How HOT is your Aquarium this Summer? Bonus (New Plants arrived)

[Solidus1833]

So the DFW area has been going through a heat wave like we do every summer. It was around 99F today and felt well over 100F especially in the sun. My largest aquarium reached 79F today which is not bad. This aquarium sits at around 76.5F-78.5F throughout this time of year. I essentially thought of asking this forum how temperatures fluctuate for your personal setups. Are there any Extreme weather or temperature spikes/dips you plan for? I will leave some data below and look forward to the discussion. For me, I am certain the outside facing wall is adding heat to my large tank. 

The aquarium below sits along my living room wall and faces West. I keep my home reasonably cool around 73F but in the summers here I can reach 75F during the hottest parts of the day.  By morning the temps are back to 76.5F. I know my Fluval 3.0 light puts a good amount of heat to the tank. Without the light the temperatures sit around 75. 

Contrast this with Winter, and this same setup will sit at 75.5F, although I do put a second heater in the tank starting around Mid-November as a backup. 

I know it doesn't look it, but this 72g has around 40 fish, they mostly like to hide when the lights start dimming. Except for the Rainbow fish, they are just constant zoomers until the lights are blacked out. 

Also, my shipment of plants from the Co-op arrived today. They look great, I cant wait to plant them in a few days. (I leave them in pods for a few days to see some root growth.)

Some Ammannia Gracilis to mix in with the Pogostemon Stellatus Octopus behind some wood. 

[DaveSamsell]

@Solidus1833, My aquariums are in rooms that are typically climate controlled.  In reality, many aquarium electrical items on, in or near aquariums generate a certain degree of heating effect.  Whether that might be lighting, hang-on-back / canister filters, powerheads, etc. Our weather here in the northeastern portion of the country is having a typical summer, with some 90's on the board.  I know that at least two of my aquariums would indeed have temperature issues, if the rooms were not regulated.  The temperature would have probably swung around 15 degrees in difference.  I have tried aquarium 'chillers', but it added too much humidity to the room for my liking and running a dehumidifier with the chiller, added more ambient heat, in general.  Dehumidifiers are great though if used properly for ones unique environment.  The last thing I want is mold in the house, from excess humidity.

Regarding the plants:  After many Aquarium Co-Op plant purchases, they are the best around, IMO.   

 

[Solidus1833]

3 hours ago, DaveSamsell said:

@Solidus1833, My aquariums are in rooms that are typically climate controlled.  In reality, many aquarium electrical items on, in or near aquariums generate a certain degree of heating effect.  Whether that might be lighting, hang-on-back / canister filters, powerheads, etc. Our weather here in the northeastern portion of the country is having a typical summer, with some 90's on the board.  I know that at least two of my aquariums would indeed have temperature issues, if the rooms were not regulated.  The temperature would have probably swung around 15 degrees in difference.  I have tried aquarium 'chillers', but it added too much humidity to the room for my liking and running a dehumidifier with the chiller, added more ambient heat, in general.  Dehumidifiers are great though if used properly for ones unique environment.  The last thing I want is mold in the house, from excess humidity.

Regarding the plants:  After many Aquarium Co-Op plant purchases, they are the best around, IMO.   

 

I feel ya, I really want to do a sump to get this heater out of view, but honestly this Fluval Fx4 has served me well for a very long time and its so quiet. I agree, the Co-Op plants are extremely well cared for. Lately my plant purchases have been coming in the thermal bags to stave away the heat down here in Texas. They have all arrived with minimal damage so far. However, the red dwarf bulbs are taking FOREVER to show noticeable signs of growth.  

[MickS77]

On 8/13/2020 at 10:03 PM, Solidus1833 said:

I essentially thought of asking this forum how temperatures fluctuate for your personal setups. Are there any Extreme weather or temperature spikes/dips you plan for? 

I live in Northern PA, our yearly low/high temperature can range from -27° to 100°F. I had to worry about my 110 gallon tank overheating in the summer before I had central air installed. I have a big T5 fixture on it which heats it up to around 80°F in the summer. With the AC on it holds at 80°F. It doesn't really cool off at night because of the water volume (with sump) and the 1/2 inch thick glass. In the winter I think it actually helps keep the living room warmer. During winter I've thought if I lose power and I think it'll be out a while, I'll duct tape blankets around the tank to keep heat in. New this year I have a 75 gallon tank that sits on cold outside wall. I'm considering getting a piece of insulation board to sit against the wall behind the tank, to block the cold wall. 

[ForestJenn]

1 hour ago, MickS77 said:

During winter I've thought if I lose power and I think it'll be out a while, I'll duct tape blankets around the tank to keep heat in. New this year I have a 75 gallon tank that sits on cold outside wall. I'm considering getting a piece of insulation board to sit against the wall behind the tank, to block the cold wall. 

I watched an Aquarium Co-op video a while back where Cory talked about everything that should go in an emergency kit.  One of the things he suggested was one of those foil insulated blankets.   I've done the blanket over the tank in a power outage thing and I thought the insulated blanket suggestion was brilliant.  

Found it!