Tank Temperature While On Vacation

islandboy · Sep 11, 2013

Got a question for you all.

I'm going on vacation for 10 days. I have neighbors kid coming over to feed the fish and ensure that the ATO is topped off, but how do you handle temperature of the tank. I work remotely, so during the day, the windows are open, which keeps the tank below 80. Since, we won't be home, the house could get warm, thus causing the temp to raise in the tank. Would a fan running over the sump be ok, even though it could be pushing warm air, to keep the tank cooled?

I really don't want to add a chiller.

Thank you in advance.

GHill762 · Sep 11, 2013

we left on vacation and forgot to leave the air on during the hottest week of the summer (mid-upper 90s), only the ceiling fan to aid in cooling.. luckily we got back and the house was at about 85 rather than in the 90's.. and somehow everything in the tank looked better than when I left..

you'd be surprised what a little air movement over the water surface will do for cooling off the tank..

how hot is the forecast during the time of your vacation?

redfishbluefish · Sep 11, 2013

I'm not familiar with your part of the county, but when my house exceeds 76-78 degrees, I start having a problems with tank temperature. When I vacation in the summer, I have an air conditioner that I set for 76 degrees. If needed, it comes on. If not, no loss.

o2manyfish · Sep 11, 2013

The fan over the sump can be pretty effective using evaporative cooling. You should set your AC to keep the house around 80. And then get a controller to operate the fan. You don't want the fan running 24/7, only when the temp goes up. Plus the fan will increase your evaporation quite a bit.

Also if you can vent your hood and add a fan on the top of the tank that will help as well.

Dave B

islandboy · Sep 12, 2013

Thanks for the advice

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falconut · Sep 12, 2013

I leave the air on if the temps are gonna be in the 80s or higher while we're gone. I hear it from my wife at times, but it's better than having stuff die due to heat. I have a fan blowing on my sump all summer, I just turn it up or down depending on the temps.

You might want to try setting up the fan a few days before you go away to see what the new evaporation rate will be. That way you can have enought top of water made.