The hot sun heats up the apartment, and with it your aquarium. Not all its inhabitants will like such tropics. Therefore, the owner will have to think about how to do it in the aquarium even before his pets begin to feel ill from overheating. In fact, there are many ways to do this. If you think about it and approach the matter with imagination, you can find new, original solutions. However, let's talk about everything in order.
Measuring instruments
This is a necessity that is often neglected by beginning aquarists. If you have heat-loving fish or ordinary guppies that normally survive in temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees, then you can sleep peacefully. But barbs and goldfish will stop eating as soon as the water temperature rises above 27. And tropical beauties feel good at temperatures from 24 to 26 degrees. This is not to mention snails and aquarium plants, which cannot tolerate overheating at all. Thus, before thinking about how to cool the water in the aquarium, you must install a thermometer.
Temperature above critical level
You need to start sounding the alarm when the thermometer rises above 26 degrees. In this case, you need to urgently decide how to cool the water in the aquarium. At the same time, if there are a huge number of heating devices, of all shapes and sizes, then with coolers everything is very modest. There are practically no special offers on the market that could make life easier for the inhabitants of your home pond.
First of all, mothers need to think about lowering the temperature in the room in which the aquarium is located. All methods are suitable for this. The ideal solution would be a modern climate control system or air conditioning. In this case, you no longer have to worry about the temperature of the water, except to heat it up for the most heat-loving inhabitants. What if there is no air conditioning in the room, and the sun is beating down mercilessly?
Closing the windows
Since it is quite difficult to cool the water in an aquarium, we will try to create favorable conditions for this. First of all, you can remember the thick curtains that cover the windows. This allows you to avoid heating the water in the aquarium by direct sunlight. However, the air temperature in the room still rises, which means the water will heat up.
In this case, screening films for windows and the aquarium itself are a good solution. The shiny material that covers the inside of cooler bags is ideal for this. This screen allows you to protect your room and home flowers from overheating, and at the same time maintains normal living conditions for fish.
Remembering the school physics course
Speaking about how to cool the water in an aquarium in the summer, it is necessary to remember how cooling can occur? That's right, due to evaporation. To use this mechanism, you need to wrap the aquarium in a thick, wet cloth. As it dries, it will need to be wetted again. Evaporation will cool the walls of the aquarium, and you will achieve the desired effect.
Aquarium cover
When figuring out how to cool the water in an aquarium, do not forget about the simplest method. Open the lid and increase evaporation. Due to this, the water temperature will begin to drop sharply. If you are worried that the fish may jump out, then tighten the top with a thin cloth or gauze.
The second point is aquarium lamps. In extreme heat, be sure to turn them off, as they heat the water themselves.
Size matters
Indeed, if we talk about how to cool water in an aquarium in the heat, then the question immediately arises of what volume we are talking about. A small container literally boils in the sun, and this happens quite quickly. However, it is much easier to cool water in it. If we are talking about a container of many hundreds of liters, then it is more difficult to heat such a colossus, but the reverse process will also be more difficult.
The temperature is much more stable in large aquariums. Here its inhabitants have the opportunity to go to the bottom layers, which do not warm up so much, and wait out the intense heat. Therefore, if you do not have air conditioning, then choose an aquarium with a volume of at least 300-500 liters.
Frequent water changes
The temperature in the bathroom is usually much lower than in others. In the heat, you should have several buckets of water standing here constantly to settle. The rest of the principle is clear. Drain the hot water from the aquarium and add fresh water. However, a sudden change can harm your underwater life. Therefore, it is advisable to perform the replacement partially, 10-15%. If possible, this procedure can be performed every hour.
Water aeration as a way to reduce temperature
Why are many experienced aquarists so concerned about how to quickly cool the water in an aquarium? First of all, because as the water temperature rises, the amount of oxygen dissolved in it sharply decreases. That is, aeration on hot days is very necessary and important. You can use some tricks to do this. For example, move the filter closer to the surface of the water so it creates movement. If you have an external filter installed, install a flute that discharges water above the surface of the water. With the lid open, this will enhance gas exchange and cool the water.
Technology on the verge of fantasy
In fact, today there are already systems for monitoring the life support of an aquarium. They not only heat water, control its hardness and softness, but can also cool it if necessary. This happens with the help of special tanks that are in contact with copper tubes filled with freon. The water passing through them becomes cold. But such systems are too expensive to be popular.
Aquarists usually find their situations much simpler. They remove the lamps from the aquarium lid and install fans in their place. You can simply take a home fan and point it at the surface of the water.
Ice cubes
How do we make cool tea in summer? Throw ice into it and enjoy its taste. The same principle can be adopted if the question arises of how to cool the water in an aquarium yourself. If you have a small aquarium, then simply freeze the cubes and throw them into the vessel. The temperature drops quite quickly, but you need to keep an eye on it, as the water will soon warm up again.
If the aquarium is large, this method is not suitable. You will need several kilograms of ice to normalize the water temperature. Why not? We take plastic bags or plastic bottles (2 liters), fill them with water and freeze them. Now carefully place this vessel on the bottom of the aquarium and observe the temperature. Remember that a large volume of ice will drop the temperature very quickly and greatly, so be prepared to stop the experiment. This is the most effective way. In addition, it can help out if you are going away for a long time and it is very hot outside. Then throw in an ice pack, close the curtains and go about your business.
Using a filter
If you have an internal filter installed, it can become a helper. Since the easiest way to cool water is with ice, you freeze the cubes in the freezer and then open your filter. From it you need to remove the washcloth and what it is attached to. Instead, ice is placed in the container. In this case, the water cools very quickly, so it is important to monitor the temperature and turn off the filter as needed. Don’t forget that beneficial bacteria live in a washcloth. They need to be left floating in the tank, otherwise you may dry them out and they will die.
Let's sum it up
As you can see, there are really many ways. You can choose one of them or use a whole range of measures. It depends primarily on how hot it is outside. If it was hot for one day and the wind picked up, then most likely none of the things described will be useful to you. But if the heat lasts for more than a week and the whole house is as hot as an oven, then you will have to show miracles of ingenuity so that your fish survive this summer normally.
Hey, today I'm going to show you how to instantly chill any drink! I am sure that this amazing life hack will come in handy more than once on a hot summer day.
The only drawback of this method is that you can only cool a small amount of drink at a time. This can be easily corrected if you use a bottle of maximum volume (2.5 or more liters). It will just take you longer to prepare (initial freezing).
Step 1: What you will need
Let's prepare everything we need to quickly cool the drink:
- Plastic bottle with cap
- Kitchen with sink
- Freezer
- Drink you want to cool
- Glass (or container from which you will drink)
- Funnel (optional)
Stage 2: Cooling
First, fill a plastic bottle with regular drinking water and screw on the cap.
Place the bottle in the freezer until the water turns into ice.
Take out the bottle and open the cap.
Wait until the ice melts a little so that there is a small gap between the ice and the wall of the bottle.
Now fill with hot water, this will melt the ice faster.
You need to drain the hot water when the amount of ice left in the bottle is shown in the diagram above.
Fill a glass with your favorite drink and use a funnel to pour it into the bottle with ice.
The cooling efficiency depends on how large the gap is between the ice and the bottle. If it is minimal, then the contact area between the drink and the ice is maximum and the drink will cool instantly (literally a few seconds). At the same time, the smaller this gap, the less amount of liquid we can cool at one time.
Now put the cap on the bottle and turn the bottle upside down twice.
It is better to do this quickly, so that the ice does not have time to melt and dissolve in your drink, changing its taste.
Open the lid and pour the cooled liquid into the glass.
Make sure you empty the bottle (it's still more or less dry) and put the bottle and ice back in the freezer to prevent the ice from melting. So you can use this bottle as many times as you want!
During the summer months, overheating of water becomes a pressing and challenging problem for aquarium hobbyists. Fortunately, there are many simple ways to lower the temperature of your aquarium water in a short time.
Most tropical aquarium fish live at temperatures around 24-26C, give or take a couple of degrees in one direction or another.
But, in our climate, summers can be very hot, and often the temperature rises above 30 degrees, and this is too much even for tropical fish.
At high temperatures, the amount of oxygen in the water rapidly decreases, and it becomes difficult for the fish to breathe. In severe cases, this leads to severe stress, illness and even death of the fish.
First of all, aquarists try to change some of the water to fresh, colder water. But, at the same time, too much is often replaced, and this leads to a sharp drop in temperature (stress) and even the death of beneficial bacteria.
You should avoid changing the water too suddenly to cold, but instead change it in small portions (10-15%) throughout the day, doing it gradually.
High-tech methods
It is best, of course, to use modern technologies, although there are proven, simple and inexpensive methods. Modern ones include special stations for monitoring the parameters in the aquarium, which, among other things, can cool water and cool it.
Their disadvantages include the price and it is not so easy to buy them; most likely you will have to order them from abroad. There are also coolers and special items that are designed to cool the aquarium, but again they are not cheap.
One of the available methods is to place several coolers (fans from a computer in a simple way) in the lid along with lamps. This is often done by aquarists who install powerful lamps so that the surface of the water does not overheat. This works quite well, since in addition to air cooling, vibrations of the water surface also occur, increasing gas exchange.
The disadvantage is that there is not always time to assemble and install such a thing. You can do it easier if you have a fan at home, direct the air flow to the surface of the water. Fast, simple, effective.
Water aeration
Since the biggest problem with increasing the water temperature in an aquarium is a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen, aeration is very important.
You can also use a filter by simply placing it close to the surface of the water so that it creates movement. If you have an external filter installed, then install a flute pouring water into the aquarium above the surface of the water, thereby greatly increasing gas exchange.
This will cool the water and reduce the harmful effect on the fish.
Open the lid
Most aquarium lids do not allow air to circulate quickly enough, plus the lamps heat up the surface of the water too much. Just open or remove the lid completely and you will already gain another degree.
If you are worried that the fish will jump out of the water at this time, then cover the aquarium with a loose cloth.
Turn off the lights in the aquarium
As already mentioned, aquarium lights often heat the surface of the water very much. Turn off the lighting, your plants will survive a couple of days without it, but overheating will damage them much more.
Lower the room temperature
Don't mention the obvious - air conditioning. In our countries it is still a luxury. But there are curtains in every home, and be sure to close them during the day.
Closing the windows and closing the curtains or blinds can drop the temperature in the room quite significantly. Yes, it will be a bit stuffy, but on days like these it’s not very fresh outside either.
Well, a fan, even the simplest one, won’t hurt. And remember, you can always aim it at the surface of the water.
Using an internal filter
There is a very simple way to lower the water temperature in an aquarium using an internal filter. Just remove the washcloth, you can even remove what it is attached to and put ice in the container.
But remember that the water cools very quickly and you need to constantly monitor the temperature, turning off the filter on time. And the washcloth contains beneficial bacteria, so leave it in the aquarium rather than drying it out in the summer heat.
Ice bottles
The most popular and easiest way to lower the water temperature is to use a couple of plastic bottles with ice. This is almost as effective as putting ice in a filter, but is more spread out over time and smoother.
Still, it is important to ensure that the water does not get too cold, as this will lead to stress in the fish. Do not put ice directly into the aquarium, it will melt very quickly, it is difficult to control, and there may be harmful substances in the tap water.
These simple methods will help you and your fish survive the summer heat without loss. But it’s better to prepare in advance and at least put a couple of bottles of water in the freezer. Maybe they'll come in handy.
Post navigationUseful tips
The holidays are almost here, and almost no fun is complete without a bottle of champagne.
But if you forgot to put champagne in the refrigerator in advance, these smart tips on how to chill a bottle of champagne or other drinks in minutes will come to your rescue.
If you don't have the time or patience, these simple tricks will be your salvation.
How to quickly cool a drink
1. Add salt
To quickly cool a bottle of alcoholic beverage, fill a large bowl or bucket water, ice and the secret ingredient - salt. Dip a bottle of champagne into this mixture so that it reaches the neck and leave for a few minutes. In a few minutes the champagne will be cool.
Salt speeds up cooling by lowering the freezing point of water. This allows it to get colder without turning to ice, which cools your drink faster.
2. Use a towel
If you're not in a big hurry, the kitchen towel or paper towel method may work for you. Wrap the bottle in a damp kitchen towel and place in the freezer for about an hour. Moisture conducts and retains cold more easily, and the entire surface of the bottle cools better.
To remove the towel, place the bottle under cold running water.
3. Twist the bottle
This method works best for wine and other non-carbonated drinks. Keep the bottle in a bucket of ice and swirl it every few minutes. This helps to shake the contents so they come into contact with the cold surface of the glass, which cools the bottle faster.
4. Pour into glasses
Small amounts of liquid cool faster, so if you're in a hurry, pour the drink into glasses and place them in the refrigerator or freezer. Keep glasses on a flat surface, otherwise you risk spilling the contents.
Every aquarist knows that not all types of fish can tolerate the summer heat, when the water in the aquarium heats up to the limit. High temperature can not only harm and cause discomfort to your pet, but even lead to death. Therefore, it is important to know how to cool the water in the aquarium to the temperature you need. There are several options for exactly how to do this.
Turning off the lighting
The very first thing to do if there is lighting in the aquarium is to turn it off, because the lamps heat the water. The aquarium can do without it for a couple of days. If there is no option to disable it, then there are many other options.
Control stations
If you want to monitor not only the temperature, but also absolutely all parameters of the liquid in the aquarium, then you need a monitoring station. It can detect heat and cool water to the desired temperature.
However, this method is very expensive, and such stations will most likely have to be ordered from abroad. Not all fish need precise control of water parameters. Therefore, such devices are purchased mainly by professionals who have rather capricious individuals who need special care.
Methods related to aeration
Open the lid
Many types of aquarium lids prevent air from circulating inside the water tank. To reduce the temperature, simply remove the lid from the aquarium. This method works well in the summer, on days when it is not particularly hot. If you are afraid for your fish and are worried that they may jump out of the aquarium, then cover the aquarium with a light cloth or choose another method.
Decrease in ambient temperature
Probably the easiest method of all presented. The temperature of the water in the aquarium directly depends on how warm the air around is, so to prevent the water from overheating, just close the curtains. Then the sun's rays will not penetrate the room and heat the air in it. You can also use the air conditioner, if available.
Changing filter options
Heating mainly affects the amount of air dissolved in water. The hotter it is, the less it is. If you have an internal filter, place it as close to the surface of the water as possible, the movement of water it creates will cool. If the filter is external, then additionally install a so-called “flute”, a nozzle that allows you to pour water onto the surface, which will provide sufficient aeration and reduce the temperature.
Cooler
The method is cheap, however, you will have to work hard. Probably every house has an old computer with a cooler in it. It can be used to cool water in an aquarium; just install it in the lid of the water tank.
For this you will need: an aquarium lid, an old cooler, an old 12-volt phone charger and silicone sealant. All this can also be purchased in the store. On average, a cooler costs up to 120 rubles; for a charger they will ask for 100 rubles.
- Place the cooler on the lid in the place where you would later like to install it and circle it.
- Using the resulting outline, cut a hole in the lid.
- Insert the cooler into the hole and coat the space between the lid and the cooler with sealant. Let the structure dry. The exact drying time can be read on the sealant packaging.
- After the sealant has dried, take the old charger, cut off the plug that was inserted into the phone and strip the wires.
- Twist the wires with the charger wires. They are usually divided by color into black and red. It is important to connect black to black, and red to red, otherwise the cooler will spin in the opposite direction. If the wires are of other colors, then be guided by this criterion: blue or brown can be connected to black, other colors are suitable for red. If both wires are black, then first try twisting them in the same position. If the propeller spins in the opposite direction, then swap them.
- It is very easy to check which direction the cooler is blowing. It is enough to take a small thread, about 5 centimeters long, and bring it to the cooler from the back side. If it wriggles, then the cooler is connected incorrectly; you should swap the wires. If it sways but remains relatively straight, then the connection is correct.
For the best effect, it is recommended to install 2 coolers, one at the input and one at the output. Also, for better aeration, they should be at a slight angle relative to the water. In summer, it is recommended not to turn off the coolers at night, otherwise you will have to get up before the sun, since after sunrise the water warms up very quickly.
The downside is the complexity of the method, since not everyone has sufficient knowledge and means to build such a structure.
Decrease in water temperature
Using a filter
If you have an internal filter, then besides aeration there is another method that will help you cool the water in the aquarium. Remove the filter sponge from the device and replace it with ice. This method will allow you to cool the water, even in the heat, in a matter of minutes. However, you need to constantly monitor the temperature, as you can accidentally overcool the water, which will also have an adverse effect on the fish.
Ice bottle
The most popular way. Usually 2 bottles of ice are frozen in ice, then these bottles are immersed in the aquarium. The method is similar to the previous one, but the cooling is more extended and smoother. But still, do not forget to monitor the temperature inside the aquarium.
These methods can help your pets survive the summer heat without any problems. Remember that fish are at their most active at the right temperature, which not only looks beautiful, but will also allow them to live a long, healthy life.