Temperature issues

T Diddy · 10/30/2010, 10:44 AM

My tank won't get below 80, and no higher than 84. Corals are ok, but I know they aren't happy at that temp. A chiller is out of the question. Would plumbing in another 100 gallons worth of system without any MH over it help bring the temp down significantly? I was considering making a large refugium out of a 100 gallon rubbermaid agricultural tub.

shifty51008 · 10/30/2010, 10:55 AM

have you tried running some cheap 8" clip on fans over the top of the water? you will be amazed on how well they work.

wrott · 10/30/2010, 11:09 AM

shifty is correct, a fan is the best method to reduce temp. It must be blown over turbulent water to be most efficient (top of display, where a power head is churning).
84F is not bad if you maintain it w/in 2-3 degrees, enzymes in corals will adapt to the increased metabolic rate.

aleonn · 10/30/2010, 11:58 AM

Fans blowing over the sump and over the display should be sufficient, depending on your ambient temperature and overall wattage usage.

T Diddy · 10/30/2010, 12:22 PM

thanks for the replies. but ambient temperature is an issue. I don't think that fans will suffice. The tankis an in wall DT in a dedicated fish room...temp in fish room is higher than the rest of the house. I'm thinking of a thermostat activated vent fan thru the cieling and out of the house, in addition to the add on refugium.

Thoughts?

rsl3 · 10/30/2010, 01:07 PM

My old 180 had 3 250 watt halides and 2 150 halides and the temp would run on the high side and when i added fans, it brought the temp down 2-3 degrees and maintained it so i would give that a shot

TripleT · 10/30/2010, 01:18 PM

If ambient temp is an issue, you need more evaporation, or a chiller.

A fan, increased surface area, and more surface turbulence can help with evaporation.

If you were ever inclined to try a turf scrubber, that would help evaporation as well.

If your tank is covered, replace with a mesh screen.

Or... reduce the ambient temperature.

Good luck!

Scott-CapeCoral · 10/30/2010, 01:29 PM

Your sig. says 140 gallon, so I'm guessing you have a 140g tank? Adding 100 gallons to that system would almost double your water volume. Your water change % as you know it now would change. Resulting in more salt costs in the long run. Why is a chiller out of the question?

preef · 10/30/2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty51008

have you tried running some cheap 8" clip on fans over the top of the water? you will be amazed on how well they work.

+1

Clip on fans work amazingly well. Cool the tank through evaporation. You can get the tank a few degrees below ambient with the fans IME.

tspors · 10/30/2010, 04:10 PM

That cheap 8" fan from Wallyword keeps my temps down 4 degrees from normal.

T Diddy · 11/01/2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott-CapeCoral

Your sig. says 140 gallon, so I'm guessing you have a 140g tank? Adding 100 gallons to that system would almost double your water volume. Your water change % as you know it now would change. Resulting in more salt costs in the long run. Why is a chiller out of the question?

I don't want to bother with a chiller because that is just one more disaster waiting to happen...I've seen enough bleached corals as a result of a failed chiller to know that I don't want one.

The DT and sump are both open without a canopy. The stand is a DIY stand that is unwrapped. I'll try the fans and see how that works. As for the added salt costs, I don't mind. A 100 gallon refugium would be a great addition IMO, and may help to stabilize the overall temp without adding a chiller.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

DustinB · 11/01/2010, 08:56 AM

What is your actual ambient temp? I'm running dual 250w MH over my 90 with an eclosed canopy and fans. I have no problem keeping the tank within 1-2 degrees ambient temp. Even on really hot days when the room is 82 my tank is at 82.

sirreal63 · 11/01/2010, 09:24 AM

Your temps are not a problem and perfectly fine, it would appear the corals are used to the temps. Adding the water volume will have little impact on the temps as that water will also stabilize with the ambient temps of the room, however it may slow the heating process slightly. The fan does help and exhausting some of the humid air out of the fishroom will also help. In short, you don't have a problem, don't make it one. :-)

jeff@zina.com · 11/01/2010, 09:35 AM

If the ambient temperature is high, no amount of additional water will help. A chiller would. You need to reduce either the external temperature or the internal temperature, your choice.

Jeff

mscarpena · 11/01/2010, 11:10 AM

You live in Georgia dont you have AC to cool down the room temp. Also venting the room and a fan will help tremendously. Just a fan may not help too much if your temp and humidity is real high in an enclosed room. Also you may be looking at a mold issue if you do not take care of the temp and if the humidity is high.

10/30/2010, 10:44 AM	#1
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	Temperature issues My tank won't get below 80, and no higher than 84. Corals are ok, but I know they aren't happy at that temp. A chiller is out of the question. Would plumbing in another 100 gallons worth of system without any MH over it help bring the temp down significantly? I was considering making a large refugium out of a 100 gallon rubbermaid agricultural tub. __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

10/30/2010, 10:55 AM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	have you tried running some cheap 8" clip on fans over the top of the water? you will be amazed on how well they work. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

10/30/2010, 11:09 AM	#3
wrott Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,912	shifty is correct, a fan is the best method to reduce temp. It must be blown over turbulent water to be most efficient (top of display, where a power head is churning). 84F is not bad if you maintain it w/in 2-3 degrees, enzymes in corals will adapt to the increased metabolic rate. __________________ OK, but where does the meat go! ------------------------------------------------ 120g SPS, 125g mix, 56g FOWLR, 20g qt Last edited by wrott; 10/30/2010 at 11:21 AM.

10/30/2010, 12:22 PM	#5
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	thanks for the replies. but ambient temperature is an issue. I don't think that fans will suffice. The tankis an in wall DT in a dedicated fish room...temp in fish room is higher than the rest of the house. I'm thinking of a thermostat activated vent fan thru the cieling and out of the house, in addition to the add on refugium. Thoughts? __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

10/30/2010, 01:29 PM	#8
Scott-CapeCoral Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cape Coral, Florida Posts: 590	Your sig. says 140 gallon, so I'm guessing you have a 140g tank? Adding 100 gallons to that system would almost double your water volume. Your water change % as you know it now would change. Resulting in more salt costs in the long run. Why is a chiller out of the question? __________________ I stay out of trouble by telling my fiance that corals cost $5.00 each. "Awe, yea, it was 5 bucks." When life hands you skittles... Throw them at random people and scream "TASTE THE FREAKEN RAINBOW!" Proud brother of a U.S. Soldier. Current Tank Info: 2 side by side 57g Oceanic Illuminata's. Reef Octopus 3000 XP Cone. Each tank has a 250w Radium with t5 retro's. Reeflo Dart powering both tanks and accessories

10/30/2010, 11:58 AM	#4
aleonn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 4,041	Fans blowing over the sump and over the display should be sufficient, depending on your ambient temperature and overall wattage usage.

10/30/2010, 01:07 PM	#6
rsl3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 56	My old 180 had 3 250 watt halides and 2 150 halides and the temp would run on the high side and when i added fans, it brought the temp down 2-3 degrees and maintained it so i would give that a shot

10/30/2010, 01:18 PM	#7
TripleT Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,092	If ambient temp is an issue, you need more evaporation, or a chiller. A fan, increased surface area, and more surface turbulence can help with evaporation. If you were ever inclined to try a turf scrubber, that would help evaporation as well. If your tank is covered, replace with a mesh screen. Or... reduce the ambient temperature. Good luck!

10/30/2010, 04:10 PM	#10
tspors Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Appleton, WI. USA Posts: 774	That cheap 8" fan from Wallyword keeps my temps down 4 degrees from normal. __________________ Everything is Good with Moderation. Current Tank Info: 150 Gal Oceanic, 30g Sump, Gen-X PCX-150 2250 gph, Red Sea Clasic Turbo Skimmer, 18w Turbo Twist UV, Ocean Clear Filter w/live rock, Several Buckets,

11/01/2010, 08:56 AM	#12
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	What is your actual ambient temp? I'm running dual 250w MH over my 90 with an eclosed canopy and fans. I have no problem keeping the tank within 1-2 degrees ambient temp. Even on really hot days when the room is 82 my tank is at 82.

11/01/2010, 09:24 AM	#13
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	Your temps are not a problem and perfectly fine, it would appear the corals are used to the temps. Adding the water volume will have little impact on the temps as that water will also stabilize with the ambient temps of the room, however it may slow the heating process slightly. The fan does help and exhausting some of the humid air out of the fishroom will also help. In short, you don't have a problem, don't make it one. :-) __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

11/01/2010, 09:35 AM	#14
jeff@zina.com Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 3,345	If the ambient temperature is high, no amount of additional water will help. A chiller would. You need to reduce either the external temperature or the internal temperature, your choice. Jeff

11/01/2010, 11:10 AM	#15
mscarpena Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Buffalo, New York Posts: 1,924	You live in Georgia dont you have AC to cool down the room temp. Also venting the room and a fan will help tremendously. Just a fan may not help too much if your temp and humidity is real high in an enclosed room. Also you may be looking at a mold issue if you do not take care of the temp and if the humidity is high.

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