Garage Tanks

[djmatthewblack]

I have been keeping tanks in my garage for a year or two, but I usually move everything inside during the hot summer months. Plants and invertebrates have been no problem, they are tolerant to the heat.

My garage tanks will be empty soon and I am wanting to keep something that could get through the summer months. I think I remember temperatures not getting over 90F, even on +100F days.

I am wondering what types of fish would be tolerant to the conditions. Temps currently in the cold don't get under 70F using heaters.

Also are there any tips for cooling down the tank should I need to? Perhaps just running a box fan near the water surface?

[moganman]

Natives

[Timber317]

South American fish can handle it. Go to HAW during the summer it's easily 100 plus in there fish room and the fish do fine.

[KhmerStyle]

What size tank is it I'm pretty sure the water can be kept at 80 with a fan and water movement

[djmatthewblack]

I have a 36 and 2x20gal, but might ditch the 20s. I am wanting small breeds, something I can keep alot of, and low maintenance preferred if I understock it. Using a sponge filter so a really small breed would be fun. Just looking for ideas.

[Carkadie]

I have 2 tanks in my garage....100gal & 135gal & they do just fine in the summer...

[New_Cichlid11]

I have 2 tanks in my garage....100gal & 135gal & they do just fine in the summer...

are you using a chiller, or AC in the garage??

[KhmerStyle]

are you using a chiller, or AC in the garage??

Water does not get insanely hot as long its not in direct sunlight.

[flipside]

Man, I wouldn't even think of running a tank in the garage without a chiller. Even without direct sunlight, my tank got up to 92 degrees this past summer (no livestock at that point). That was just from sump exposure out there. Tank was in the house.

I'd get a chiller. It wouldn't take much of a chiller to cool those small tanks. Good luck either way!

[KhmerStyle]

Maybe do a betta tank they can handle more heat.

[Carkadie]

are you using a chiller, or AC in the garage??

No chiller.......no a/c.........just a regular fan......

[New_Cichlid11]

I am moving some tanks into my garage, but i will not do it without and AC being on. In the summer time the temps my garage get way above 100F. I know a guy that lost 5000 worth of livestock last summer, the heat killed his fish

[danielp]

It's a crap shoot.

An oldtimer on the south side who has been garage keeping fish for years lost everything last summer in three big 200+ gallon tanks.

He had some on the most awesome clown loaches i have ever seen and a ton on Mbuna's.

[allysangels]

South American fish can handle it. Go to HAW during the summer it's easily 100 plus in there fish room and the fish do fine.

+100 on this. lol working in there in the summer was incredible. also, any natives and/or central/south americans should be fine as long as you keep just a regular fan going for air circulation. as already said, out of direct sunlight you should have no problems. other than that, any fishes that can breathe from the surface should also do well as the main issue with warmer water is the lower availability of dissolved oxygen. ensure proper oxygenation with powerheads aimed at the surface or extra airstones. :)

[Andy Bauman]

I would think if the garage were insulated, the median temperature would not swing as much as if it were not insulated. Also trees shading a garage may help too. Most likely experiences would vary based on your own conditions.