tank temps

[mcrist]

I am not disagreeing with you about the temp swings but every author I have read states no more than 1-2 degrees. I have always trusted Bob Fenner and Anthony Calfo on this one.

 

[xraydoc]

I would not buy a chiller unless the ambient temperature of your room prevents you from actively cooling it with fans.

I have 2 x 250 DE halides over my tank, when I installed them I saw temperature swings up tp 84 (from 78). So, I thought out my fan placement and ultimately found an arrangement that works well.

I placed my fans (3, 4 inch AC fans) in the roof of the canopy. That way they are not seen and in my opinion are more efficient as there is no heat trapping in the upeer reaches of the canopy. I have two intake fans on each end next to the reflectors and a exhaust fan between them. This creates a convection pattern over the water and it works wonderfully. I currently have my temperature controller set to 79.2 and my max temp reached during the day is 79.9. In my 90G display they cause about 3 - 3.5 gpd evaporation.

I dont necessarily think that temperature swings are a bad thing (as long as the max doesn't reach too high) but I prefer stability.

If you like I could post some pictures if they might help you.

 

[skaterzero22]

i understand what your saying. i didnt mean to start a huge argument on reef central about this. i am going to mess with the fans a little bit to get the temperatures to work better. if it doesnt work i'll be going for a chiller.. it'll help in an upgrade anyways.. i am worried about the summer temps here in florida but ill just drop the ac in the house a little bit to keep it a nice steady temp all year long

 

[nemonick84]

I second the one halide set-up. I had a 250 watt MH centered over my 55 w/ brace and had no problems whatsoever. A slight shadow cast down the middle of the tank was the only fall-back. You'd only need to worry about the brace melting if you had the halide sitting on top of it or within an inch of it. But if that was the case then the halide would be too close to the water's surface anyway. Save yourself some money and go with the single halide. It makes sense in every possible respect.

 

[ihopss]

DO you have a sump,if not that will help.

 

[skaterzero22]

yes have a sump

 

[mcrist]

I sold my chiller and just use a fan now. It doubles my evaporation rate but it saves on electricity.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

if you wanted to run the (1) over the center, you could use a strip (metal,plexi,etc) to cover the brace to be sure. that other guy said his was fine too.
you said you were "cheap", but last I time I checked, halides weren't cheap I would definitely save one for down the road

 

[skaterzero22]

I am really likeing the 2 halides at the moment. I'm gonna be stubborn for the time being and try to get the temp down other ways. (i think I ruled the chiller out for awhile) if it comes to it I will take out one halide and mount 2 pc 10k's in to keep the whoe tank lit. but I may need bigger fans. I think these 80mm's aren't cutting it.

 

[sk8rreefgeek]

you could always use one to grow other things...

 

[WinnipegDragon]

Are your fans pointed at the lights or the water? Remember you need to cool the water, not the lights.

Also consider adding a fan over your sump.

 

[DarkStar76]

Good luck skaterzero22. Keep the lights you want. I run two 400w MH bulbs about 8" over my 90 gallon tank, and I also have 220w of PC blue/actinic. I have a good assortment of soft, LPS, and SPS corals in the tank and I've been running this way for two and a half years. I'm not changing my setup either, even when people tell me I have "too much" light. It works. I am able to keep my "high" temp at 84F by using only two 4" fans that pull air from outside the tank, pass it under the PC light (over the water), and then under the MH lights (over the water) then back out into the room. My temp swings are similar to yours and don't see to cause any problems. I have roughly 30 gallons of water in the sump (in the dark) at any time, with no fan on the sump. My water turnover is 3,800 gph, and I'm considering another SEIO 1100. I run two big heaters to make certain that it doesnt' get too cold at night. I've considered getting a chiller, but many of my corals are growing so fast that I have a hard time understanding why I should make a change.

 

[mcrist]

Hey whatever works for you...Do you need to where sunglasses when you look at your tank. :dance: :rollface:

 

[skaterzero22]

thanks darkstar.. that made me feel a tad better about the high temp. still gonna try to fix it anyways but now i know it can't be too bad

 

[skaterzero22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12073350#post12073350 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mcrist
Hey whatever works for you...Do you need to where sunglasses when you look at your tank. :dance: :rollface:

only when i open the canopy :lol:

 

[DarkStar76]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12073426#post12073426 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skaterzero22
only when i open the canopy :lol:

Nice! I have to put on sunscreen before opening my canopy.