It's HOT

[hhughes]

So my ac decided to die today. Repair guy is en route, but if this isn't a quick fix, at what point do I need to worry about my reef? Right now it is the only light on in the house, the other animals are all jealous.

 

[gnashty]

depends on tank size - ice may not do much if you have a larger tank but for a small tank i would try it. i would go ahead and shut the lights off on the tank just in case...

you can get some milk jugs, 2 liters, or 20 oz bottles (whatever works best) and fill em and freeze em in case you have to pull an overnighter with no air.....ive only heard it been done - with and without success...ive never tried it

 

[budsreef]

If you have MH lighting, shut it off; if you have T5s, turn the daylights off and just leave the actinics on for now. If you have a sump enclosed under the tank, open the doors to it and get a fan blowing towards the surface of the sump. Otherwise or in addition get a fan running across the surface of the tank. You'll be evaporating more water but that is what will help cool the tank.

Also if you have multiple pumps in the sump for UV, carbon or GFO shut them down.

 

[jennm]

I'd turn the lights off completely. Corals will be fine for a day or two without light. Better than having the added heat, IMO.

I've floated ice in the sump - depending on tank/system size it can change the temperature rather rapidly in a smaller system, so if you go that route, do it with care. It's hard to regulate using that method.

Jenn

 

[jef4y]

+1 shut off the lights. A fan across an open top or open sump will also give you some more cooling..

My tank has hit 84 for about 6 hours on 2 separate occasions when my AC died without any ill effects. I've read people hitting high 80's with stress but no deaths. Apparently most corals can take the higher temps but fish start having problems. (but I'm NO expert on that).

 

[hhughes]

Whew! Luckily it was a quick fix this time, but it's good to have some tips for future emergencies!

House is still a bit warm but cooling now at least. Thank goodness!