by A Morris

Created on: July 18, 2008   Last Updated: October 29, 2010

Many fish keepers struggle to maintain the temperature balance during the summer months; I know I do. During the winter the internal thermostat kicks in as and when required, but in hotter weather an aquarium can heat up by several degrees if precautions are not taken. Some of the more delicate marine species cannot tolerate higher temperatures, and it is bad for all inhabitants if the temperature rises too quickly. During my years in the hobby I have come across a few ways in which to keep my tank cool.

If you have some money to spend, you could get a cooler. Basically, it does what it says on the tin. If the temperature rises, the cooler will kick in and cool the surface of the water, which then circulates through the tank. However, these devices can be expensive and with today's rising energy prices it is just another electrical component that eats up juice.

I prefer to use natural methods wherever possible, and have come up with a winner. Keep some bottles of ice in the freezer in hot months. If your aquarium temperature starts to rise, float the bottle on the surface of the tank. Your power heads will circulate the cooler water, thereby reducing the temperature. I particularly like this method because it reduces the temperature slowly, and doesn't cause my fish any stress. You may have to anchor the bottle with some wire or string to stop it from banging around in the flow.

Alternatively, you can do a slow, small water change with some cooler, fresh water. Be sure not to make any steep changes in temperature, as your fish will notice. If you use your protein skimmer without the bio wheel, you may also be able to fit a bag of ice inside the housing. This will cool the fresh water falling into your tank.

To avoid temperature imbalances, it is advisable to set up your tank away from windows and draughts, and particularly direct sunlight. If your tank is close to a window, keep the shutters down, or draw the curtains to shield the tank from direct heat. Position a fan to blow cool air over the surface of the tank, to keep the lights cool and prevent the build-up of heat. Keep your tank away from electrical equipment, as this throws out extra heat that can raise the tank temperature or increase algal growth. Take any removable lids off the tank to prevent heat building up from the lights.

If you worry about a power cut, keep a car battery around that you can charge up when required to keep your equipment running. It will not hold the charge, but it can be handy to have around in an emergency!

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