HELP-- 84+ Temp w/Lights Off

[MrSandman]

Hey Irene,

High temps with the lights off and heater unplugged (the heater is unplugged, right??) Sounds like what everyone else is saying...a dirty pump. Are you still running 2 pumps (the Iwaki return and the Sedra for the skimmer)? Or are you running more than that? Dirty pumps can and will run hotter. That Iwaki pump will run warm to the touch, especially since it is under the tank next to the sump. If it turns out to not be the skimmer, then i'd recommend removing the Iwaki and give it a good cleaning. If its the skimmer thats causing the problem, then i'd remove it, look for any blockages or shells stuck in the intake and/or soak the entire thing in hot vinegar. Have you done any of this cleaning since we setup the tank? It was rather cool in the area today so i have a feeling something is malfunctioning in there.

 

[Mchava]

I also think that something is wrong. My tank runs at 79deg when the lights are off and I have a lot of submerge pumps. I have a mag18,tunze 7400 and a 6080 and a ehiem 1260. So yes there is something wrong in the tank.

 

[ivyvine1]

6/19 - 7 a.m. w/skimmer turned off last night.

Tank = 83.3
House = 73

So it does sound like it is the pump, right?? Thanks all !!!

Now I want to CLEAN the pump BEFORE I order a chiller.
I never cleaned a pump before so I guess I should hire someone the first time around?

Thank you ALL for the responses and all the suggestions (incl Ramon) and yes .... the heater is unplugged, sheeesh .

-Irene

 

[glaudds]

Sounds good....a drop of almost 2 degrees.
Cleaning the pump isn't really that hard, you could probably do it yourself.
If it is a sedra pump...just twist off the front plate to remove the impeller inside. Soak everything in vinegar for a few hours to soften things up. Then thoroughly clean everything and reassemble.
If you have a digicam, take a few pictures as your dissassembling it to remind you how things should look. Good luck...

 

[NicoleC]

the heater is unplugged, sheeesh

That wasn't an unreasonable suggestion; heaters do get stuck on from time to time, and if your light had also happened to burn out...

Good to see your temp coming down. It should be a nice temp by the beach today, so hopefully it will drop a bit more by this evening. Cleaning is easy! No need to hire anyone.

 

[Konadog]

Irene, glad to here you found something!

Cleaning is easy, if the pump has algae on it, clean that off first.

Just get a 5 gallon bucket, put in 3 gallons of fresh water, be sure the pump is pointing sideways, and turn the pump on. When your sure that the pump isn't spraying water everywhere, add a 1/2 cup of bleach and let it run for 30 minutes. (do this outside as it will stink!!!)

If/when the pump is clean, rinse in fresh water for a few minutes.

Lastly, do the same prep again, but take the pump intake off and impeller out. Then, instead of bleach, use 3 cups of white vinegar and let soak. You don't have to run the pump this time. After a few hours, the coralline and calcium buildup should be soft enough to brush off with a tooth brush. You can also do this with all vinegar, no water, and it will happen faster, but use more vinegar.

When your done cleaning, reassemble and test in your bucket to be sure it runs, then reinstall it on the skimmer.

It may sound tough, but it's not. It just takes time.

 

[ivyvine1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7587353#post7587353 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NicoleC
That wasn't an unreasonable suggestion; heaters do get stuck on from time to time, and if your light had also happened to burn out...

Hi Nicole, I just just kidding with him, because he has taught me a lot about the tank; in fact, he set it up and did a very good job . We just never got around to Lesson 2a - Pump Cleaning.

Cleaning is easy! No need to hire anyone.

I hope it is because I would like to learn how to do it myself .... just not too comfortable doing it the first time alone .

 

[ivyvine1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7588152#post7588152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Konadog


It may sound tough, but it's not. It just takes time.

Thanks for the step-by-step instructions Ken. I just don't know what all those parts are ..... I will have to work this out somehow. I am sure it is MUCH easier the second - at least for me.

After I do this I will post the results.

Thank you,
Irene

 

[MrSandman]

Irene,

I'm still not fully convinced that its the skimmer pump.

You mentioned that your tank was at 84+ with the lights off in the morning. Then you mentioned your tank got up to 85 when you got home from work. When you got home from work, were the lights on?

If so, then that less than 1 degree drop you saw when you shut down the skimmer pump is pretty normal. After all, it is a submerged pump so that's expected.

If the lights were off, then it just might be the skimmer. Ignore what i said.

If the lights were on, then it may be your return pump.

 

[ivyvine1]

Sorry Ramon ..... we didn't get to Lesson 2b either, "How to Respond Correctly/Clearly to Threads."

What I meant above (several threads up is) ..... it must be the main/return pump. The main/return pump needs to be cleaned (because the skimmer pump seems to be okay).

No offense to other females (e.g. Nicole) ...... but I am F and not up to speed (yet) with the mechanics.

 

[ivyvine1]

Just want to let all those who helped me in this thread know that I finally invested in a chiller (last Thursday) and I am so happy and relieved I did. I have the chiller set to 77-78-ish and it feels "great" not to stress about the tank every day during the summer. The fish are livelier and the corals are especially booming in just these few days. One of my brains (in the tank) have gone from looking pretty normal to the size of a hugh lemon!

I will learn how to clean the pump soon, but I realized that I had high temps every summer, from the beginning, since I had the 90gal installed.

The following is just my opinion : To those who have high temps (in the mid-80's w/fans during these early summer months), and who are also contemplating buying a chiller, I would highly recommend "just doing it." My tank is so much happier and I am "finally" more relaxed.

Again ..... thank you ALL ~~
-Irene

 

[NicoleC]

I totally agree, Irene. Even if you don't NEED a chiller, the peace of mind is worth the price.