Metal halide heat issues

ReefKeep66 · 07/02/2014, 08:41 AM

So I recently purchased a Jbj viper 150w metal halide hqi fixture for my 29g Biocube. Absolutely love it besides the heat it brings. Obviously I took this into consideration before buying but I was wondering what options I have besides getting a chiller. Tank temp is 78-80 with just the lights on. The only heater I have atm is a 100w which I'm going to get a 50w today but how can I keep the temp stable without having to purchase a chiller? I leave the heater off during the day and that seems to help and have power heads blowing at the surface of the tank but it only helps so much.
Thanks for any response!

NastyZ · 07/02/2014, 08:44 AM

78-80 is fine if you want to being it down tho you can add a fan blowing across the water that should help bring it down 2-3degrees

Donkeykong · 07/02/2014, 09:07 AM

If it only gets to 80 degrees with the light one you are doing pretty good. They have fans that clip to the edge of tanks that are thermo controlled if you are worried the temp is going to keep climbing. I am assuming you have already removed the top of the biocube, correct? Also you shouldn't have to turn the heater off during the day, if you have it set at say 77 degrees it should automatically be off all day until the temp drops during the night.

theaquareef · 07/02/2014, 12:34 PM

80 degrees should be just fine. When I used to have my 75, it used to range from 78-82 everyday with no ill affects. Tank had 2 150w halide for 9 hours/day.

Bpb · 07/02/2014, 12:53 PM

Yeah I don't see the problem...78-80 degrees should be the goal temperature as it is for a tropical reef tank anyway. Your halides are just giving your heater a break. I use my heater to keep the tank up at 78-79 degrees when the lights are off, and when they're on I let it creep up to 80-81 or so. Those are perfectly acceptable temperatures.

ReefKeep66 · 07/07/2014, 08:08 AM

Thanks for the responses guys! I turned the fan on the ballast on high and turned my 100w heater down to 70 and the tank averages 78 degrees usually all day!

07/02/2014, 08:41 AM	#1
ReefKeep66 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: The great state of Georgia Posts: 549	Metal halide heat issues So I recently purchased a Jbj viper 150w metal halide hqi fixture for my 29g Biocube. Absolutely love it besides the heat it brings. Obviously I took this into consideration before buying but I was wondering what options I have besides getting a chiller. Tank temp is 78-80 with just the lights on. The only heater I have atm is a 100w which I'm going to get a 50w today but how can I keep the temp stable without having to purchase a chiller? I leave the heater off during the day and that seems to help and have power heads blowing at the surface of the tank but it only helps so much. Thanks for any response!

07/02/2014, 08:44 AM	#2
NastyZ Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atascadero ca Posts: 664	78-80 is fine if you want to being it down tho you can add a fan blowing across the water that should help bring it down 2-3degrees

07/02/2014, 09:07 AM	#3
Donkeykong Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Grover Beach CA Posts: 1,847	If it only gets to 80 degrees with the light one you are doing pretty good. They have fans that clip to the edge of tanks that are thermo controlled if you are worried the temp is going to keep climbing. I am assuming you have already removed the top of the biocube, correct? Also you shouldn't have to turn the heater off during the day, if you have it set at say 77 degrees it should automatically be off all day until the temp drops during the night.

07/02/2014, 12:34 PM	#4
theaquareef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 578	80 degrees should be just fine. When I used to have my 75, it used to range from 78-82 everyday with no ill affects. Tank had 2 150w halide for 9 hours/day.

07/02/2014, 12:53 PM	#5
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Yeah I don't see the problem...78-80 degrees should be the goal temperature as it is for a tropical reef tank anyway. Your halides are just giving your heater a break. I use my heater to keep the tank up at 78-79 degrees when the lights are off, and when they're on I let it creep up to 80-81 or so. Those are perfectly acceptable temperatures.

07/07/2014, 08:08 AM	#6
ReefKeep66 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: The great state of Georgia Posts: 549	Thanks for the responses guys! I turned the fan on the ballast on high and turned my 100w heater down to 70 and the tank averages 78 degrees usually all day!