Room Temp V. Water Temp issues

neonlife102 · 08-18-2006, 03:33 PM

I currently have your basic 10 gal. setup. 1-50 Watt heater currently set at about 75 degrees. Powerfilter (typ. 10 gallon pwr filter type) backed up with an undergravel filtration system. 2 Riser tubes fitted into the undergravel filter, and 1 bubble wall airstone in the back (all just to increase the surface area for oxygen, and just to make the tank look good. I live on the top floor of a two story apartment building on the west side, have the tank oriented on the same side of the room as my one window (the tank does not catch direct sunlight) My major problem is that this is the only real practical place to put the tank in the apartment, and the natural room temp hangs at about 84 degrees. And so does the tank. the tank temp is fairly consistant (ranging from 80-84 degrees throughout the day) But is still just a hair too hot for my two zebra danios (put in the tank to start conditioning) they are at the surface, typically indicating the lack of oxygen. Is there anything I can do to get the water temp down just a little bit more (they do fine when the temp bottoms out in the night (80 degrees)? I know that for larger cold water setups, you can get a chiller to bring the temp down, can you buy a more economical model for more home use? just to drop the temp about 5 degrees on hot days?

Hepcat021 · 08-18-2006, 04:31 PM

I just want to say I have a very simmilar setup and problem as you. I have only one pratical place to put my tank, it is 10 gallons, and I have trouble keeping a constant temp. Also my guppies are always hanging at the top and I have worried about the lack of oxygen as well. Only big difference may be that I have no money to try and fix the problem. The oxygen problem probably could be solved by getting some extra airation device for your tank. People on this forum have suggested a air stone or something like that. The temp ...I don't know. I once read floating a sealed bag of ice can help lower the temp. If anything I say helps, remember its all stuff I read on this forum.

Your resident dummy
BILL

ahill3780 · 08-18-2006, 05:31 PM

Floating a bag of ice is not such a bad idea, you will just have to keep an eye on the temp to know when it reaches the target level.

10g tanks are very thin in comparison to other tanks and their small size make it very easy for outside temperatures to penetrate through the walls of the tank and influance the waters temp. Ambient room temperature control would be the best strategy here. If your A/C works, use it. Keep your room cool and as long as the tank is not sitting directly in the sunlight, you do not have an excess of equipment in the water generating heat, and there is a way for air to pass over the surface of the water then you should be able to regulate the temperature of the tank.

Temperature control is one of the boons of keeping 10 gallon and smaller tanks.

Jay · 08-18-2006, 06:22 PM

Just an outside of the box thought here.

Load your hang on the back with filter floss and blow a fan on it, and see if you can get some evaporation cooling going. You can throw some ice on top of that during peak periods.

Keep the lights off during the hottest periods, use your ac. You are really at the mercy of ambient temp. with a 10 gallon.

Jay

drfong · 08-19-2006, 05:57 PM

This a question more than advise. Are there not types of fish that like the 80-85 degree mark? I think some research into fish type may be the most economical answer. If the tank will be that warm, figure out the best fish for the tank. I don't know off the top of my head which fish that would be and I may be off base. Just a thought.

Jay · 08-20-2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Are there not types of fish that like the 80-85 degree mark? I think some research into fish type may be the most economical answer.

Good thought

Jay

neonlife102 · 08-22-2006, 05:19 PM

O.k. thanks for all of the great advice! I have the temp. stabalized at 80 degrees by keeping a window open, and blinds shut durring the daytime. And looking into modifying my current hood with a couple of small sprite fans to aid in cooling and oxigenation. My two danios are doing great now that they have had some time to adjust to there surroundings, and when I get maybe a little more of a handle on the situation, I am going to add a couple of guppy's, neon tetra, and an algea eater. if anyone sees any problems, questions, concerns or comments let me know!