Hi there - I hope everyone is standing the heat but I am worried that my black moore isn't. The temperature of his water is nearly 28 degrees and he is a little sluggish, I wondered if there was such a thing to keep the water temp exactly as you want it, basically a water cooler instead of a heater? If these are sold do you know where they are stocked?

Just out of interest what temp should coldwater fish be kept in?

I am thinking of doing a water change tonight, would putting some cooler water in as well help? (I filled two buckets last night so that water will be warm too ( )

thanks

Goldfish do not need a "chiller" as do many marine varities of fish. They do sell "chillers" for this purpose, but they are VERY expensive, and not necessary for the goldies.

At 82 F, or 28 C, your tank is a bit warm, but certainly well within the range of tolerance for most goldfish.

The main problem with warmer water is that warmer water holds less oxygen - both for the fish and for the beneficial bacteria to utilize in the nitrogen cycle. You can help your fish cope with the warmer temperatures by adding additional aeration - extra air features. Adding in an extra bubble stone or wand, and/ or a water fall filter will go a looooong way to helping in warmer temps.

Setting a fan blowing across the surface of the water will also cool the tank dramatically. You can also turn off the lights. Even flourecent lights put out heat - and every little bit adds up.

In the event that your tank's temp rises beyond 31C -ish, you have the option of freezing some water in a plastic water bottle and floating that in the tank.

Dear Daryl

Thanks but what is a water fall filter and how much are they ?

thanks

I also forgot to ask if it would be ok to add some cool water to the tank (as long as I have dechlorinated it ) or would that cause stress to the fish?

thanks

A water fall filter is any filter that dumps the water back into the tank in a falling, splashing fashion. This agitates the surface of the water, introducing extra oxygen into the water as it does. I sometime lower the level of water in my tanks when it is warmer, causeing more splash and more agitaion - meaning more oxygen.

You can certainly add more cool water, but realize that you will have to add a very large amount ot really have much effect on the overall water temperature. I could do the calculations for the degrees needed or volume of degrees needed for you to lower the temp but a certain amount, but suffice it to say, you would either have to add very cold water or a very large volume of cool water to the tank to make much difference.

If you have female fish, adding cold water to the tank may induce egg drop.

Do not drop the temp of the tank more than 2-3 degrees at one time - it is too stressful. (IMPO).

At 28C., simply upping the amount of oxygen, by surface agitation, a fan across the surface, and/or extra air features should be more than enough to help your fish handle the temps. Water is commonly raised to 80-82 F. (26.6- 27.8 C) for medical treatment and to speed up the life cycles of various parasites to aid in killing them. This temp does no harm to the fish. Your bacteria in your cycle will LOVE the extra degrees.