5 Gallon Tank Planning ahead for summer tank temperatures

Since the air conditioning in my apartment doesn't work very well I want to be sure I am prepared for when it gets hotter.

My betta tank is set at 78 degrees. As a precaution, would it be OK to turn the temperature down to 76 degrees (over a period of a couple of days) for the summer allowing for a larger buffer (6 degrees rather than 4 degrees) before it gets too hot (It's my understanding that 82 is pretty much the limit for a betta). Note: Even with the air conditioning on, in the hotter (90 degree) days the ambient temperature where my betta is can get as high as 80 - and yes, I've talked to management about doing something but so far they haven't been very responsive.

Other provisions/considerations: I have 2 variable speed fans to cool the surface of the 5-gallon tank, I have a screen lid that fits perfectly (betta proof) to replace the glass one, I know to turn the light off and the tank is not in direct sunlight. Maybe with the fans and the screen lid it may not even be necessary but I want to be prepared.

Once we get into the fall I would set the heater back to what I feel is a more appropriate 78 degrees.

 

Following, that’s a beautiful betta! I live in CA too so I’m looking for ways to keep my tank from overheating too.

 

Following, that’s a beautiful betta! I live in CA too so I’m looking for ways to keep my tank from overheating too.

Thanks for replying. I'm trying to cover all the bases. BTW, great dog.

 

I live in Australia. While I don’t live in the hottest part of the country I do get a month or two of extreme 40 c / 104 F days in a row.

All of what you have written above is workable.

I also suggest an air stone running 24/7 to make sure the depleted oxygen is raised back to a safe level.

 

I live in Australia. While I don’t live in the hottest part of the country I do get a month or two of extreme 40 c / 104 F days in a row.

All of what you have written above is workable.

I also suggest an air stone running 24/7 to make sure the depleted oxygen is raised back to a safe level.

Thanks, something I hadn't considered - I will do that.

 

I cool down the water of mine by roughly 3-4 degrees Celsius using a PC motherboard fan mounted over the HOB filter. They sell them with USB cable or adaptor. A cheap yet effective chiller. Can also place it over the feeding hole. Same effect.

 

I cool down the water of mine by roughly 3-4 degrees Celsius using a PC motherboard fan mounted over the HOB filter. They sell them with USB cable or adaptor. A cheap yet effective chiller. Can also place it over the feeding hole. Same effect.

Thanks for your feedback. Since this is my first fish and first aquarium I don't even know for sure if this will turn out to be a problem. For now I'm planning on using what is described as a "2 Speed Aquarium Chillers Fan" to see how well that works while I consider other solutions.

 

Same principle. Those are similar to PC case or motherboard fans.