Do i need a chiller?

[seanbugeja]

Hi guys im new to saltwater aquariums....i had in mind in getting some clown fish, blue and yellow tangs. maybe a couple of bubble tip anemones on my live rock.

Usually my other freshwater tank reaches 30Celcius / 86F in august which is our years maximum...Do you think i can get away without using a chiller? thanks

 

[Sk8r]

Fans built for the purpose.
For blue and yellow tangs, consider a 300 gallon tank.

 

[seanbugeja]

thanks my aquarium has in built fans at the top...will give it a try see what comes of it...thanks a lot!!

 

[Nick92515]

Most saltwater fish won't tolerate above 80 which is a high side. See live Aquarias website for specific fish need as in tank size and temperature.

 

[Tautoga]

IMO, yes you need a chiller. 86 is way too high. I don't like my tank getting above 78-80.

Agree with making sure you are planning for a tank big enough for the tangs. They need a much bigger tank than the clownfish.

Www.liveaquaria.com has good guidelines for tank size for each species.

 

[newsalt1]

A lot also depends on your lighting. If you are going to use metal halides then yes you will need a chiller. I have a 120 with a full enclosed hood I run 6 t5's the hood has three fans and no issues with heat build up. Metal Halides will produce a lot of heat,

 

[power boat jim]

86 is really the high end for a sustained temp. A more important component at that high a temp would be oxygen. Hot water holds less oxygen then cold. You may need to aeriate the tank during the warm monthes to avoid any problems.

 

[seanbugeja]

will run it with a couple of fish for a year see how temperature varies...my hood is running 2 t5 48W (24W each) so heat from them should be that much of a problem considering its running 2 fans...will ride it out for a year get a feel for temperature changes during the year...thanks a lot guys

 

[fishgate]

When I was surf diving in Pensacola the water temp was close to 90 and I saw lots of happy reef fish. I don't think 86 is a problem but the fans should bring it down some.

 

[Sk8r]

A fan blowing directly on the water surface can lower temp by about 10 degrees by evaporation: marine tanks evap a lot anyway. If you do overheat on your way to figuring out what you need, fling open the doors on the sump and let a house fan blast the area. You can also add ziploc bags with ice from the fridge. And some people in hot climes who work during the day also reverse or adjust the light cycle so as to have lights on when it's cooler, and so that they can enjoy their tank longer.
There are 5-fan arrays made to go on the inside of a canopy. And they'd keep the mh a lot happier, too.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I say wait and see what your tank does before spending the $$ on a chiller as a sump fan and some canopy fans may be all you need.
It gets 110+ here in AZ, but I keep the AC at 80. My tanks may get as high as 82, but a fan on the sump keeps things in line.

 

[Scoted]

Are you using a glass top on your freshwater tank?

 

[pyithar]

my tank's temperature reaches 86F or a bit more everyday except winter before i get my chiller. all my fishes including a yellow tang and two clownfish are fine along with soft corals, lps, and even some local sps corals.