Cooling tank tip! for external filters in warmer climes

Hey Guys, I just got a chiller for my Axies, which they love. But for a few weeks I tried ice blocks etc to keep the temp down...but that was a pain and made hardly any difference. But I worked out this trick which lowered the temp by about 3-4 degrees. If you have an external filter ( I have an Eheim 2213) you can place the filter into a bucket ( I used an esky) and fill with ice. Obviously use ties to hold any electrical cables up well and truly out of the way, and make sure the ice does not come up to the actual top of the filter where electrics are. I then draped a towel over it to help keep the cold in. I found this easy and reliable and kept the water at a cooler more consistant temp. I just siphoned of any water and topped up the ice every 2 day or so. Like I said much easier than changing water blocks,and gives a more consistant and reduced temp. If a chiller is not an option for everyone (I'm lucky I got mine as a birthday pressie) I don't see why this couldn't been done easily throughout the summer months in warmer climates. I hope this is of some help to someone.

Great idea! I've had to buy a fan to keep my temp down, but if I'd had an external filter I would have given this a try. :happy:

I will have to try this sounds like a good idea

now i just need a bucket to hold my fx5. hehhe

In Melbourne, Australia I found that the ice tray blocks didn't cut it.
I priced aquarium chillers at almost $500 - which was beyond my current budget.

So I kept 3 x 2 litre bottles of water in rotation in the freezer which I would float and swap every 8 hours.

The temperature wasn't exactly constant; varying from 18 to perhaps 14 which admittedly, is not ideal. Though I felt that it was better than letting them stew and suffocate in poorly oxygenated water.

Now it is getting into the winter time, the frozen bottles are used in the evenings to keep the temperature peaking from the indoor heating.

Ah yes this is exactly the sort of thing I've been looking for!
What temperature does it keep your tank now?