My tank is too hot

[Phelot]

How can I cool off my tank? I've seen a hundred questions about heating it up, but what about the other way?

My tank pretty consistently reads just over 75 or 76, and my frogs are a bit sluggish. I've propped up their light and blocked a lot of it so that it doesn't shine bright on them, and it's only a 15 watt bulb to begin with. The room is pretty open, with plenty of air flow, and they've got mesh on a part of the top of their tank for ventilation.

I'm not even positive this is a problem. Some sites say they can be comfortable up to 80 degrees. I don't really want to stress them if I don't have to of course. I'm just worried that the problem will become even more significant once summer rolls around and it's ACTUALLY hot around here.

Any ideas?

[Bombina Bob]

Hi Phelot, A good way to cool down your tank is to freeze a water bottle ,put it in a bag and rest it against the side of the tank. I keep my animals that like cooler temps at floor level in my room, that is where its going to be the coolest in the household. Good luck!

[kroberts009]

my toads tank, can get pretty hot at times based upon the temps outside (sometimes we range in the 90s, with the ac set at about 75) averaging around 80 or so, in the reptile room (they are below a snake) (and above 2 geckos tanks.) anyways, the hot temps haven't been affecting my frogs too much. they are still active. what I am getting at, even though this species prefers colder temps. being warm every so often. shouldn't stress them out too much.

the water bottle sounds like a good idea... I have never done it before.

I wonder if making dechlorinated icecubes would be possible?

[Phelot]

Okay, it's great news that hot weather doesn't affect them significantly.

I'll definitely give that water bottle business a try once or twice. I'll keep a watch on it so that it doesn't get too cold or anything.

[kroberts009]

is there a specific reason they have a light, other than the natural light of the room? perhaps removing the light and only keeping a light on in the room. might also helps to lower the temps a little bit?

[deranged chipmunk]

You can also reverse the lighting schedule, having them on at night, when it's cooler and off during the day, when it is warmer. Sucks for viewing them, but it's not like it's a permanent solution.

[Phelot]

Well, the light's there first and foremost for viewing, but also because I'm getting a pothos and it needs the light to grow.

Also, this website (Pet Supplies Plus : Fire Bellied Toad) told me that they needed UVB, and even though I'd rather trust Frog Forum, it seemed like it couldn't hurt.
Of course it's a pet supply shop, so y'know.

[deranged chipmunk]

Frogs do not require UVB lighting. They do not utilize ultraviolet light to create calcium within their bodies. That is why we dust with calcium supplements.

[Phelot]

Yeah, that's what I was going with, despite what that site said.
I do still need it for the Pothos though, I'm pretty sure.

Anyway, I did take the light off for a couple hours to see what kind of difference it made, and it was negligible. It may have changed 1 degree on the land side, and none at all in the water. It seems pretty clear that it's not contributing to the heat, and if it is, it's only minor.
Anyway, I guess it's not really a problem after all, as long as it doesn't get too far above 80 degrees for too long.

[deranged chipmunk]

Plants don't require uv either. I have been growing plants indoors for well over a decade and have never used uv lighting.

The absolute best way to keep a tank cool was really already mentioned, cool the room best you can. If the ambient temp is in range, you can rest assured the tank is as well.

[Phelot]

Okay, right on then.
Just gonna turn on the AC and call it a day.

Thanks for the advice everybody.