Aquariums In Hot Weather
The weather is warming up, but don’t panic! We have some top tips to help keep your aquariums in hot weather safe.
Most tropical fish and shrimp should be kept within the range of 23 – 28°C. When subjected to temperatures out of their comfortable range their health can begin to suffer. Just as when the water becomes too cold, high temperatures can also cause health problems. In the summer months, it can be challenging to keep your aquarium temperature in the safe zone. Here are some useful tips on how to keep your aquarium from becoming too hot durin gthe summertime.
Keep the aquarium lights turned off.
Aquarium lights, especially high powered LEDs, produce a lot of heat. They often sit close to the water and will contribute to the warming of the water. Cutting down the amount of time the aquarium lights are on during the hottest hours of the day can help prevent excess warming. Try using the lights in the evening when the ambient temperature is cooler. Remember, don’t starve your plants of light as this could potentially lead to other problems.
Make sure the room does not receive direct sunlight.
Sunlight beaming through a window can cause a lot of warming. Close curtains or blinds to prevent direct sunlight hitting the tank. This will also help keep the room cooler and help keep the aquarium water temperature stable.
Remove the hood from the tank
Removing hoods or cover glasses from the aquarium can allow the heat to escape more easily. Take extra care if you have fish that are prone to jumping. You may also notice more evaporation so have some reverse osmosis water on hand to top up the tank when necessary.
Use a fan to blow the water surface.
Angle a fan at the surface of your aquarium. This can lower the temperature and improve gas exchange in the tank. There are specialist aquarium fans available which make mounting and positioning of the fan easy.
Float frozen bottles of water in the aquarium.
In extreme cases frozen bottles of water can be floated in the water. Take care as sudden swings in temperature can be just as detrimental as over heating. Keep a close eye in your thermometer and be ready to remove if the water temperature starts to drop too quickly.
Frequent partial water changes.
Daily water changes of 10 – 30% using slightly cooler water can help keep conditions stable. Remember to always dechlorinate the water using a treatment such as Seachem Prime.
Add additional oxygen.
As the temperature increases, the water’s ability to hold oxygen decreases. This can cause fish to gasp at the surface as they struggle to breathe. Adding addition air pumps will bring the oxygen levels back up to a safe level. Try raising the outlet of your filter so the water surface has plenty of movement. This will also help with oxygen exchange and heat dissipation.
Remember it is important not to allow the water temperature to fluctuate too rapidly. Keep and eye on the weather forecast, if it looks like there’s going to be very hot weather make preparations well in advance. Be cautious not to drop the temperature too rapidly as this can shock your fish. Try to keep the ambient temperature in the room as cool as possible, keep curtains and blinds closed during the hottest hours of the day, so drastic action can be avoided.
Invest in an accurate and reliable aquarium thermometer. The digital aquarium thermometer from Oase is a great option due to its clear, easy to read display. You will be able to take action as soon as you see temperatures begin to rise.
