Tank running warm....

[jeff20578]

well summer is here and I enjoy having my windows open durring the day for fresh air. Because of this my tank is running warm 82-84 degrees. Is a $500 chiller my only option other than closing the windows and putting the air on?

I herd a canister filter without the filters would work if i kept putting ice in it, but this seems like a lot of work.

thanks

 

[THE ROOK]

Couple of computer fans blowing across the water makes a huge difference. Can be put together for under $10.00.

 

[salmonslayer]

A chiller is best. What ROCK said will helpalso. Good luck

 

[johnike]

I keep a couple of 2 liter plastic bottles in the freezer filled with water, and drop one in the sump. Change 'em out when thawed. Hillbilly chiller!

 

[gooyferret]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227742#post15227742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johnike
I keep a couple of 2 liter plastic bottles in the freezer filled with water, and drop one in the sump. Change 'em out when thawed. Hillbilly chiller!

That is a great "hillbilly" chiller and a good idea. I dont usually have a problem with my tank going over 81. But I like to keep the tank at 79 so I started running a cheap $10 fan from walmart. So instead of the temp flux 3 degrees a day its only about 1 degree

 

[Timbor]

Personally, I don't think 82-84 is a huge deal. I would worry more if it gets to like 88 or above.

Otherwise, fans and ice are a good idea. Just make sure to watch the evaporation rates when using fans, as that is how the tank is cooled, so you will have more evaporation.

 

[jeff20578]

My only concern is that everything in the tank is used to a temp of 78-79. Now, altough it gradually goes up to 82-84 the fish arent used to the warmer water and possibly getting stressed.

Its funny, I'd nerver guess that i would become attactched to the fish like a dog/cat!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227906#post15227906 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Timbor
Personally, I don't think 82-84 is a huge deal. I would worry more if it gets to like 88 or above.

Otherwise, fans and ice are a good idea. Just make sure to watch the evaporation rates when using fans, as that is how the tank is cooled, so you will have more evaporation.

 

[Timbor]

Well, if the livestock are showing signs of stress, then it may be more of an issue

Use some fans, and if theres any other electronics or things in the room that can generate heat (like a computer in my case) turn them off during the day so they don't add heat to the room.

 

[jeff20578]

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks for your help!

 

[johnike]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227755#post15227755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gooyferret
That is a great "hillbilly" chiller and a good idea. I dont usually have a problem with my tank going over 81. But I like to keep the tank at 79 so I started running a cheap $10 fan from walmart. So instead of the temp flux 3 degrees a day its only about 1 degree

Tough keepin' it stable today, no power since that hurricane blew through last night! Running the sump return pumps and freezer on a generator. The beer is still cold...I repeat- the beer is still cold!

 

[OwenInAZ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227990#post15227990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeff20578
My only concern is that everything in the tank is used to a temp of 78-79. Now, altough it gradually goes up to 82-84 the fish arent used to the warmer water and possibly getting stressed.

Its funny, I'd nerver guess that i would become attactched to the fish like a dog/cat!

Meh, the fish will get used to warmer water now

 

[qfrisco]

What's your house temperature at with the windows open? If your ambient temp is 82-84F then there's no hope of getting your tank water lower than that without a chiller of some sort, no matter how many fans you have.

 

[emoore]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15231459#post15231459 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by qfrisco
What's your house temperature at with the windows open? If your ambient temp is 82-84F then there's no hope of getting your tank water lower than that without a chiller of some sort, no matter how many fans you have.

You may be able to get the tank down a degree or two below the ambient temperature but only if you have a lot of evaporation from fans. My house gets up to 81-82 and I am able to keep my tank at 80 with the use of fans only.

 

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227990#post15227990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeff20578
My only concern is that everything in the tank is used to a temp of 78-79. Now, altough it gradually goes up to 82-84 the fish arent used to the warmer water and possibly getting stressed.

Its funny, I'd nerver guess that i would become attactched to the fish like a dog/cat!

82-84 is probably more natural to your fish and is probably about (or just a tick above) the average yearly temperature for most reefs where our fish and corals are collected. In other words, your temps getting that high is nothing to worry about and may actually make your corals better able to deal with thermal stress than maintaining a constant and low temperature. The whole temperatures must be stable nonsense is old school thinking and has very little basis.

 

[bennietheblenny]

I used fans and frozen bottles as well, works good, but you do have to keep an eye out on water level. Always kept my temp around 79.
I upgraded my sump and moved it to the garage, tank now stays around 83 to 84. Was worried at first but the fish still seem happy and no changes so far. i think Peter is right.

 

[Tswifty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15231771#post15231771 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Peter Eichler
82-84 is probably more natural to your fish and is probably about (or just a tick above) the average yearly temperature for most reefs where our fish and corals are collected. In other words, your temps getting that high is nothing to worry about and may actually make your corals better able to deal with thermal stress than maintaining a constant and low temperature. The whole temperatures must be stable nonsense is old school thinking and has very little basis.

+1

 

[DPinSD]

+1 I seem to get alittle better PE at 80-81 than 78-79

 

[DaveG99]

leaving the windows open in Texas is not only uncomfortable but its also dangerous! I like my house at 74. Your tank will run at least a few degrees hotter than the air temp because of the heat from pumps and lighting.

 

[ReeferChick85]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15227990#post15227990 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeff20578


....Its funny, I'd nerver guess that i would become attactched to the fish like a dog/cat!

Agreed They're our pets too! Wow. I sound like a total PETard but whatever hahaha!

Anyways back to the topic at hand....I had major heat issues especially during the summertime and my temps fluctuated to extreme measures so a chiller was the route I went after trying all sorts of stuff. I wasn't getting the consistency I wanted. The room temp where your tank is located is also a big factor. Hope everything works out!

 

[cdbias2]

I bet you have a Mag drive pump.