let's hope it can keep Violet inside the tank!







Not really sure it will withstand the force of a jumping firefish, but fingers crossed she sleeps through the night and the kitties don't end up with an unexpected treat at 2am! lol

 

[Bluesaltwater87]

if you have a small fan or a fan that can do vary low speed you can aim it at the water and let it cool that way

 

[FishyReef]

if you have a small fan or a fan that can do vary low speed you can aim it at the water and let it cool that way

Unfortunately I don't have a fan to blow across the top. But its already cooled off more than a degree, so at this point I'm just going to let it happen over time. I'm a bit concerned it will cool too fast at this point - it is only April after all and there is a very nice cooler breeze coming in the windows. I'm actually thinking I might need to get up to check on the tank in a few hours to make sure the temp hasn't dropped too fast!

 

[Bluesaltwater87]

I would too. :)

 

[FishyReef]

Well the tank was 76.6 when I woke up this morning - that's a big drop! Everyone seemed to be okay but I'm definitely going to need to figure something out to keep temps stable in this little tank before summer really arrives!

 

[wontonflip]

Well, if you have a heater, it shouldn't go down that low. So having the open top plus the heater should help regulate the temp.

 

[reefer82]

Okay, fixed up a very temporary screen with double-sided tape:



Let's hope it can keep Violet inside the tank!







Not really sure it will withstand the force of a jumping firefish, but fingers crossed she sleeps through the night and the kitties don't end up with an unexpected treat at 2am! lol

Beautiful fish. and I love those rocks what are they??