florida heats it up

I

iancashman

New member
Hey Everyone!

I'm an old vetran when it comes to keeping reef tanks, a few years ago I sold my 75 when I moved to Florida. Just recently I decided to dive back in head first into the hobby! I currently have a 90, stand and canopy with 2x250 HQI pendants among other usual equipment suspects. As I expected, I have some good old fashion heat issues. I reconstructed the top of the canopy to look more like lattice work to vent the top as if it were open, I have a couple of fans that direct some air into the canopy (about 120 CFM each). These dont seem to do the trick. Back in good 'ole Tax-A-Chu-Setts I never had an issue(freezing winters and all).

Its starting to look like a chiller is my only option but, from what I am reading, it looks like a number of folks here dont use chillers and still use halides. So, to start a conversation, what does everyone do to "beat the heat"? Im looking to see what everyone else is doing to get some ideas on how not to buy a chiller, my wallet really cant handle it!

Thanks in advance and I look forward to reefing in such an active community!


- Ian
 
I'm setting up a 390 with 3 halides and 5 big pumps. I'm counting on air circulation and an open top and back to do the job.

Are you in Florida now or still in MA.
 
I keep my house at 80degrees and have a 90 w/250hqi halides pendant. I've got a 12" fan on each side of the tank controlled by an ACIII that keeps my tank temp fluctuation on an average day from 80.0 - 80.3

I'd just put the fans on the same timer as the lights. that should work pretty well.
 
I'm down in Florida, Seminole to be exact. My bud just noticed that my RC profile is a little out dated. :) Still says Brookline. Haha! Glad to be out of there!
 
Most of us don't get excited about the heat until the tank gets up to 84, My 65 has run at 82 for years with no ill effect, but I would like to have it at 80.

A few fans keep will keep things in check and when it gets to 83 I turn on a 10'box fan and add another gallon of water to the auto top off.
 
He built that stand of his not because he was starting a 150 but mainly so he had a place to hide his 10' fan in the back without anyone seeing it...

Like the rest of us he wants to go bigger, but he means with his fan not his tank.
 
If you would run your ac for more than 2 minutes a day and get rid of that heat trap..... errr canopy you might be ok
 
The temp of the tank sticks around 80 with one halide on, with the other on it heats up about 1/2 deg. per hour, forcing me to shut it off and let the tank cool again. I may try the 10' fan but the lady may not like it so much, long hair and all. ;)

I suppose I am getting a little excited, I worry more about the swing in temp(constant with the halides on-off-on-off). Oh, and lets not forget the bulb replacement for the frequent on's and off's! My poor little wallet.
 
Fans, Fans and more fans. If I keep my room temp around 77 - 78 the tank will stay around 80 - 81. I really like fresh air and that sends the water temp 83 - 84. My house has a lot of windows where I have one of my tanks and this tank runs around 82 - 84 almost always. I did have cynobacteria in this tank and when the temp goes down the cyno goes away :).
 
I have a SPS dominate tank. I keep my tank @ 82-84 in the winter and summer 84-86 with no problems. My lighting is 2 250MH 14k and 2 110vho. I have 2 4" fans running in my canopy one pushing air in and the other drawing air out. the canopy is opened in the back. If you like I will past pics
 
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