UK Heatwave making Aquarium hot

Hey, so I’ve set up a new tank from some old equipment and I’ve been watching everything diligently as I have some cardinal tetras being delivered in 2 days for this tank. Currently the UK is going through a heatwave so I think this has reflected in the tank temp going from 84F to now down to 82 with the temp going down. Im assuming this temp in the water is due to the heatwave but I’m also worried it may be a problem with my heater since any effort to reduce the temperature doesn’t really work. Let me know what I can do in the meantime to work out the issue.

 

The delivery will be likely postponed in these conditions. At least in continental Europe all deliveries of live fish are on hold right now.
Additionally Cardinal tetras can do with up to 30°C, in the wild they survive up to 32° in the dry season. No need to let it come that far, but there is some wiggle room.

Also, unplug the heater to see what happens. Usually if it's calibrated correctly and isn't set to much higher temp it should stay off right now even if plugged.

 

U.K. based also. Outside temp is now down to 17c ( 62.6f) , compared to almost 40c yesterday and the day before was a struggle for sure ! My shrimp tank even did okay , with one small cool water change, so it makes me lean towards your heater.

what are you using to test ? If it’s one of those stick on thermometers then you may want to find something more reliable, I have 4 and each one registers a different temp in the same tank, ranging from 1 degree to 3 degree out. A tds pen is more reliable and cheap enough.

 

The delivery will be likely postponed in these conditions. At least in continental Europe all deliveries of live fish are on hold right now.
Additionally Cardinal tetras can do with up to 30°C, in the wild they survive up to 32° in the dry season. No need to let it come that far, but there is some wiggle room.

Also, unplug the heater to see what happens. Usually if it's calibrated correctly and isn't set to much higher temp it should stay off right now even if plugged.

I’m gonna try unplug it tonight and see what happens temperature-wise but I’m hoping now that If the fish do come, they will be ok

U.K. based also. Outside temp is now down to 17c ( 62.6f) , compared to almost 40c yesterday and the day before was a struggle for sure ! My shrimp tank even did okay , with one small cool water change, so it makes me lean towards your heater.

what are you using to test ? If it’s one of those stick on thermometers then you may want to find something more reliable, I have 4 and each one registers a different temp in the same tank, ranging from 1 degree to 3 degree out. A tds pen is more reliable and cheap enough.

I have a few electric thermometers with probes that I use to measure the temp and they are a few degrees up or down but still the same temp roughly….I’m also leaning towards the heater so I’ve disconnected it for the night and will see how much it’s dropped by tomorrow morning if it has…. Since there’s no livestock currently in the tank it’s not too dangerous if it does drop

 

You would know if it was caused by the heater or not by how warm the room temperature got during the heat wave. If room temp got to around 80F or more for a reasonable length of time that was likely the cause.

It's a regular seasonal occurrence for me. During mid summer my tanks sit at about 29C (84F) for a few weeks until peak summer temps subside.

 

You would know if it was caused by the heater or not by how warm the room temperature got during the heat wave. If room temp got to around 80F or more for a reasonable length of time that was likely the cause.

It's a regular seasonal occurrence for me. During mid summer my tanks sit at about 29C (84F) for a few weeks until peak summer temps subside.

Funny you mention this coz the room temp is sitting at roughly 80F and the tank was sitting at around 84F too, I’m guessing my best course of action is to just sit tight until the summer peak is over and reassess then. Hopefully the cardinals will be able to manage these temps.

 

I know that folks in England and all of Europe are suffering now with no AC. Take care of yourselves. There's been a long heat wave here in Mississippi, too, but at least I have air conditioners that keep it tolerable indoors. I have family in London. They are suffering. It's hotter in cities than in the countryside.

 

Im in the US and had some really hot days recently and my tanks were between 84-86 in the evening. My target temps in my Trooheus tanks is 76-78.

What I ended up doing is setting my heaters a few degrees below my target temp to give it some buffer for the hot days.

Now they are set to 74, they still hit 78/79 some days but no where near the mid to high 80s like before.

When the weather cools, I'll set them back to the target temps.

 

hahha the UK heatwaves got me laughing, 40C is nothing for an Aussie, most of our summers are high 30C and our hottests is above 50C, get a zip lock bag and fill with ice cubes then let if float around in your tank, should cool down the water.

 

hahha the UK heatwaves got me laughing, 40C is nothing for an Aussie, most of our summers are high 30C and our hottests is above 50C, get a zip lock bag and fill with ice cubes then let if float around in your tank, should cool down the water.

Yes but we are used to it and our houses are set up for it. Gotta feel for those in cooler climates that don't have evaporative cooling or air con.

 

Axolotl owner here, so i consider myself kind of knowledgeable about keeping tanks cool. You have multiple options. If its seriously hot, you could freeze some water bottles and put them in the tank. You could also line it with foam to help insulate (no fun not to see them i know, but only temporary) you could also have a fan blowing across the top of the water to help cool it.