Summer is here... need to cool down

[waster]

With AM temps of around 20 im going to need to cool the tank down

ive started with the ice bottles. currently going with alternating 2 2L bottles and a 4L milk jug. basically i drop it in and disappear for the day. not so sure what temps are getting to in mid afternoons so need a more reliable approach

a chiller or AC is out of the question atm. i am going to get a 12 inch desk fan for it. and increasing the amount of water to keep temps more stable

the other tactic im thinking is to get those ice packs with the gel inside.... cut them open, squeeze the gel into ziplock freezer bags. shove the freezer bags into water tight plastic containers and then into the tank

im thinking the gels are better than ice --- can someone confirm this?

 

[frac]

I'm building a cooling system for my new axie tank, i got the idea from this video:
YouTube - ‪MAKE A LOW COST AQUARIUM COOLING COOLER SYSTEM‬‏

I'm using a 1 gallon cooler for drinks, and i found a temperature controller on ebay for $30. I'm using icepacks that i bought for $4 each. The total cost with the pump is about $80, and prevents the temperature swings that can happen when youre just putting ice in the tank.

 

[digger]

Putting a layer of polystyrene around 3 sides of the tank will help maintain the temp so if you place ice bottles in they will keep the temp colder for longer just remember to replace frequently so as you dont get wild fluctuations as this will cause stress.Also drawing the curtains and leaving windows open will keep temps a lot lower than leaving curtains open.

 

[waster]

copper cant be good for axies ill be doing the polystyrene as soon as i get the chance. thanks no info on the freezer gel packs?

 

[frac]

I'd never thought about being an issue. Would much of the copper really leech into the water though?

*** update***
i've read through several threads here and copper tubing is a bad idea, but stainless steel or (expensive) titanium tubing will work, still a good option.

 

[memojo1979]

I'd never thought about being an issue. Would much of the copper really leech into the water though? Does any one know of any information on this?

Copper is a no-no for axolotls + we think it's the reason 1 of my cherry shrimp tanks crashed recently (I added a single live plant, that had obviously been treated to kill off any snails + I hadn't rinsed it thoroughly enough. The plany was only in the shrimp tank very briefly, but all the shrimp came out of hiding to die - it was horrific to see

 

[frac]

Luckily I've just assembled the cooling system and haven't used it yet in the tank!