Crisis for my goldfish, can somebody help?

[Blazer]

Well I expressed my loathing towards the 100+ heatwave that's currently sweeping my country (And no it's anything BUT a dry heat) But when changing the filter cartridge of my fishtank I also found out why my goldfish seem to share my sentiments, the water was warm.

Now my fishtank stands away from any windows, so I KNOW it's not sunlight warming the water up, I also noticed that how deeper you go the warmer the water gets (which also explains why my fish have been at the surface so much) I can explain that one, because of my apartment being in a converted barn, I live up in a loft and theres at least 20 foot between my floor and the floor outside, so in this sweltering weather, the heat is reflected up, goes through my floor and warms up everything that stands on it, including the table and the fishtank ontop of it. It seems that I underestimated how much heat is generated that way because the temperature on my fishtank was that of a warm bath and that's extremely warm for a tank that should house cold water fish.

So does anybody have tips for me on how cool my fishtank down? I'm really worried about my finned friends here.

[DanAleks]

Well, I'm guessing you don't want to just add ice to the water and contaminate the tank water with tap water.

3 things come to mind.

1) take a small amount of water out of the tank and freeze it in a disposable container. Remove from container and add this ice to tank.

2) float a stainless steel bowl in the tank with ice in it.

3) if you have a plastic jug with a tight fitting cap (about 1 or 2 liter jug). Fill the jug about 3/4 with water. leave it open and freeze it. Cap tightly and put in the tank.

#2 seems like a quick fix while waiting for #1 or #3 to freeze.
If you can keep the ice near something that recirculates the water (the filter maybe?) it might help.

Also, be sure anything you submerge is clean and free of soap residue. You already knew that, but I said it anyway.

[WoodyG3]

How big is the tank? You can buy thermostatically controled chillers for aquariums. Goldfish do best in cool water, so this may be your best option. Ice will only provide a very short lived reduction in temperaure.

[ggunn]

A radiant barrier on the underside of the table, maybe?

[Stumbo]

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/Aquarium-chillers/