Oh No! My AC is out!! - Aquarium Advice

johnkristie · 06-22-2008, 08:27 PM

My air conditioning in the house went out yesterday and we are in the midst of a heat wave. My house and aquarium are up to 85 degrees. I'm afraid I might start to lose fish if it gets any hotter. I've got a FOWLR about 250 gal. I don't have a chiller 'cause in San Diego we really don't need it. I put fans on the top to help evaporate some of the heat out, but it doesn't help much. What can I do? HELP!!!

Regen311 · 06-22-2008, 09:07 PM

I've floated a bag of frozen peas in the tank before to help in a situation similar to that... ice cubes... I'm not sure though other than that...

Innovator · 06-22-2008, 09:26 PM

Are you gong to fix the ac or buy a new one? Can you purchase a small ac in the meantime? Can you borrow chiller from a reef club? What about renting a chiller from an lfs? <--You'd be surprised

**melosu58** · 06-22-2008, 10:02 PM

Also a fan blowing across the top of your tank will work wonders.

**Ziggy953** · 06-23-2008, 12:16 AM

I agree with Mike...some fans blowing across the tank and reduced photo period will do the trick until you can get the AC fixed or replaced.

**lando** · 06-23-2008, 10:56 PM

Keep in mind that 85 is not too far out of range. While not ideal, most fish and inverts can tolerate this temp for a short period of time. The key is to not over-react and drop the temp too quickly. This will cause more stress on the livestock then the 85 degree temp itself. The idea of a fan blowing across the surface of the tank is about the best option for you (convection cooling) if you run a tank without a cover. You can also cut your lights out during the hottest time of the day.

lance · 06-24-2008, 02:20 AM

Some fans and a gallon zip lock filled with ice. If you have good flow then it will help water from getting to high.

But i think in a FO tank it shouldnt be to bad as long as you dont cook them. MMM with butter MB.

johnkristie · 06-25-2008, 12:55 AM

Thanks guys for all the advice. The fans cooled it slightly by about a degree. The AC is fixed now and the tank is running a cool 79 degrees.

**melosu58** · 06-28-2008, 07:42 AM

Sounds like good news to me.

06-22-2008, 08:27 PM	#1
johnkristie Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 207 Images: 12	Oh No! My AC is out!! My air conditioning in the house went out yesterday and we are in the midst of a heat wave. My house and aquarium are up to 85 degrees. I'm afraid I might start to lose fish if it gets any hotter. I've got a FOWLR about 250 gal. I don't have a chiller 'cause in San Diego we really don't need it. I put fans on the top to help evaporate some of the heat out, but it doesn't help much. What can I do? HELP!!! __________________ For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities...have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

06-22-2008, 09:07 PM	#2
Regen311 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Swanton, OH Posts: 334	I've floated a bag of frozen peas in the tank before to help in a situation similar to that... ice cubes... I'm not sure though other than that... __________________ 55 gallon planted The babies Sometimes we live no particular way but our own

06-22-2008, 10:02 PM	#4
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 12,150 Images: 76	Also a fan blowing across the top of your tank will work wonders. __________________ View My Tanks Click here to Visit FantasyReef

06-23-2008, 12:16 AM	#5
Ziggy953 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Sumerduck, Virginia Posts: 3,404 Images: 5	I agree with Mike...some fans blowing across the tank and reduced photo period will do the trick until you can get the AC fixed or replaced. __________________ Happy Reefing! *120 Build in progress 6/18/08* Visit our Article section for answers on a variety of topics. LFS, PWC, PH RO/DI what in the world? Look here! Pods, algae and more!

06-23-2008, 10:56 PM	#6
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,637 Images: 46	Keep in mind that 85 is not too far out of range. While not ideal, most fish and inverts can tolerate this temp for a short period of time. The key is to not over-react and drop the temp too quickly. This will cause more stress on the livestock then the 85 degree temp itself. The idea of a fan blowing across the surface of the tank is about the best option for you (convection cooling) if you run a tank without a cover. You can also cut your lights out during the hottest time of the day. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

06-22-2008, 09:26 PM	#3
Innovator Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,205	Are you gong to fix the ac or buy a new one? Can you purchase a small ac in the meantime? Can you borrow chiller from a reef club? What about renting a chiller from an lfs? <--You'd be surprised

06-24-2008, 02:20 AM	#7
lance Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 205	Some fans and a gallon zip lock filled with ice. If you have good flow then it will help water from getting to high. But i think in a FO tank it shouldnt be to bad as long as you dont cook them. MMM with butter MB.

06-25-2008, 12:55 AM	#8
johnkristie Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 207 Images: 12	Thanks guys for all the advice. The fans cooled it slightly by about a degree. The AC is fixed now and the tank is running a cool 79 degrees. __________________ For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities...have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

06-28-2008, 07:42 AM	#9
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 12,150 Images: 76	Sounds like good news to me. __________________ View My Tanks Click here to Visit FantasyReef

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