Refugium Overheating

[claire1000]

I have a 39g tank with a 20g refugium setup for about 6 months now. The refugium is in a fully enclosed built in wood cabinet.

I currently have a cheap homedepot light socket and a grow bulb in it, but at night when it comes on the tank is getting up to 83+ degrees. I have a homemade plexiglass cover over the refugium to help with evapration and the main tank is mostly covered from the factory.

Should I

1. Try a fan
2. Get a small LED for the refugium
3. Try different bulbs? I tried a basic home one for a short time, but my chaeto died very quickly
4. Move the light fixture further away?

I'm sure a combo of the above is the answer, but any help greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Claire

 

[Sounds Fishy]

One and Two.Take the cover off the sump,refugium.

 

[gone fishin]

I would try taking the cover of first. Evaporation is a great cooling mechanism. Good luck just my 2 cents worth

 

[hotelbravo]

I would try taking the cover of first. Evaporation is a great cooling mechanism. Good luck just my 2 cents worth

+1.
taking the cover off may be all you need to do to solve this problem.

 

[ericarenee]

Get a 6500K CF BULB instead of that Grow light . It will use less power and Run cooler.. As well as some of the comments above...

I use cheap chinese led flood lights over my Fuge....

 

[claire1000]

Taking the cover off is a rough decision. The evaporation was so great it started warping our cabinet. I bought some water absorbers but they weren't keeping up. Go bigger like with a dehumidifier maybe?

 

[Marchillo]

I know I can't take the cover off mine. How long do you run your sump light? Run it 12 hours opposite the display tank. Just get a timer. Reduce the intensity of the bulb. Somewhere between where you are now and where you were when your cheato died.

I just posted a new thread. Today I installed a small fan on one side of my stand and a computer fan covering the cord hole on the other side. It's not a lot of power but I hope it's enough. I keep my side door open with child safety door locks. Point the fan from that side to the opposite corner where I have my computer fan venting out.

I just started this today so I'm hopeful it will work. I'll try to post some pics later.

 

[Marchillo]

The idea is I'm pulling air from outside and blowing the humid air out of the stand.