Keeping temp stable during a heat wave

[Julio1983]

I live in melbourne Australia, and over the next 4 days we are going to have some really hot weather.
I'm worried about the temp in my tank swinging. Any advice on how to keep it stable?

Thanks xo

[shellieca]

how much of a swing are we talking about? For example my heaters are set at 78F & in the heate of the summer my tanks will go up to 82F almost every day. To keep your tanks on the cooler side you can take the top off, float baggies of ice in the tank, put a fan blowing across the top of the tank . . .

[Julio1983]

For example yesterday before I left for work he was at 28 (which is about normal for his tank) and when I got home as it had been a hot day it was 29.5
Back at 28 this morning.
I just want to make sure this kind of swing is ok I guess as we are having hot days until early next week.

[shellieca]

A few degrees isn't going to harm him & so long as its not sudden; a gradual change over hours will be fine.

[Julio1983]

ok well thats good to know thank you for confirming that :)
its def not a drastic change it creeps up as the day goes on and then back down again at night time

[shellieca]

Mine all do the same thing, usually 2 degrees because of the light being on, in the summer a little more. You're good,not to worry.

[Julio1983]

Thank you :) :)
sets my mind at ease

[sarahspins]

A fan blowing over the top of the water can really cool it down (due to evaporation) if you're concerned the water is too warm :) I do that for my shrimp tank when it's warmer than I'd like it to be (the shrimp like it much cooler than bettas).

Really it will probably be fine.. a gradual change in temp over a day or a few days is much different than refilling a tank with water several degrees "off" from the tank water where there's no time for the fish to adapt to the new conditions.

[Julio1983]

thanks for the advice guys its set my mind at ease.
we are having terribly hot weather at the moment so i was a little worried, but i guess as you say its not a shock as its going up and down gradually over the course of 24 hrs