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I have a 40 gallon tank, and its 78 F which isn’t good for goldfish. I want to lower it to at least 65 F, so I need some tips.
Btw I don’t have a heater

Without heaters or chillers the tank water will match that of the surrounding room. Drop the temp in the room and the tank will follow. Also, it might get just a bit warmer than the room if running a hot light above it, or if the tank is sitting in the hot sun. Moving it out of the sun or running a fan with the light will help in that regard.

If you want to get the tank cooler than the rest of the room the best method is to invest in a chiller (but they are outrageously expensive!) A mini air conditioner or swamp cooler might be cheaper (pick up at a garage sale). Shop around.
Chillers: http://www.marinedepot.com/chillers__index-ap.html

The fish being at a constant, albeit high temp, is better then adding ice cubes and dropping the temp, and then it increasing again, and then dropping again, etc. Consistency is very important and if you keep changing the temp back and forth it can be way more harmful than a short season of warmer water.

Goldfish and other pond fish can do just fine in summer months at higher temps. Don’t worry about it. the damage comes from LONG term exposure to constant high heats.

But, there is less oxygen at higher temps in the water, so increase surface agitation.

1. gillzN Says:
   May 13th, 2010 at 10:21 pm

   LET THAT STUPID FISH DIE
   References :

2. Still Charlotte Says:
   May 13th, 2010 at 10:55 pm

   turn your heater down?
   References :

3. MPBaird Says:
   May 13th, 2010 at 11:06 pm

   "You can do this with a fan. A fan will create air currents that will take away some of the heat from pumps, lights, etc. It will also allow for evaporative cooling of the tank. If you aim flowing air over the surface of the water, the fan will facilitate evaporation of the water, which will lower temperatures. It’s quite possible to lower the temperature of a tank 5 to 6 degrees with just a fan. Keep in mind that the increased evaporation will require top off with freshwater, and for those
   with saltwater aquaria, the salinity will need to be watched. "

   Here is a link to another site i’ve found to be VERY useful

   http://www.aquariumpros.com/articles/chillernotes.shtml
   References :
   http://www.aquariumhobbyist.com/articles/TankTemperatureControl.html

4. Josh Says:
   May 13th, 2010 at 11:25 pm

   78 degrees without a tank heater? That’s pretty warm…your house temp must be high or something. Goldfish can live in really cold water…As obvious as this may sound try taking out like 25% of the water and add fresh new water to the tank but make sure it is pretty cold water since you need it to bring down the overall temp of all the other water. You could even throw in a handful of ice cubes. This should help to bring down the overall temperature. Good luck!
   References :

5. TheRav1n Says:
   May 13th, 2010 at 11:59 pm

   Without heaters or chillers the tank water will match that of the surrounding room. Drop the temp in the room and the tank will follow. Also, it might get just a bit warmer than the room if running a hot light above it, or if the tank is sitting in the hot sun. Moving it out of the sun or running a fan with the light will help in that regard.

   If you want to get the tank cooler than the rest of the room the best method is to invest in a chiller (but they are outrageously expensive!) A mini air conditioner or swamp cooler might be cheaper (pick up at a garage sale). Shop around.
   Chillers: http://www.marinedepot.com/chillers__index-ap.html

   The fish being at a constant, albeit high temp, is better then adding ice cubes and dropping the temp, and then it increasing again, and then dropping again, etc. Consistency is very important and if you keep changing the temp back and forth it can be way more harmful than a short season of warmer water.

   Goldfish and other pond fish can do just fine in summer months at higher temps. Don’t worry about it. the damage comes from LONG term exposure to constant high heats.

   But, there is less oxygen at higher temps in the water, so increase surface agitation.
   References :
   Fish Store Owner

6. funw/sharpthings Says:
   May 14th, 2010 at 12:43 am

   you can try aerating it with an air stone or bubble bar. that might help a little. it won’t drop it to 65. you would pretty much need a chiller or drop your home temp to 65.
   References :