Dark_Rider2k3

Yeah I know.. it's the wintertime but this is a question I have for the smaller tanks.

I was thinking of setting up my 2.5 gallon again and getting another betta (which would bring my MTS to 3 tanks ), but the reason I stopped using it (in replace for a 20gallon which I now have divided) was because of the temperature changes. The lighting would keep the temperatures up high, and the more the light was on, the hotter it would get. Also, my room can be fairly hot (I am on the top floor of the house), and this can cause a problem as well. It shouldn't cause any problems right now, being the winter, but I want to prepare for the spring/summer, and for the fact that the lighting will spike my temperatures up.

So any tps? are there any ways to cool down the water? Anything you think can help is appreciated. I'd really love to use the tank (I have it cycling just in case).

Thanks a lot everyone!!!

Shawnie

float a frozen water bottle ..they make smaller ones now..its the worry of temps going higher and lower that might be an issue..bettas like consistency not warm then cold etc...even a fan on that small of tank could help in the summer ...goodluck tho!

Dark_Rider2k3

Thanks!! And that's exactly what i am worried about in a tank this small. When I had the tank the last time I was luckily able to keep the temps around 80, but there were times when it almost reached 84-85 degrees :|. And the only way I had to lower the temperatures was to have the lights completely off for a whole day or 2... and I don't like doing that =/.

The water bottle sounds like a good plan but my problem with that is how drastically it will affect the temperatures. And I could try the fan.. but then that would cause me to leave the lid off, and I have a cat......

so yeah =/ I'm stuck lol

cerianthus

How high do you think your tank will get? Betta are naturally from warm water to 86F. Could leaving the light off during daytime work? Useing small fz water bottle is a hassle and if not going to replace constantly, dont bother since fluctuations will lead to more problems.

Peterpiper

Small tanks or nanos do have this problem.
You can run a fan so it blows air across the top of the water, this will help.
Raise the lights 4", this will help the hot air escape.
Run a sump for the smaller tanks, this will increase the total water volume and make all parameters more stable.
Get a chiller, not the best option due to cost.

Dark_Rider2k3

@ cerianthus:

I am not sure how high it will get, but I can only assume it will continue to get hotter.. my room can be very hot, and so i'd say it could get up to the high 80's, low 90's.. not sure though... If I leave the light off during the daytime it will cool it down slightly but I hate doing it and screwing with their minds (is it night time already!?!?! haha).. And I don't want to have fluctuations which is the main reason I don't like the water bottle.. it's a good idea but i don't know how well it'll help...

@ Peterpiper: I was thinking of the fan, and may have to try this (as soon as I get a small enough fan to fit next to it). Not sure how to raise the lights up though.. and I don't want my betta to jump out of the water when i'm not around.. I was actually thinking of making a sump... any guides on making one?

And, speaking of sumps, couldn't I run a sump to both my 2.5 and 20-gallon? That would help both tanks out in the summer time (the only one I don't have to worry about is my 55 haha)..

If it's a last resort, I could get a chiller..

Shawnie

cerianthus I respecfully disagree on that 86 temp...I think thats way to high for them ...I notice once my tanks in the summer reach over 84, my bettas become very lethargic and dont move much ...

Peterpiper

Yes you can run a sump with 2 tanks, you can even run the tanks of one return pump.
The sump would hold the filter, heater and return pump for the 2 tanks.
Just have the tanks drilled or use a overflow system.

Dark_Rider2k3

Thanks!

If I do this, I'm going to do it with both my 2.5 and 20-gallon tanks. Since this is a freshwater tank, am I able to avoid all those "sections" that I see people have with their sumps? Like, I see lots of videos/links for saltwater sumps, but what about freshwater? I have a rubbermaid container (huge one) that I can use as a sump, but what all do I need? I know i'd be putting my filters in there to lower the water flow in the betta tanks, but what else do I need for this?

edit: okay so Here is what I have gathered (please correct me and help me along with this.. i've never made a sump and don't want any mess of water..)

First, I need to have an overflow. I am not sure on this, other then from what I've gathered, as water rises in the tank, it flows into a "lip" that hangs inside the tank (below the top of the tank), and then is sucked down into the sump. This keeps the water from "overflowing" from the tank. I also need some tubing (I see people using PVC, but if there is any other recommendations or anything please let me know) that will travel from the overflow to the sump. I will need one overflow per tank (one for the 2.5, and one for the 20).

My ?'s about overflows:

1. What should I look for in an overflow and what do they generally cost? And is there any good DIY overflows? Or is it not wise to make a DIY overflow?

2. What will allow the water to be "pumped" into the sump?

As for the sump, I have gathered that it is pretty much just a big tank. I can use my rubbermaid container as the sump, which will work out great for me as i have one in my room .

Now, I will also need 2 "return" pipes.. one going to the 20 and the other going to the 2.5. Or can I just make 1 return pipe that is split between both the 20 and 2.5?

And finally, what do you use to "pump" the water from the sump to the tanks?

edit:

found this picture:



I guess I can just create my own overflow? Is that a bad idea?