Tanks in the Garage

[SpeshulEd]

In the summer make sure there's a lot of water circulation on the top and bubblers and you should be ok. I use hob filters on the couple of tanks I have in the garage.

I also keep a few gallon milk jugs full of frozen water, that way if anything starts to get too warm, I just throw in a milk jug. That seems to help in the summer when it gets 120 and cools to 110 at night.

 

[Venom SS]

Im in Dallas as well, and yeah it gets stupid hot in the summer here. 100+ is not uncommon for those that dont know. I would bet as long as there is no direct sunlight on the tank the fish would probably be ok. Dont know how well insulated your garage is but that could make a big difference too. August youre looking at 90+ in the garage. If it gets that hot in yours, make sure you have a ton of surface agitation and circulation in there, along with overkill filtration. More heat = less dissolved oxygen so the surface agitation is gonna be the biggest thing.

 

[mad ness]

for a large tank it's more economical to control ambient temps (air) in the garage. Install an AC unit and heater. easier than controlling the water temp if the tank is big

 

[Morcs]

I just setup a 4' 120G in my garage.

Funny thing is, its cooler than upstairs where I had my 4' 65G, and im using the same 300W heater - wheares the heater was perfect for the 65G, the same heater (turned down more) keeps my tank too hot (well a bit hotter than I like)

Its wierd. Maybe the footprint of the tank combined with thicker glass insulates better. Even with a 40G cold water change, temp doesnt change much...

 

[mad ness]

yes, volume thing, takes more energy to cool or heat, more stable.

 

[phillydog1958]

for a large tank it's more economical to control ambient temps (air) in the garage. Install an AC unit and heater. easier than controlling the water temp if the tank is big

this is what i would do . . . set up some AC and heat.

 

[crazythong]

i live in ca, milpitas and it is very cold in the winter . i have 4 tanks in garage and cover the side and the back with foam close to the glass. i think it help but never conduct any prove

 

[david503bk]

How about the darkness? Is it ok for the fishes? Cause there would be no light except for when the light is on. Unlike being in the house where its not pitch black except for when everyone is sleeping. I am asking cause my tank will be set up in my garage.

 

[SpeshulEd]

The only tank in the garage at the moment with fish in it is a 55g with a 3" rtc. I have no lights on the tank, so every time the garage door opens or the garage light comes on he thinks its time for food and goes crazy.

I think not having any light, might dull the colors a bit, but they seem to come back once light is introduced again. Wouldn't be much different than having a tank in the basement with little to no light.

Now my 450g gets direct sunlight in the afternoon, so much I need a uv sterilizer to control algae. However, the fish in there are very vibrant. I think the sun helps pop their colors. I'm looking forward to see what happens to my pbass when they go in there.

 

[david503bk]

Yeah my tank has pbass and dats. My main concern really is that they will be more aggressive in the dark. I am afraid when I come in to feed I will see dead fish due to aggression. Am I being paranoid?