Keeping a small tank cool

[mpderksen]

My 25gal is running way too hot. 81-84°! Even in the morning, though we keep the house @ 76-78°F. Downstairs, the 75gal has an Artica 1/10hp chiller. I really don't want to invest in another chiller, since the flow requirements for it would be way too much for this tank. I'm thinking of a clamp fan that the controller can turn on, but not sure that would be enough? And no, I'm not gonna float frozen water bottles in there and have to swap them every few hours.
Ideas?

 

[Reef Frog]

Is the tank hooded & what kind of lights? It looks like your equipment could be adding 4-8 degrees. Remember a 75w heater or powerhead it is basically a 75w heater. If you could replace it with a suitable unit that used 25w instead it could buy you a few degrees.

The fan is the best idea. If the indoor air is dry enough it could buy you 2-3 degrees downward.

Maybe drop the room temp by a few degrees? Combining some of these things could get you where you want to be.

Many reefers keep their tanks at the temps you have now with apparantly no ill effects. But I, like you, shoot for 80F or under.

 

[ryeguyy84]

if you have an ATO I think the clip on fan should be fine. I use this one from walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Jarden-Home-Environment-Holmes-6-Convertible-Clip-Table-Fan-Black/23422685

it moves quite a bit of air for it's size, keeps my 60G cool in the summer months. Keep your ATO topped off though

 

[Animagus]

81-84 is no big deal IME as long as the temperature doesn't change to rapidly. Like mentioned above though a fan will definitely help.
Better get a move on though, Friday and Saturday are supposed to be scorchers here in the valley.

 

[mpderksen]

Keeping a small tank cool

Thanks all. Sadly, my office is the warmest room in the house, but I built this tank specifically for my desk (see pic below). Currently my energy bill is $482/month on the balanced plan. Not looking to add more by running the A/C lower.
I have an MP10 on one side, a WP10 on the other and a basic RIO1200 return. Then there's the Tunze9001 skimmer.
The heat seems to be making algae more of a problem. My 100-head Duncan is doing great, but my zoas and cloves seem to be melting.
The top is screened, but also euro braced

And yes, there's a Tunze ATO to a 4 gallon bucket under the desk.

 

[ryeguyy84]

That's a 25g? That thing looks long.
Do a fan blowing across the water up top and on the sump. If you have a controller even better. My house gets to around 76 -77 during the day and the fan works great

 

[mpderksen]

Keeping a small tank cool

That's a 25g? That thing looks long.
Do a fan blowing across the water up top and on the sump. If you have a controller even better. My house gets to around 76 -77 during the day and the fan works great

Yep, main DT is a little over 4 foot, 8" wide by 12" deep. I partitioned the end into a sump. I have a RKL with a free outlet available.

During the initial leak test after I built it.

 

[ryeguyy84]

That's a really cool tank, nice work!

 

[nereefpat]

Are you getting any heat or light from that window? There are energy efficient and blackout type curtains if so.

I agree on trying a fan

 

[StrangeDejavu]

That's a pretty big fixture for such a small volume of water, i'd be willing to bet that's producing the heat. I'm running a BioCube 29 without the stock lid and glass cut to fit both the display part and the rear chambers. House temp bounces between 76 and 77. Even with a glass lid, my tank runs between 78 - 79.

 

[mpderksen]

That's a pretty big fixture for such a small volume of water, i'd be willing to bet that's producing the heat. I'm running a BioCube 29 without the stock lid and glass cut to fit both the display part and the rear chambers. House temp bounces between 76 and 77. Even with a glass lid, my tank runs between 78 - 79.

Not as big as it looks. I contacted Rapid (I built my fixtures for my 75 for them and it's a great local company) and they sent me a kit with a heatsink that is 48" long, but only 2" wide. Single strip of LEDs and not much heat.
The room is on an upstairs corner that gets sun for most the day. Ordering a fan as a start.

 

[mpderksen]

Not as big as it looks. I contacted Rapid (I built my fixtures for my 75 for them and it's a great local company) and they sent me a kit with a heatsink that is 48" long, but only 2" wide. Single strip of LEDs and not much heat.
The room is on an upstairs corner that gets sun for most the day. They house is pretty new, so the windows and insulation should be as good as reasonably possible. Ordering a fan as a start.

 

[mpderksen]

Keeping a small tank cool

if you have an ATO I think the clip on fan should be fine. I use this one from walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Jarden-Home-Environment-Holmes-6-Convertible-Clip-Table-Fan-Black/23422685

it moves quite a bit of air for it's size, keeps my 60G cool in the summer months. Keep your ATO topped off though

I got exactly this fan through Amazon. The tank is holding steady at 77°F, which is the set point of the heater. Still need to configure it in the RKL. Outlets are much easier to do with my Apex.... It currently runs 24/7, but once I get it switched to the probe, I won't have it on as much. Pretty quiet though.

 

[ezerasurfr]

I would go with one of these over the walmart fan. They just are more aesthetically pleasing imo.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...8-a3b0-4f0d-b847-0ae9cb54558a&pf_rd_i=desktop

 

[Herper]

have you checked to make sure your thermometer or the heater aren't malfunctioning? did you (or someone you live with) accidentally increase the temp?

 

[cougareyes]

I was able to keep a 14, 29 and 30 at 80 when the room temp got as high as 85 during the day with fans. The clip on fans that do look nice, some are better than others. I also used an icecube chiller, that still works after years; and a chill solutions that only lasted 2 summers; I found the fans to be just as effective.