Leaving for 3 days, tank will get hot.

Hey guys, so normally my tank (20g) gets around 28c degrees during summer but that's because I run the AC. Now we're having really hot days here and I'm leaving for 3 days and I can't have the AC on when I'm gone (it's broken and I'm still waiting on a guy to repair it) so it can leak and I don't want that happening when I'm not home.

I'm a bit scared of how high the temperature can get without the AC running, temperature outside will be around 30-35 so yeah. If it goes up to 30c (86f) for 3 days would that be really bad for my fish? Anyone of you have any tips on what I could do? I heard of having a fan and the lid open. (I also increased my air pumps flow as well).

 

It’s been in the high 80’s to low 90’s for the last two weeks here. I don’t have AC and so far my tanks have been staying a steady 80F.

Just keep the shades and windows closed, I think you’ll be fine.

 

What kind of fish do you have? If they are tropical fish (and I assume they are given they are usually kept at 28C/82.4F) it seems like they will be ok (from the reading I've just done) at 30C/86F for 3 days, however, I don't have any actual experience with this so hopefully someone will have some real life help for you!

If you are very concerned about the temperature & you have a friend/family member who could come by 2 - 3 times a day to float a frozen water bottle or two in the tank to keep the temperature down, that's another option!

 

I agree with Demeter Right now my tanks are up to 80. Normally I keep them at 76. Your plan of leaving the top open (if you don't have jumpers), running a fan and extra aeration should help keep your water pets safe.

 

It's not uncommon for people to raise tank temperature to 86° F for 10 days or so to treat ich, so you should be okay.

 

Thanks for the advice guys! I have mollies, harlequins and my Bolivian ram (The one I'm worried about as they prefer cooler temperature, my tank runs around 76 except in the summer as I can't really get it down to 76).

I sadly won't be able to get anyone when I'll be gone to come put a water bottle in the water as I'm leaving with my friends that live near me.

However I'm currently doing a test, I managed to keep the lid open and I used some mesh I found to prevent any jumpers (I don't have any but just to be safe) and I'm running a fan on the water surface, the temperature was at 82 and is already at 80 after 2hours. So I think I'll leave the fan running while I'm gone and maybe I should keep the heater on just in case the temp could get too low? It does shut off at whatever temp I put it on so it shouldn't be an issue.

 

Thanks for the advice guys! I have mollies, harlequins and my Bolivian ram (The one I'm worried about as they prefer cooler temperature, my tank runs around 76 except in the summer as I can't really get it down to 76).

I sadly won't be able to get anyone when I'll be gone to come put a water bottle in the water as I'm leaving with my friends that live near me.

However I'm currently doing a test, I managed to keep the lid open and I used some mesh I found to prevent any jumpers (I don't have any but just to be safe) and I'm running a fan on the water surface, the temperature was at 82 and is already at 80 after 2hours. So I think I'll leave the fan running while I'm gone and maybe I should keep the heater on just in case the temp could get too low? It does shut off at whatever temp I put it on so it shouldn't be an issue.

I would unplug the heater. I can't imagine running a fan will get the temp down low enough to need a heater. The only time I have ever had a mass die off is when a heater didn't turn off when it should have. Since then I've not been comfortable leaving one running if I am not there to keep an eye on it.

 

I would unplug the heater. I can't imagine running a fan will get the temp down low enough to need a heater. The only time I have ever had a mass die off is when a heater didn't turn off when it should have. Since then I've not been comfortable leaving one running if I am not there to keep an eye on it.

Okay will keep it unplugged then! Thank you

 

Get yourself a little fan! Point it at the top of the water, it will keep your temp in check !