Cooking my fish

[Guest beatle]

So as we all know, it's blazing outside. And now it's blazing inside thanks to my failed AC. My landlord said he can't have anyone out until Friday. I've already unplugged the heater just in case (though it shouldn't come on anyway) and turned the fan on my sump to high. This will only be able to cool to ambient temperature, however, which is currently 81F and rising. Lights have been unplugged until the AC is fixed. What are some things I can do to keep my tank from overheating? Frozen water bottles in the sump?

[rsarvis]

So as we all know, it's blazing outside. And now it's blazing inside thanks to my failed AC. My landlord said he can't have anyone out until Friday. I've already unplugged the heater just in case (though it shouldn't come on anyway) and turned the fan on my sump to high. This will only be able to cool to ambient temperature, however, which is currently 81F and rising. Lights have been unplugged until the AC is fixed. What are some things I can do to keep my tank from overheating? Frozen water bottles in the sump?

 

Man, that sucks, sorry to hear... Maybe buy bags of ice from the grocery store/7-11/gas station and put them in a plastic bag in the sump?

[scott711]

fans

[jason the filter freak]

Is this a FOWLR or a reef?

[flowerseller]

I keep several 3/4 full milk jugs in my freezer just for this scenerio.

If need be, I can pull one out and place it in my sump to help keep it cool.

This might allow you to run partial lighting.

 

HD has window units for under $100 which can help you and the tankand will likely save you money in the long run.

Just block off the room you need by shutting doors or with plastic.

[Guest beatle]

Reef! I only have some monti digi, lps, zoas, and a big leather, but it'd be nice if they hung on as well.

 

For circulation I only have a Koralia 3 and my Eheim 1260 return. My skimmer has the only other pump in the system.

 

Now that I think about it, my parents have a window unit that's not in use... maybe I'm not up the creek yet.

Edited August 8, 2007 by beatle

[davelin315]

You could also take a new garden hose and hook it up and coil it in your tank or sump and let it run (slowly since this will cost you in water!). If it stays cold it will accomplish the same as a chiller by cooling the water. Same concept as ice, only larger surface area and slower cooling, but the same nonetheless.

[quazi]

Why not buy a small window AC unit? You can buy a basic one @ sears for $140. You have much more than that invested in your livestock.

 

 

 

You can also sleep in the tank room.

[treesprite]

Not all landlords allow people to use those ac units, so if you haven't already, perhaps it would be a good idea to ask before going out and getting one (if that's what you plan to do).

[yauger]

Reef! I only have some monti digi, lps, zoas, and a big leather, but it'd be nice if they hung on as well.

 

For circulation I only have a Koralia 3 and my Eheim 1260 return. My skimmer has the only other pump in the system.

 

Now that I think about it, my parents have a window unit that's not in use... maybe I'm not up the creek yet.

 

how did everything turn out for you yesterday? I hope all is well with the tank. post an update if you can..

[jason the filter freak]

Every time I see this title I think you're looking for a recipie for fried clownfish... I hope everything is working out ok.

[bk_market]

keep floating ice in a bag and it should hold for a few days

[treesprite]

After seeing the A/C failure disasters, I think I'm going to take the precautionary measure of freezing some containers of water.

[Guest beatle]

The temperature in the room has risen to over 86F. I've been able to keep my temps at 83F or below by swapping out the ice bottles. I'm going to start using ice in ziploc bags to keep it down. I worry the most at night because the temperature doesn't really drop all that much in the room. I have one more day to go.

 

I turned the lights on for about 4 hours last night and I'll do the same again tonight.

[yauger]

doesnt sound like your parents let you take the AC out of their room... you've done a heck of a job so far... one more day and the AC is back on...

[Guest beatle]

I asked about that today and found out they donated it back in the spring. :(

 

I have a lot of water bottles frozen (a couple cases plus a couple 3 qt bottles) but they are melting within an hour now.

[jason the filter freak]

I don't mean to jack into your thread but... my tank runs around 86 during the day... I'm not saying thats healthy and I bought fans that I'm woking on mounting on the tank very soon. But it runs 86 during the day for about 8-10 hours and lowest it gets at night it 80 ish. So far the corals are fine, (all softies and some LPS), all fish (3 clowns, a blenny, and a goby are fine), all inverts fine (hermits, dusters, snails) I'm glad to see you're keeping your temps under control but don't get to frazzeled everything should be fine.

[Guest beatle]

Yeah, so far my fish and critters don't seem to mind the temperature. My kenya tree has bleached (again) but I'm not sure if that's due to the heat or short photoperiod these past 2 days. Other corals seem fine. I'm just hoping they're actually able to fix the AC today and not say "well, you need this part, it'll be 3 more business days..."