question about chiller

[illal]

im hoping to finally get my second 250w mh up and running today and im starting to worry about the heat..... i guess my question is how many of you are using mh's without a chiller?? up until now ive had the glass canopy over the tank wich seems to have been keeping the heat off the top of the water but it also obviously blocks some light and gets dirty pretty easy..... glass canopy not such a great idea??? and do you think im guna need a chiller?? btw my temp now usually ranges from about 79-81 or as high as 82 on hotter days

 

[nyvp]

the high temp isnt as important as the swings 82/83 is fine but try to keep the swing as small as possible.

 

[stevem650]

I would remove the glass top and add some fans that will blow under the lamps and on the surface of the water. Also, putting a fan blowing on your sump will help. The trade off is you will evaporate more water. My temp swing is 79 to 82 without any problems in 3 years.

 

[jessp]

also depends on what you plan on keeping, some corals are more forgiving than others

 

[stevem650]

also depends on what you plan on keeping, some corals are more forgiving than others

If you are keeping acros, I would definitely keep the temp constant.

 

[volunteerguy]

i have a fan blowing across my sump and keeps my temps stable without the need for a chiller

 

[db_triggerfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10771440#post10771440 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nyvp
the high temp isnt as important as the swings 82/83 is fine but try to keep the swing as small as possible.

i agree, that is why i plan to get one, looking at teco seachill.

 

[illal]

so everyone agrees that i should take the glass canopy off???

 

[whaler1582]

Yes, the glass canopy is making your tank have a green house effect. the lights heat up the water and when it evaporates, the glass stops it from going anywhere in turn heating up the tank even more.
Josh

 

[LouPhoenix]

I agree, no glass canopy.... My timer was set to start the fans pointed at the water's surface as the the Metal Halides turn on. Then the fans stay on for 1 additional hour after the halides go off. This kept my temp steady at 80-81 degrees.