I have a 40 gallon breeder stocked with 6 tiger barbs, 4 keyhole cichlids, a bristle-nose pleco and a RTBS. The tank has a half sand half flourite substrate, large piece of driftwood in center, surrounded by rock caves, planted with light CO2 injection (1 drop per 1.5 sec). Tank has a glass top, lighting is a dual tube TH50 timer controlled to turn on a 9 am and off at 7 pm.
My problem is temperature control. Here in the Northeast, the temps are now over 90, and that sends my tank to 81 degrees and likely higher if I were not doing near daily PWCs. I changed just about 80% of the water yesterday, bringing the temp down to 76%, but today it's back to 81 degrees.
Any suggestions? The glass top is for the RTSB. Maybe a mesh top? Take one of the tubes out of the light fixture? Less time for light? I'm not in the mood to buy a $500+ chiller so any help would be greatly appreciated.
My problem is temperature control. Here in the Northeast, the temps are now over 90, and that sends my tank to 81 degrees and likely higher if I were not doing near daily PWCs. I changed just about 80% of the water yesterday, bringing the temp down to 76%, but today it's back to 81 degrees.
Any suggestions? The glass top is for the RTSB. Maybe a mesh top? Take one of the tubes out of the light fixture? Less time for light? I'm not in the mood to buy a $500+ chiller so any help would be greatly appreciated.