This is my first post here on reef central, I have been doing a bunch of research trying to educate myself on reef tanks. I am hoping to start piecing together equipment for my first 120g system but I have 1 possible set back. The wife has only OK'd space in the garage for the aquarium, that being said my garage is not climate controlled so on our few days here that we reach 90*+ the garage can get pretty toasty. Can anyone with experience with warm rooms tell me weither or not I'm going to have an issue keeping the water temps in the exceptable range or do we think a chiller is going to be needed? Thank you for any info or advice.
Issues with room temperature? Bay Area California
- Thread starter Buzz1538
- Start date
Oh I'm trying! Unfortunately we don't have the largest home, so we are a little
limited on open space.
cougareyes
New member
Room where I keep my tanks gets up to 85 and I can keep them at 80 with fans. I get a lot of evaporated, I use an ato, I consider this to be about Max. At 90 I would think definite chiller.
There are a lot of things you can do to reduce the heat in your system and may negate the absolute need for a chiller. If you use LED lighting which transfers the least amount of heat of the three common lighting systems (the other two being Metal Halide and T-5 bulbs) that will go a long way towards eliminating the chiller. Use efficient pumps, there are big differences in the amount of heat that different pumps produce. Look for pumps that give you your desired water flow with the smallest wattage's. Fans are key to avoiding a chiller. A fan blowing air across the water surface of your display tank and sump will easily reduce water temperatures 4 degrees. Those are the main tank components, so next up is reducing the heat in your garage. Gable fans do a very good job at lowering the garage temperatures. You can set them at a fairly low temperature like 85 degrees so they start to blow out the hot air that collects at the top of garage before it becomes a problem lower in the garage at tank level. You can also add wind driven turbines in the roof. I utilize all the above in tank options I listed and my tank stay well below 82 all year. Last year we went on vacation; I set our house AC at 82 since we were expecting 100 degree weather, but my wife turned off the AC without me knowing before we left. I was worried about the tank the hole trip once I found out my wife had turned off the AC, but I monitored the tank daily and it stayed at or below 82 the whole time. When we got home the house was 92 inside but the tank was still at 81.8 degrees.
Guys thank you so much for info on previous experiences and recommendations, I think I've come up with a solution to convince the old lady to have the aquarium in the house. Unfortunately it's going to involve a small renovation to the living room hahaha. It's just going to set me back a little bit on my timeline for the aquarium but it's ok. I want to make sure I do this right.
Ron Reefman
Active member
Buzz, has she seen a good looking aquarium in person? Is she into Mother Nature? How about pets? Have you guys ever been on a vacation to some place tropical and on the water (Florida Keys, Hawaii, any place in the Caribbean, any islands in the South Pacific...). All those things, plus convincing my wife I needed a new hobby (I gave up racing sports cars due to cost and old age) helped me get my first tank. But it was just a 30g, going for a 120g right off the bat is a big get in terms of concessions from the wife. BTW, maybe calling her the 'old lady' on a public forum when you are asking for her to allow you to do something isn't exactly the way to get there! :headwally:
You may get by without a chiller in a 90 degree garage, but IMHO, long term it's not a good arrangement. Even a small chiller used more as a back up when temperatures get too high for a week would be a good idea.
You may get by without a chiller in a 90 degree garage, but IMHO, long term it's not a good arrangement. Even a small chiller used more as a back up when temperatures get too high for a week would be a good idea.
HAHAHA I see your point but she's only 27 so I don't think she would take offense. "YET"
Our anniversary is coming up so looks like I'm going to have to butter her up with something nice.
hkgar
Active member
Contrary to what S8tr said, women generally do not like getting refrigerators or ranges as "special occasions" (birthdays, anniversaries etc. gifts. Nothing that infers housework. Maybe "honey, look what I bought for the house".
GimpyFin
Active member
Lol. I agree, you won't win her over with a new stove. Take her shopping for girly things (Maybe a nice handbag, some shoes, spa treatment, whatever she's into.)
Garage is set up as the man cave already. Pool table, tv, bar, beer fridge!
But we have come to an agreement. A little honey do list, including getting our tv out of the corner and hung over the fireplace, which will in turn give me my spot for the tank. Plus she is already getting a 7 day cruise to the Bahamas for our anniversary so sorry Hun no new handbags hahaha.
