Okay so I just setup my 280 gallon and the aquarium is running hot around 83 degrees. It's a fish only, but I don't want to have them fry. I also don't think I can afford a chiller unless someone is getting rid of one at a really good rate. Are there any other ways to cool water?
Aquarium running hot...cheap alternatives?
- Thread starter Bbentler
- Start date
Rockitmakr
New member
Use a fan to blow air across the top of the water. Doing this will make the evaporation rate climb though. What is the temp of your house? Are you using a heater? I have a 240 with no heater & I keep the house @ 72 degrees, tank stays at 79.
:beer:
:beer:
mwood
Premium Member
I'd consider switching pumps if they are running that hot. Dare I ask what brand they are?
What wattage of halides do you run? How high off the water are they? You could raise the lights off the water more or switch to a lower wattage.
If you think you have a problem now think about what life will be like in the summer. I run 4 400w halides over a 300 in my basement and my heater runs most of the time to keep it at 79.
Marcus
What wattage of halides do you run? How high off the water are they? You could raise the lights off the water more or switch to a lower wattage.
If you think you have a problem now think about what life will be like in the summer. I run 4 400w halides over a 300 in my basement and my heater runs most of the time to keep it at 79.
Marcus
Well i think part of the problem is that the stand is not well ventilated. The lights are close to the top of the aquarium, but i'm not able to move them any further away. The lights are three 175w halides. I am running two quiet one pumps. This morning I check the temp and the tank was running cool again. I removed the lid on the top and that may have helped the temp problem and I added a fan in my sump. If it runs hot again though I will be back to ground zero.
mwood
Premium Member
Your tank simply should not be running that hot.
First I would validate that it is running that hot. See if you can get a cheap thermometer from the LFS or walmart of a different type than you already have. Just to be sure you don't have a bad thermometer.
Second, how high are your halides off the water? Should be at least 6", but 9-12" is better. Should also ventilate. Vent holes and a pancake fan is easy to add to any hood.
Third, you can check your pumps by removing one or two for a day to see what difference it makes. I like external pumps for the lower heat addition.
Forth, make sure you don't have a bad heater, that it is not running throughout the day.
Marcus
First I would validate that it is running that hot. See if you can get a cheap thermometer from the LFS or walmart of a different type than you already have. Just to be sure you don't have a bad thermometer.
Second, how high are your halides off the water? Should be at least 6", but 9-12" is better. Should also ventilate. Vent holes and a pancake fan is easy to add to any hood.
Third, you can check your pumps by removing one or two for a day to see what difference it makes. I like external pumps for the lower heat addition.
Forth, make sure you don't have a bad heater, that it is not running throughout the day.
Marcus
matt the fiddler
New member
the dorm frigde chillers only pull enough heat off to counter 2 maxijet powerheads.. it really is not efficient
I started running a few fans like I said and so far the tank is running cooler. I will keep my fingers crossed. I am running a coralife thermometer that I got on drsfostersmith.com so it should work okay.i'd say the lights are closer to the six inches away from the top of the tank. I tested my heater and seem to be working okay. I prefer to have all of the pumps working mainly because I just added water and I don't want the sump or the tank to overflow.
overanalyzer
New member
simple question - you don't have a top on the tank do you?? no glass covering or anything? Just checking. You mention somethign about a top - is that the top or the canopy?
glaspie69
Premium Member
You might have more wrong than you think, I'm running 2 175 watt MH mounted 4 inches off the water on my 40 breeder and my tank never goes over 78. Those quiet ones shouldn't be running near that hot, they would have to be seriously cooking in a 280 to raise the temp that much especially if your running your house temp at 66. I would keep a serious eye on the heater, just because the light isn't on doesn't mean it's not running (I learned that the hard way). Until you figure it out open as maybe doors to the stand and canopy as you can and run fans. Keep us posted
lllosingit
New member
I also agree there is something wrong.
I had a 125 gallon with three 175 mh and two 95 watt VHO's plus two pumps and five or six powerheads and the summer temp was a constant 80-81 durring the day and the heaters kicking on at night.
I can't imagine what your temps are going to do in the summer.
I had a 125 gallon with three 175 mh and two 95 watt VHO's plus two pumps and five or six powerheads and the summer temp was a constant 80-81 durring the day and the heaters kicking on at night.
I can't imagine what your temps are going to do in the summer.
