How do I cool my aquarium in summer?

During the summer vacations, the heat is often difficult for pets to bear. Fish are no exception and are also sensitive to these temperature increases. As the degrees on the thermometer rise, it is important to cool the water in the aquarium to ensure that your little companions do not suffer. There are different solutions, but some are more expensive than others.
To help you have a peaceful summer, we offer you a short guide and tips on how to provide a healthy environment for your marine animals when the temperature is high.

Why cool your aquarium during the summer?

When there is a lot of heat, for example during a heat wave, the temperature of the aquarium can rise quickly, putting your little guests in danger. Indeed, the warmer the water, the lower the oxygen content. In these cases, we notice that the fish tend to go to the surface to breathe.

Fish do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature, and if the aquarium is too cold or too hot all at once, they can have serious health problems.
For this reason, it is essential to check the temperature of your aquarium regularly during the summer season. It is also advisable to implement certain tricks to prevent the water thermostat from exceeding a certain threshold.
Please note that in order for your fish and plants to have a peaceful summer and for you not to worry about your aquarium, it is essential to respect the Ph level and to check the elements that ensure the proper functioning of your installation.

Cost-effective solutions for lowering the water temperature

There are various solutions for cooling your aquarium. Some of them are expensive, as they involve the purchase of specific materials, while others are more economical and have proven their effectiveness.

First of all, it is important to remember how important it is to gradually lower the temperature of your aquarium. Deciding to add a large amount of ice water to quickly reach the desired temperature can lead to many inconveniences.
During hot spells, you can opt for frozen bottles to be placed at the bottom of the aquarium. They are effective even if you have to change them regularly, because the ice melts quickly. However, certain rules must be respected. For example, as explained on the aquafolie.com website, you must take into account the capacity of your tank to know how many bottles are necessary.

You should also try to move your aquarium to a cool room in your home, such as the basement. Your fish will then be less exposed to the ambient heat.
To keep the water temperature below 30°, you can also remove the lid so that the heat from the neon lights is reduced.
These tricks are more or less effective and cost almost nothing. However, in order for them to work, it is imperative to try to keep the house cool. For example, by opening the house only at night and closing the shutters during the sunny hours.

Lowering the water in the aquarium: Effective solutions

Fans or air conditioners are effective solutions for cooling your aquarium. Depending on the model, they are more or less expensive and require supervision. Indeed, the air propelled on the aquarium will lower the temperature, but will also evaporate the water. It is therefore advisable to prepare containers with oxygenated or aerated water and add it as soon as you see that the level has dropped.

It is important to remember that disconnecting the heater from your aquarium is not an effective solution. It will only cause complications and will not lower the water temperature.

If the thermostat in your home tends to exceed 35° during the summer season and you have a large aquarium containing many specimens, it is advisable to opt for a cooling unit. This system allows you to cool the tank without having to take care of it, they are usually designed to be activated automatically. This is useful when you go on vacation for several days and you are worried about these small marine animals.
This solution is also recommended when you have a seawater aquarium, as they are home to fish that are much more fragile and demanding than those in fresh water. The cooling unit can be installed in a simple way, it is possible to add a pump so that the water can be filtered and returned to the aquarium once cooled.
Aqua Lorca, a website specialized in freshwater aquariums, gives good advice on the use of a cooling unit for an aquarium.

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