Temp at 24C?

[kira]

Ok so here's the thing. I live where it is already getting quite hot. Now cooling my tank is NOT a problem, however if I cool the tank, the temp does tend to flactuate a bit maybe between 1 - 4C.

Without cooling the water, my tank is sitting at a CONSTANT 24C (yes even in the middle of the night) and it has be like this for a couple of days now.

I have a pair of juvies (approx 6cm long) in a 40cm x 30cm x 25cm tank (just a temperary tank) and I was doing some reading up about having little ones, and I stumbled across this:

...Well fed and kept at 24°C (75°F) it is possible for them to reach 25 cm (10 inches) and sexual maturity in less than 6 months.
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Ambystoma/A_mexicanum.shtml

So my question is, should I allow my tank to stay at the naturally CONSTANT temp of 24C and intervene when it goes above 24C or intervene now and risk a flactuating temp? The LAST thing that I want is to stress my little ones but if they are able to tolerate slightly higher temps...

Sorry this is probably a really dumb question, but hey, you get that...

 

[Neke]

Hey Kira, I remember seeing this question a while ago - I think it was after an axie had died, trying to figure out the problem. I think the general consensus was that while they can survive at 24 it's the top end of the range so it's a bit of a gray area - they are more susceptible to becoming ill.

Have you tried all the cooling methods? maybe even a fan along the surface would help to bring it down without it fluctuating so much. I don't think it being at 24 degrees will actually make them sick, they will just me much more likely to become ill if stressed. However, I'm under the impression that constant fluctuating temperatures will actually cause illness.

I'm in the same boat, my tank hit 24 for the first time today, so it looks like I'll have to get a chiller sooner rather than later.

 

[kira]

Yeah I have to agree it is a bit of a gray area. I think that i'm going to invest in a fan because summer is only going to get hotter (being in QLD sucks sometimes especially for my littles ones). I have been using frozen bottles, hence the flactuation. However, I'm was thinking about it and I might just invest in a small desk fan as of tomorrow. A desk fan should do me, hey? I really don't want to stress out my little ones especially since I just lost Pepper and Honey, I'm really scared I'm going to upset Slimey and Squishy(my little ones). I kinda feel like a newbie all over again with my little ones, eventhough I had Pepper for 8yrs. Silly eh!

 

[Neke]

They'll be fine, I'm sure you're just being paranoid - you know how to look after them by now! :happy:

I'm not sure how well fans work - I tried facing a pedestal fan on the tank and it didn't do much.
I was going to order some of these to see if they made a difference before I decided to just get a chiller.

http://www.guppysaquariumproducts.c...ries/cooling-fan-sun-sun-jf-001/prod_327.html

At least you can clip them on the tank and angle them where you want (I think)

 

[gr33neyes]

It comes down alot to water quality. If your water quality isn't as good as you can keep it then the higher temperature will cause the water to foul faster. Keep your water quality good and the higher temperature should have less harmful effects.

 

[Kaysie]

If you direct a fan at the surface of the water, you can cool it pretty significantly. Some people use computer fans mounted above the tank.

But it's better to keep them at a constant temperature, even if it's not quite ideal, than it is to fluctuate the temperature over and over.

 

[kira]

But it's better to keep them at a constant temperature, even if it's not quite ideal, than it is to fluctuate the temperature over and over.

Hmmm that's kinda what I was thinking. I am going to buy a desk fan tomorrow and direct it so that's blowing on the water. Unfortunately, that's all the budget will allow for. The water quality in my tank is quite good (yay!) so at least that's one thing that I don't have to worry about.

Bugger, just checked the temp and it is a whooping 25C! But its only 22C outside! Time to start with the ice I think (can't wait for a fan tomorrow)!

 

[kira]

Great so I got a desk fan on Sunday and its doing the trick! Generally the temp is down to 21-22C however, The temp still rises around lunch time, so i just pop 2 ok the kids ice blocks (still sealed!!) in the tank and it keeps it at 22C instead of 25!

Thanks heaps everyone!! (I think my little ones would say thankyou too)lol

 

[b00f]

maybe for these summer months get a chiller
i would assume it gives you a little bit more peace of mind knowin that something is keeping your temps constant...


is it near a window kira?
considered putting them in a cooler room?

sounds like you have found a temp fix to your problem,
keep us informed, its only going to get hotter up there

 

[kira]

Thankyou, but given that a chiller can cost a couple of hundred, I really can't afford it right now (I have 3 kids, a hubby and its 7 weeks til Xmas). Surprisingly, you can't buy a chiller in a shop where I live, otherwise I would layby one.

We don't normally have summers like this one (its really really hot, 32C today, so much for our cool change). Last time it was like this was 2004 and I can't remember what I did to cool the tank then, I had mushy brains (7 months pregnant).

But I am happy with the way I have cooled the tank now.

Oh, yes it is near a window, 2 windows in fact. However, those windows never get any sun, only the sea breeze. LOL, warm sea breeze And the tank is on the cool side of the house.

Thanks again

 

[digger]

I keep some of my axolotls in a part of the house that unfortunately gets lots of sunshine (when its out lol) but i found that if i keep the curtains drawn and the window open the temerature only alters by 1-2 degrees if at all.
Even if the sun does not come in the room try keeping the curtains drawn during the hottest part of the day and open them at night.
Other people keep a constant temerature in their tanks by putting polystyrene around the sides and back, this means it takes longer for temperatures to rise and fall.