Cooling my tank down question.

Titobattilocchi · 09/02/2013, 06:38 PM

So I have a apex controller and was wondering about setting up a one room ac unit on it to help cool my tank down. It gets about 82.5 during the day. I have a fan in the window right now and it dropped the temp from 81 to 80.4 in just a few hours so my thought on it would be a one room ac unit so we all benefit from it. I was thinking about a chiller for the tank but can't justify the price for one only for it to be used on the tank. Where I live we only get a few days out of the year where it gets really hot to where the temp would go over 82. Would love the input on what people think and maybe some other ways to fix the problem thanks.

Misled · 09/02/2013, 06:52 PM

You can use a fan blowing across the top of the tank. It will increase evaporation though.

cloak · 09/02/2013, 06:59 PM

82.5 is no problem. When your tank starts to hit 85, 86 on a regular basis, then you might want to reconsider buying that chiller. For now though, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Titobattilocchi · 09/02/2013, 07:05 PM

K. I just heard that you shouldn't let your tank go above 82 or 4 degrees of what your holding temp would be and maying is at 78.

Fish_King_25 · 09/02/2013, 07:27 PM

I ran a reef at 82-83 for a long while with no ill effects. I wouldnt stress too much over it. Its more about the swings than the actual temps. I run my current setup goes from 79.2 to 80.4 throughout the day, and most say that 1.2 degree swing is perfectly suitable. Try and minimize the high and lows and you'll be fine

Breadman03 · 09/02/2013, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misled

You can use a fan blowing across the top of the tank. It will increase evaporation though.

With 2 computer fans blowing into my canopy when my house was between 98 and 100, my tank stayed at 82-83. Of course, I was also evaporating 5-8 gallons per day on my 75 gallon tank.

It cost about $40 to set up the fans, and I used high end fans.

Dmorty217 · 09/02/2013, 08:01 PM

The only way to cool a tank naturally if you will without fans and chillers is thru evap

hollister · 09/02/2013, 08:20 PM

I freeze a 1 gallon jug of empty tea and then float it once a day.

dkeller_nc · 09/03/2013, 06:41 AM

The room AC is your best idea. They are very inexpensive compared to what they once cost, and while it is certainly true that you can cool a tank down with fans by evaporating water, that tends to make the fish room miserable to be in because of the humidity.

And regardless of the cost, a chiller is best suited to a tank that is either in a large open space in a house serviced by a central AC unit, or located in a basement or outside along a north wall so that the heat rejected by the chiller doesn't drastically heat up the tank room.

By the way - ice blocks are reasonable way to deal with an emergency situation where a heater has gone haywire, but it takes a lot of ice to cool down a hundred gallons of water in a situation where the local environment is too hot (i.e., the room is too warm).

ryeguyy84 · 09/03/2013, 08:06 AM

I'd try a cheap fan blowing across the water surface, and make a decision based on that. with the apex my fan cycles on and off all day long keeping my tank temp between 79.0 and 79.5.

I'd recommend the clamp on one's that wal-mart sells. they are semi quiet and move a large amount of air.

Titobattilocchi · 09/07/2013, 03:12 PM

I think I might try the fan thing first and see where that gets me then move on if it doesn't work thanks a lot guys.

laugh · 09/07/2013, 05:03 PM

If you do end up getting a window AC you really don't need to hook it up to your Apex. Just leave it off unless it's going to be a hot day and then turn it on and set it at whatever temp you want the room to be.

Hzuiel · 09/07/2013, 05:10 PM

Controlling the ambient temperature of the room is by far the best option. Blowing hot air at a tank will cool because of the heat transferring effect of evaporation, but it also makes the room humid.

mikecc67548 · 09/07/2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollister

I freeze a 1 gallon jug of empty tea and then float it once a day.

Titobattilocchi · 09/07/2013, 05:23 PM

I was going to put the fan in my cabinet and point it on my sump. Have the apex turn it on and off as it needs it.

09/02/2013, 06:38 PM	#1
Titobattilocchi Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Eureka, CA Posts: 131	Cooling my tank down question. So I have a apex controller and was wondering about setting up a one room ac unit on it to help cool my tank down. It gets about 82.5 during the day. I have a fan in the window right now and it dropped the temp from 81 to 80.4 in just a few hours so my thought on it would be a one room ac unit so we all benefit from it. I was thinking about a chiller for the tank but can't justify the price for one only for it to be used on the tank. Where I live we only get a few days out of the year where it gets really hot to where the temp would go over 82. Would love the input on what people think and maybe some other ways to fix the problem thanks.

09/02/2013, 06:52 PM	#2
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	You can use a fan blowing across the top of the tank. It will increase evaporation though. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

09/02/2013, 07:27 PM	#5
Fish_King_25 Reef Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 826	I ran a reef at 82-83 for a long while with no ill effects. I wouldnt stress too much over it. Its more about the swings than the actual temps. I run my current setup goes from 79.2 to 80.4 throughout the day, and most say that 1.2 degree swing is perfectly suitable. Try and minimize the high and lows and you'll be fine __________________ ~Kenny~ 29g mixed reef lps, sps, and softies, 10g sump/fuge, cadlights pls-100 skimmer, LifeReef overflow with Mag 7 return pump, Tunze ATO, 2 Koralias, 4x24w T5HO ATIs w/ moonlight LEDs Current Tank Info: Green Chromis, Yellow Clown Goby, Green Mandarin, Diamond Goby, Percula Clown, and CUC

09/02/2013, 08:01 PM	#7
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	The only way to cool a tank naturally if you will without fans and chillers is thru evap __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

09/07/2013, 05:03 PM	#12
laugh Member of the Registry Join Date: May 2004 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 1,226	If you do end up getting a window AC you really don't need to hook it up to your Apex. Just leave it off unless it's going to be a hot day and then turn it on and set it at whatever temp you want the room to be. __________________ NORK President Current Tank Info: All gone

09/02/2013, 06:59 PM	#3
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	82.5 is no problem. When your tank starts to hit 85, 86 on a regular basis, then you might want to reconsider buying that chiller. For now though, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

09/02/2013, 07:05 PM	#4
Titobattilocchi Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Eureka, CA Posts: 131	K. I just heard that you shouldn't let your tank go above 82 or 4 degrees of what your holding temp would be and maying is at 78.

09/02/2013, 08:20 PM	#8
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	I freeze a 1 gallon jug of empty tea and then float it once a day.

09/03/2013, 06:41 AM	#9
dkeller_nc Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 5,062	The room AC is your best idea. They are very inexpensive compared to what they once cost, and while it is certainly true that you can cool a tank down with fans by evaporating water, that tends to make the fish room miserable to be in because of the humidity. And regardless of the cost, a chiller is best suited to a tank that is either in a large open space in a house serviced by a central AC unit, or located in a basement or outside along a north wall so that the heat rejected by the chiller doesn't drastically heat up the tank room. By the way - ice blocks are reasonable way to deal with an emergency situation where a heater has gone haywire, but it takes a lot of ice to cool down a hundred gallons of water in a situation where the local environment is too hot (i.e., the room is too warm).

09/03/2013, 08:06 AM	#10
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	I'd try a cheap fan blowing across the water surface, and make a decision based on that. with the apex my fan cycles on and off all day long keeping my tank temp between 79.0 and 79.5. I'd recommend the clamp on one's that wal-mart sells. they are semi quiet and move a large amount of air.

09/07/2013, 03:12 PM	#11
Titobattilocchi Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Eureka, CA Posts: 131	I think I might try the fan thing first and see where that gets me then move on if it doesn't work thanks a lot guys.

09/07/2013, 05:10 PM	#13
Hzuiel Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 344	Controlling the ambient temperature of the room is by far the best option. Blowing hot air at a tank will cool because of the heat transferring effect of evaporation, but it also makes the room humid.

09/07/2013, 05:23 PM	#15
Titobattilocchi Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Eureka, CA Posts: 131	I was going to put the fan in my cabinet and point it on my sump. Have the apex turn it on and off as it needs it.