Tank temp really high

[ipiniowa]

I just started a 90 gallon yesterday afternoon. The temp is exceptionally high in my opinion. 82.9 when I turned off the metal hallides. I have timers set for 10 hours on, but I thought I would turn them on for 12 hours to see what happened. At 10 hours is was at 81.9. I set the heater at 78 and was wondering if I should throttle that down to 76, but I am concerned of what the temp would do if I turned it down and the lights were off overnight. I am not sure of how much temperature fluctuation is good. I have read little about chillers and was wondering if one is needed.

Setup is:

90 gallon tank
CPR AquaFuge pro (about another 20 gallons of water with 2 compact flouresants and skimmer)
Seio M1500 powerhead
Supreme magnetic drive utility pump M12
1 48" actinic
350 watts of Metal Hallides
300 watt heater in the fuge.
80 lbs of LS
100 lbs of LR
Salinity 1.025

Thanks

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Try a fan blowing across the surface. Should help at least 1 - 2 degrees.

 

[Dubbin1]

82.9 is not all that bad. Many people keep their reefs at 83.

 

[ipiniowa]

I forgot to mention I have fans on it as well.

 

[Amphiprion]

I agree with Dubbin1. That temp is not bad, simply slightly above average (with regards to reefs), which is ~82 degrees.

 

[bkwudzjeep]

I think you are fine right now. The fan will do wonders for temp, but make sure you watch your evaporation levels and top-off with freshwater accordingly.

Wait until summer to see what the temp spikes at for the year and go from there. I do not use a chiller here in FL, but am soon going to be adding 2x250w MH. I am running about that much now in PC lighting (at 81 degrees now), so we'll see. I am relying on the fan method of cooling for the summer.......

Who knows what weather is up for the country this year....they are talking snow for tomorrow.......crazy!! I just got back from a ski trip in New York, and didn't get to ski because it was too nice (warm/rainy) for snow.....go figure

 

[ipiniowa]

So Dubbin1 and Amphiprion both agree that I should leave it alone is what I am hearing. Since my tank was 81.7 and 82.9 2 hours later. This is after a full 12 hours of light.

 

[jimbo045]

That is hi. You can do as my pal without a chiller. Hook up those drinking water refregs. With some hoses, a power head it can be running. JD

 

[BurntOutReefer]

hmmmm....matter of opinion....(and biolife). 1) What will you / are you keeping. 2) will they tolerate this temp.?
82.9 might aswell be 83......Leave your heater on for 78 thou...as water temp is really is NOT constant.... if you have the $$$ then buy a chiller...otherwise FANs.......have them on a timer so they start same time as your MH and turn off 1 hour after your MH goes off.........IMO

 

[Fast Fred]

The temp isn't as bad as the swing that you may have. IMO a 5 degree daily swing is too much.

 

[ipiniowa]

I will check the temp in the morning and do the same thing, but only 10 hours of light and see what happens tomorrow.

 

[fishaholic911]

I agree with fast fred