dont want to use a chiller...what do you think my chances are

jag1979 · 08/30/2006, 09:45 AM

I have a 180 w/ a canopy w/ 14" of clearance. I plan on getting 3x250 se mh's w/ an electronic ballast plus 2 vho's. I don't mind putting 2-4 fans in the canopy but I don't want a chiller...thoughts?

I keep my house in the mid 70's

TG420 · 08/30/2006, 09:50 AM

Im thinking youll be needing one unless your lucky. 2 250's with some VHO is borderline chiller need. I suppose you have a large tank... maybe... try it out for a few days and see what happens. I think thats the safest way here.

TG

-TG

Bono · 08/30/2006, 09:53 AM

A fan or two can make a big difference so definetly give that a try.

RichConley · 08/30/2006, 10:00 AM

I've got 2x250s on my 58, and dont even come close to needing a chiller. Its all about good air circulation.

Also, what are you running for pumps/powerheads. THey tend to make more of a difference than lighting.

wolfpack · 08/30/2006, 10:09 AM

I think you are going to need a chiller... I have a fish only tank. Home temp is set 76 during the day and 74 in the evenings. I have regular atinic and day light lamps. Dolphin Ampmaster circulation pump Iwaki skimmer pump and a UV light current tank temp is 83 which is too high. On and I have the tops open and ceiling fan running 24/7. My tank is a 200 gallon with about 40 gallon sump.

RichConley · 08/30/2006, 10:18 AM

wolfpack, I'd bet money the Iwaki/ampmaster, and UV make more of a difference than the lights do.

Those are BIG pumps, even if theyre external.

jag1979 · 08/30/2006, 10:21 AM

I will be running two ehiem 1260's and an ASM G4+ w/ sedra 900 pumps

Sk8r · 08/30/2006, 10:33 AM

One thing I think makes a difference in my modest 52g bow; I have a simple, fairly low-speed fan blowing in my sump, aimed at the waterfall: I have about an 8 inch drop where the water flows out of the pipe and freefalls into the sump. That is a high-evaporation area, and I think it accounts for the 4 degree temp difference I get out of a simple mini-fan. No chiller, with a 250mh and 2 actinics, a mag 9.5 submerged, and an in-sump skimmer.

wolfpack · 08/30/2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
wolfpack, I'd bet money the Iwaki/ampmaster, and UV make more of a difference than the lights do.

Those are BIG pumps, even if theyre external.

For sure I agree.... I saw the person asking had a simular size tank. So I was just giving the example of my parameters for a guesstimate, or proceed with caution.

I have tested each item. My UV adds about 1.5 degrees temp based on the current flow through my UV. The Iwaki is the pig. When I was forced to shut it down, that made a temp drop of nearly 4 degrees.

I'm curious to hear your results with the two ehiem 1260's. Please post your info later when you have everything up and running. I have been considering a simular option to futher reduce noise...

WarrenG · 08/30/2006, 09:35 PM

How about putting the UV on a timer to run for about 10 hours when the tank lights are off?

08/30/2006, 09:45 AM	#1
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	dont want to use a chiller...what do you think my chances are I have a 180 w/ a canopy w/ 14" of clearance. I plan on getting 3x250 se mh's w/ an electronic ballast plus 2 vho's. I don't mind putting 2-4 fans in the canopy but I don't want a chiller...thoughts? I keep my house in the mid 70's

08/30/2006, 09:53 AM	#3
Bono Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Lakewood Ranch Fl. Posts: 872	A fan or two can make a big difference so definetly give that a try. __________________ Living it up in Florida Current Tank Info: 210 gal, 300lbs LR, Aquamaxx Skimmer, 3x Reefbreeders LED's & T5's.

08/30/2006, 10:00 AM	#4
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	I've got 2x250s on my 58, and dont even come close to needing a chiller. Its all about good air circulation. Also, what are you running for pumps/powerheads. THey tend to make more of a difference than lighting. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/30/2006, 10:18 AM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	wolfpack, I'd bet money the Iwaki/ampmaster, and UV make more of a difference than the lights do. Those are BIG pumps, even if theyre external. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/30/2006, 10:33 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	One thing I think makes a difference in my modest 52g bow; I have a simple, fairly low-speed fan blowing in my sump, aimed at the waterfall: I have about an 8 inch drop where the water flows out of the pipe and freefalls into the sump. That is a high-evaporation area, and I think it accounts for the 4 degree temp difference I get out of a simple mini-fan. No chiller, with a 250mh and 2 actinics, a mag 9.5 submerged, and an in-sump skimmer. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

08/30/2006, 09:50 AM	#2
TG420 Moved On Join Date: May 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 70	Im thinking youll be needing one unless your lucky. 2 250's with some VHO is borderline chiller need. I suppose you have a large tank... maybe... try it out for a few days and see what happens. I think thats the safest way here. TG -TG

08/30/2006, 10:09 AM	#5
wolfpack Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 181	I think you are going to need a chiller... I have a fish only tank. Home temp is set 76 during the day and 74 in the evenings. I have regular atinic and day light lamps. Dolphin Ampmaster circulation pump Iwaki skimmer pump and a UV light current tank temp is 83 which is too high. On and I have the tops open and ceiling fan running 24/7. My tank is a 200 gallon with about 40 gallon sump.

08/30/2006, 10:21 AM	#7
jag1979 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 982	I will be running two ehiem 1260's and an ASM G4+ w/ sedra 900 pumps

08/30/2006, 09:35 PM	#10
WarrenG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 738	How about putting the UV on a timer to run for about 10 hours when the tank lights are off?