can't keep tank temps down

[Malcolm_C]

i just don't get it, i know im new to florida and all. but i don't understand how my tank temp stays at 83-87 degrees, my ac is set to 76 all day and i don't have any internal pumps the tank is near a window, but i just don't get it, the tank stays at 83-84 with out the lights, if i put a box fan on the sump i can keep the tank temp down about 2 degrees, but then the ac rises in the house a bit. i guess ill need to get a chillier, but im not sure how there are rated, i only need to to get the tank down to 80, so im hoping i dont 'need to buy a huge chiller.

any thoughts

 

[whaler1582]

ok, first off, we need to know what your setup is. tank size, reef or Fowlr, type of lights, etc. then from there we can help you decide on a chiller.
Josh

 

[gabrito]

maybe your heater needs to be calibrated

 

[saltwaterfishlover]

also fans blowing across the water not just the sump and blowing across tank water
my 92 with 400wt halide and 2 24" t-5 with 2 4" muffin fans runs 79.5-81.3

 

[CraigG]

If we have our AC at 76 it stays around 83, when out AC is turned down to 74 the tank stays around 80. I started leaving the top of the tank completely open while the lights are on and that has dropped my tank temps down to about 78.

 

[Fish2reef]

In my case the AC thermostat is on the opposite side of the house so it does not pick up the heat generated by my tank, I use an old chiller that was on a 250 but just because a friend gave me a great deal.

 

[ek9vboi]

If you have a close top (glass) that can cause heat build up. Also, your thermostat could be off if you are using the digital temp readers.

 

[bkwudzjeep]

Fans blowing across the top of the tank has always helped me in the summer. Brought it from 88 to 80-81 degrees. I just found an old computer that my neighbors were tossing and took the fans off of it....bought a variable watt/volt adapter from Harbor Freight for $4 and I was all set.

Your evaporation will increase but its still cheaper than a chiller.

 

[Malcolm_C]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8075183#post8075183 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by whaler1582
ok, first off, we need to know what your setup is. tank size, reef or Fowlr, type of lights, etc. then from there we can help you decide on a chiller.
Josh

i guess that would help

450 with 100 sump and 300 gallon storage tank, 2 400 w hallieds with thre openings acrylic. no heaters 3\4 horse pump external, drives teh entire system. 10 gallon refugium with a 85w cf bulb. large box fan over 100 sump (box house fan) currently no hood lights are on about 7 hours a day. only have a few fish no corals yet, not for another month or so. tanks been running for about 2 months 500pds life rock about a inch of sand 4 eductors 4 foot dual becket skimmer. ac set to 76 and i have a digital themitor next to the tank, tank and it also read 76.


didn put a fan over the top of th tank cuz theres no hood, but thelight are pretty close to the water, but even when the lights are off, its still 84 degress

 

[45commando]

About how many gallons per day is your evap rate,because if you can increase it,you'll pull the temp down some more.Do you have much surface agitation?

 

[gregbot9000]

is your tank is in a small separate room?
if it is, try living the door open.

i have my tank in my bedroom and i have to keep the door open constanly to keep my tank at a normal temp.

 

[Malcolm_C]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8075950#post8075950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 45commando
About how many gallons per day is your evap rate,because if you can increase it,you'll pull the temp down some more.Do you have much surface agitation?

i would say about 3 gallons a day the box fan is at a 45degree angle on the 100 g sump

 

[Malcolm_C]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8076199#post8076199 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gregbot9000
is your tank is in a small separate room?
if it is, try living the door open.

i have my tank in my bedroom and i have to keep the door open constanly to keep my tank at a normal temp.

tanks in the living room

 

[bawla47]

malcolm, sorry to say it. but it looks like your probably going to need a chiller.


evaporative cooling is ok for smaller tanks, but bigger tanks, you tend to add an extreme amount of humidity to the air. your a/c in your home is going to be working in overdrive because of it. also humidity plays a factor in your comfort too. your home at 77 and 60-70% humidity, might feel almost the same as a home 80 degrees with 30-40% humidity.

id look into a 1/2 hp chiller or so, but as you step up that high, id recommend looking into a split type system, it will run alot more efficient.

any HTH's some.

 

[Bullredchaser]

You need a minimum of a 1/2 horsepower period.

 

[waldomas]

I have a 180 gal. with no chiller and its been running about 83-85 degrees lately. I have two fans blowing full blast across my sump (55 gal.) and top off 35 gal./wk. I bought a clip on fan at W-mrt yesterday and put it on the top of my tank and.....temp. dropped to 81 deg.!!! Happy days are here again! Try a fan across the top blowing under the lights.

 

[Malcolm_C]

holly CRap!!!

they cost a crap load, damn! this is going to be a problem, i guess ill look into some diy stuff for starters.


damn!

 

[Malcolm_C]

from my experience acros start dieing at 85 how about u guys

 

[whaler1582]

on the 400 gallon show tank where i work, we have 3-250 halides and 3-150 halides on it and use a 1/2 horse chiller on it. it keeps it at about 79. later on we are gonna upgrade to a 3/4 horse when we put 3-400 watt halides over it once we finally finish the stand and canopy. so you are definately gonna need at least a 1/2 horse, but probably a 3/4 or so.
Josh

 

[waldomas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8077860#post8077860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Malcolm_C
from my experience acros start dieing at 85 how about u guys

No ill effects other than not having full polyp extension on them all. All large polyp stonies seem normal. My monties seem to be affected the most. I get a little bleaching on the tips of the digis.