fry tank temp.

Where I live it is really hot. I have a 5 gallon tank with babies and today I went to check on them and the temp was almost 90 degrees! I did a water change with cooler water and gradually got the temp down to 80 but I can't imagine it will stay low. I think the heat took its toll on a few of them as now they are just laying at the bottom of the tank. How hot is too hot and is a water change the best option?

 

If you have a basement put the tank down there... Otherwise 90 degrees should be alright as long as you run a air stone nice and heavy. The warmer the water gets the harder it is for the water to hold oxygen. Cooling the water with water changes can shock the fish and do more harm than good. If you have a fan place it so it blows over the surface of the water. The air movement over the water will help cool it.

There are things you can do but do them gradually... I honestly would advise against water changes to cool the water... You could get a ziplock bag and place ice in it and float the bag in the water. I would think that would be a safer approach.

 

Thanks for the advice. I have a fan going but I never would have thought about the zip lock bag idea, I will do that. I don't have an air stone are there any other options to keep the water o2 up? How hot is too hot? I hope I didn't kill them. Now I am afraid to go look >.

 

Since they are fry they will probably be alright at 90 to 92... After that I think it would be to much for them. If you have a basement that would be best but if not the the ice int he bag would do good to help.

A good way to get air is surface agitation. If the fan makes the water ripple that is good... If you have a filter that breaks the surface tension of the surface water that is good as well.

Being that it is such a small tank the temp can change very fast in there and cause the fish harm. I wish I had a better suggestion for you but really you just have to do the best you can... Keep the tank well away from sunlight as well... Low to the ground (the air is cooler on the ground).

 

Thanks for the advice. I have a fan going but I never would have thought about the zip lock bag idea, I will do that. I don't have an air stone are there any other options to keep the water o2 up? How hot is too hot? I hope I didn't kill them. Now I am afraid to go look >.

i'd get a air pump and maybe a long air stone to get plenty of air bubbles into the water, i'm not sure of other ways to do it. Also, if you're running the tank lights and have the hood on, you can shave off some temp by leaving the hood off and not using the tank lights. Find the coolest spot in the place and set the tank up there. If you could even get it to a steady 85 or so, that should be quite comfortable as fry like warm water and could handle 90 for a while - i'd just try to keep then around 85 if possible.

 

Thanks for the advice luckily it is night here so should cool down a little. I was mostly afraid I would bake them. (lights and hood are even off) Thank Goodness it is a small tank if I do have to move it! LOL.