Changing temperature
- Thread starter Charlied81
- Start date
Yes I'm from the US. I'm talking about putting a fish tank in a detached garage that isn't insulated. I'm asking if it's a possibility. Very hot in summer very cold in winter.
What Air temperature range are we talking about? The larger the tank the less likely it will shift to exactly the same air temperature. In my 102F garage, (during the day) my 55g only got to about 87F. At night, the garage hit about 75F, so the tank would never see 102F.
I also place my tanks in the garage, but live in northern CA. Assuming that you can provide sufficient heater wattage to get you through the winter, the key problem you will face is with adequate dissolved oxygen during the summer. As the water warms, it’s ability to retain oxygen drops. During the summers here, my water temperatures used to get up to around 90F, which, IMO, is about the upper limit. At approx. 90F, you will have to maintain vigorous water circulation, even during water changes and filter maintenance. Once that warm water stops moving, your fish will begin to gasp. Water is somewhat heat stable and exhibits some resistance to immediate temperature swings. So, you’ll have some time to respond, when you notice the temperature beginning to shift. During the hottest days, I used to allow air to circulate through the garage (to the extent practical) and would occasionally add bags of ice to the water. You also have the option (albeit, an expensive one) of using an aquarium chiller.
I keep tanks in my garage and heaters keep them warm in the winter, in the summer my garage gets to and for the most part stays over 110 24/7 for about 3-4 months and I run fans over the tanks and that keeps them at around 87-89. I haven’t noticed any issues from this. The fish I keep out there are Hemichromis Frempongi, red wolf and I kept bichirs and Rift cichlids out there in the past
The fishes of Uruguay live in very wide fluctuating temps, hot summers cool winters.
Cichlids like those of the genus Gymnogeophagus, and Australoheros are examples.
above is Gymnogeophagus quilero (aka rio Yerbalito)
They withstand mid to high 80s in summer, and mine took temps down to 50'F in winter.
Same for Australoheros sp "red Ceibal" below.
Below the same red Ceibals spawned in an outdoor tank in Wisconsin, in full sun, you can tell by the plethora of free floating algae.
below Gymnos spawned in my pond in WI
Cichlids like those of the genus Gymnogeophagus, and Australoheros are examples.
above is Gymnogeophagus quilero (aka rio Yerbalito)
They withstand mid to high 80s in summer, and mine took temps down to 50'F in winter.
Same for Australoheros sp "red Ceibal" below.
Below the same red Ceibals spawned in an outdoor tank in Wisconsin, in full sun, you can tell by the plethora of free floating algae.
below Gymnos spawned in my pond in WI
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I would say it depends on what you consider hot. If it gets hot enough the answer would be none. However there would be many North American native fish that could fit your needs. Mummichogs are one that come to mind as they can tolerate a wide temperature range and are very tolerant of poor water conditions.