How do keep your tank cool?

[claire2373]

At the moment the temp is 86.5 f and i have have been putting frozen bottles of water in and have the tank top open to let some air in (but cant have it open too much as i have cats) as advised by pet shop but its still higher than id like it to be i know you can get coolers for the tank but i hear they are expensive

[fins_n_fur]

An inexpensive solution, not perfect by all means, but inexpensive, is to keep the lid/cover open with a fan in the room blowing air over the top. It will help to remove some of the heat. If your lights run hot, shut them off. Try to keep the cats in another room or out of the room with tank. If your cats are like mine, when it's warm, they are lazier than usual, so I wouldn't think there is much risk. That, coupled, with the frozen water bottles should help.

[Metageologist]

I have done 25% water changes with cool water not cold water works for me and will last about 1-2 days with room AC running

[Kuli_Loach]

I don't have a lid/canopy on my tank so I just run a fan parallel to the surface of the water but you can't do that so IDK what to tell you.

[Dave66]

A photoelectric chiller would solve your heating problem, as they can lower the tank temp by up to 10 degrees below ambient temperature. Yes, they are expensive, how expensive depending on the size of your tank, but they are your only option for a stable temperature in the safe range.
By the way, you can't do cooling water changes in a marine tank, as it will result in disease.

Dave

[claire2373]

thanks for the advice will try the fan i do not put lights on when its hot only when i feed them, the cats are lazier but they tend to sleep on the tank but will try to keep them out thanks

[Evil Slimy]

You could remove the lid and use plastic egg crate ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) instead. I use it in the tank I keep in the garage. The eggcrate does block a little bit of the light, but still keeps fish from jumping out or junk from falling in. I have not tested with cats ;)