AC broke: No Chiller

[Y0U]

Greetings Y0U all,

Yesterday evening I noticed the temperature in my house was raising even though the AC unit was running. I have HVAC guys scheduled to look at it tomorrow. In the meantime are there any tricks you all do to keep your tanks from overheating temporarily? I do not own a chiller, didn’t plan to get one (yet).

Currently the temp is 78 a little higher than normal. I will watch it but if it gets hot today I was thinking of putting ice packs near the tank. Idk

What have you done in situations like this?

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Frozen water bottles you can float in the tank or similar.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

This

 

[Boehmtown]

A fan on the water surface will do more than you think

 

[hatfielj]

A fan (or two) across the water surface is THE best way to keep temps down if you don't have a chiller. Just be sure to keep an eye on your auto top off reservoirs. Evaporative cooling is actually really powerful on aquariums.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I agree that running fans on top of your tank is a good way to keep your tank cool!

 

[Y0U]

Thanks everyone. I wanted to get a plan before the temps get into the 90s today. I will get the fan set up and be prepared with a frozen water bottle.

 

[MikeReefs]

If you have a sump point a box fan at it. Just make sure you don’t let the ATO run dry. Fan cooling makes your tank evaporate quicker. Should drop the tank temp by a couple degrees

 

[EricR]

If you don't have or run out of frozen water bottles, you can also just put ice into ZipLoc bags and float those,,, just FYI.

 

[X-37B]

I run the Tunze Aquawind on 2 systems, 170, 112. Room can get to 82 tank stays 78 set at 77.
Any fan across the surface will work.

 

[Y0U]

Currently have a small fan blowing across a bowl of reusable ice packs and monitoring.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

If you don't have or run out of frozen water bottles, you can also just put ice into ZipLoc bags and float those,,, just FYI.

Never thought about using ZipLoc bags before!

 

[EricR]

Never thought about using ZipLoc bags before!

Works great -- just make sure they're sealed and not leaking!

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Fans and/or frozen water bottles in the sump have worked during hurricane outages here in Central Florida.

 

[W31Olds]

Probably pretty obvious but turn your Tank Lights off.
I would consider getting a window AC unit if you repair needs parts or is major.

 

[exnisstech]

Currently have a small fan blowing across a bowl of reusable ice packs and monitoring.

That's a great idea to have cooler air blowing on the tank.

 

[JTP424]

Highly recommend grabbing and Inkbird an a Hygger fan or something for the future, I know you're looking for immediate solutions, but I ran into a similar situation. Rarely use my AC now that my tank is kept cool enough!
Also freeze some RO water for your ATO. Not a HUGE help, but can slowly lower temp as it refills your tank.

 

[Y0U]

Some other things I’ve done is put cardboard on all windows that aren’t equipped with blinds and a blanket hanging over the windowed front door, it’s helping more than I thought. The house has stayed at 77. I’m now thinking of installing shades for these windows to save on AC bill.

 

[JTP424]

Some other things I’ve done is put cardboard on all windows that aren’t equipped with blinds and a blanket hanging over the windowed front door, it’s helping more than I thought. The house has stayed at 77. I’m now thinking of installing shades for these windows to save on AC bill.

Highly under-realized!!!
My house just COLLECTS heat. So, I shut all the blinds, minimal lights, and doors stay closed unless I'm in the room.
I mean yea it feels like I live in a cave... but it's a cooler cave...

 

[DHill6]

I run the Tunze Aquawind on 2 systems, 170, 112. Room can get to 82 tank stays 78 set at 77.
Any fan across the surface will work.

Tunze Aquawind pointed across the sump, keeps tank at 77, plugged into thermostat for auto on/off. It gets hot here, in the high desert. Cade 600 tank.