I am having some high tank temp issues...

DeepThought · 08/30/2012, 03:27 PM

I thought this would be the best place to post this thread. IF it's not, please mods, move it!

My little 20g tank is constantly running above 88F. I don't have any corals, just fish - but it bothers me that my tank is running this hot. Used to it was around 79F or so before Summer hit.

I'm fixing to set up a 75g reef tank that is SPS dominated and I was wondering what steps I need to take in order to make sure that I don't run into tank temps that constantly run above 82F.

Besides fans to help evaporate water, ... do most people who have SPS dominated reef tanks use chillers to keep their tanks at a constant temp?

Pool_shark · 08/30/2012, 04:39 PM

Every pump (circulation or powerhead) that is in your water will raise it's temperature. Metalhalide lights will also raise your water temp significantly.

I have MH lights, and I use a $10 Walmart clip-on fan aimed across the water surface that automatically kicks on via my Apex controller at 79 degrees, and cools it back to 78 quickly. I use an external Iwaki return pump so it does not add any heat to the water. However, just today I used another 1100 gph submersible pump (Marineland) to stir my 20 water change in a 32 gal Brute container with the lid on. I ran that submersible in there for 2 days and it raised the temp to 92.5!

For the ultimate in "cool" without a chiller, use LED lighting, an external return pump, and the Vortec powerheads that have the motors on the OUTside.

tkeracer619 · 08/30/2012, 05:00 PM

A chiller is a wise investment for everyone.

Always use fans first as evaporation is a powerful cooler. I use a fan over my sump and tank. They come on based on tank temp or room temp. I know if the room goes above 80 the tank is going to use the chiller that day if there were no fans. With the fans on and windows open the house much reach about 90 before I need the chiller. I do live in CO and it is very dry here so evap cooling is easy.

Chillers use a lot of energy so reducing the time they are on is essential for your power bill. If you can, plan to install the chiller somewhere remote such as a crawl space so that it will pump the heat out of the home.

tkeracer619 · 08/30/2012, 05:03 PM

Also, it is very simple to heat a 20g tank with minimal hardware. Remove unnecessary pumps.

An internal pump adds the same amount of heat as a heater with an equal watt rating.

External pumps also put heat into the tank but the amount added is determined by the way the pump cools. Often times they are also water cooled even when external.

If you go overboard with heat savings you will need to run heaters all the time. I have seen tanks go from halide to led and have to put 1000w worth of heaters on it to keep it warm resulting in a net increase in power usage.

afamousjohnson · 08/30/2012, 05:06 PM

I run a 90g with a lot of pumps powerheads and mh. A lot of addition to heat. I run a small clip on fan as well tied to the apex. No chiller. What helps me most is that I keep the air on around 77° in the house and that is what saves me over here with the 106° days. Not to mention it makes it comfortable for me as well

usefulidiot213 · 08/30/2012, 05:45 PM

Not sure what equipment your using. MH add a lot of heat. Power heads & pumps add heat. Check your heater, it might have failed on stuck on.
For Cooling you can add fans or chiller. I live in Phoenix AZ. We get hot. I run a Reef Keeper light Controller just to monitor the temp. It turns on a fan that blows over my sump when the tank hits 80 degrees. That has always worked just fine for me.

08/30/2012, 03:27 PM	#1
DeepThought Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 554	I am having some high tank temp issues... I thought this would be the best place to post this thread. IF it's not, please mods, move it! My little 20g tank is constantly running above 88F. I don't have any corals, just fish - but it bothers me that my tank is running this hot. Used to it was around 79F or so before Summer hit. I'm fixing to set up a 75g reef tank that is SPS dominated and I was wondering what steps I need to take in order to make sure that I don't run into tank temps that constantly run above 82F. Besides fans to help evaporate water, ... do most people who have SPS dominated reef tanks use chillers to keep their tanks at a constant temp?

08/30/2012, 04:39 PM	#2
Pool_shark Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Chicago Posts: 147	Every pump (circulation or powerhead) that is in your water will raise it's temperature. Metalhalide lights will also raise your water temp significantly. I have MH lights, and I use a $10 Walmart clip-on fan aimed across the water surface that automatically kicks on via my Apex controller at 79 degrees, and cools it back to 78 quickly. I use an external Iwaki return pump so it does not add any heat to the water. However, just today I used another 1100 gph submersible pump (Marineland) to stir my 20 water change in a 32 gal Brute container with the lid on. I ran that submersible in there for 2 days and it raised the temp to 92.5! For the ultimate in "cool" without a chiller, use LED lighting, an external return pump, and the Vortec powerheads that have the motors on the OUTside. __________________ 90 gal LR reef w fish, LPS, Zoas, MH & T5 lighting and 30 gal fuge w macro and pods controlled by Apex.

08/30/2012, 05:00 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	A chiller is a wise investment for everyone. Always use fans first as evaporation is a powerful cooler. I use a fan over my sump and tank. They come on based on tank temp or room temp. I know if the room goes above 80 the tank is going to use the chiller that day if there were no fans. With the fans on and windows open the house much reach about 90 before I need the chiller. I do live in CO and it is very dry here so evap cooling is easy. Chillers use a lot of energy so reducing the time they are on is essential for your power bill. If you can, plan to install the chiller somewhere remote such as a crawl space so that it will pump the heat out of the home. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

08/30/2012, 05:03 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Also, it is very simple to heat a 20g tank with minimal hardware. Remove unnecessary pumps. An internal pump adds the same amount of heat as a heater with an equal watt rating. External pumps also put heat into the tank but the amount added is determined by the way the pump cools. Often times they are also water cooled even when external. If you go overboard with heat savings you will need to run heaters all the time. I have seen tanks go from halide to led and have to put 1000w worth of heaters on it to keep it warm resulting in a net increase in power usage. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

08/30/2012, 05:06 PM	#5
afamousjohnson Just Keep Swimming Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: chico, ca Posts: 765	I run a 90g with a lot of pumps powerheads and mh. A lot of addition to heat. I run a small clip on fan as well tied to the apex. No chiller. What helps me most is that I keep the air on around 77° in the house and that is what saves me over here with the 106° days. Not to mention it makes it comfortable for me as well __________________ The cure for everything is Saltwater Sweat, Tears, and the Sea Experience is something you get right after you need it.....than there was RC Current Tank Info: 90gallon bonsai 2B inspired SPS /- mixed reef DT, 40gallon sump, and all the cool gadgets i can get on it

08/30/2012, 05:45 PM	#6
usefulidiot213 Bryan H. Join Date: May 2007 Location: 40th St. & Thunderbird Posts: 1,348	Not sure what equipment your using. MH add a lot of heat. Power heads & pumps add heat. Check your heater, it might have failed on stuck on. For Cooling you can add fans or chiller. I live in Phoenix AZ. We get hot. I run a Reef Keeper light Controller just to monitor the temp. It turns on a fan that blows over my sump when the tank hits 80 degrees. That has always worked just fine for me. __________________ "I would rather be lucky then good." Bryan H. Current Tank Info: 120 AGA- 4x2x2 Mixed Reef. 2 MP40s, Vertex IN-180 Skimmer, RKL Controller for temp control and light timing. 8x 54 Watt T5 lighting.