Temper. Temper. Temperature.

[reidcrandall]

I have been struggling with getting my temp down, and it's been frustrating.

The highest it has been has been 85. Way higher than I'd like it. But It's steady right now, day and night, betwen 83.8 and 84.7.

Should I worry? I really would rather not get a chiller, and I understand that stability is the most important aspect... But I do have a dilemma.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Reid

 

[SDguy]

During the summer my hex was kept at those temps. Never lost a thing. Even the few acros I had were fine. JMO.

hth

 

[alexinfla]

Any possibilities of fan cooling? Much cheaper than chillers.
What part of the country you in? I'm in Florida with outdoor tanks and they stay between 77 and 83 all summer.

 

[liquidlunch]

I had temp swings from 78-83. I added a 10" fan to my sump controlled by a $50 Ranco temp controller and now the temp is pegged at 78.

 

[reidcrandall]

I am in Indiana. It's 72-73 in my house. I guess my lights are making a lot of heat. It's just a 29 gallon, so maybe it's not dispersed as much as a bigger tank would be.

Reid

 

[rdmpe]

If you get a fan blowing across the top of the water it will probably make a huge difference in your temps by increasing your evaporation - a good method of cooling. But then you'll need more makeup water every day...

 

[reidcrandall]

Should I put the fan over the sump or over the main display?

Reid

 

[CeeGee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7985361#post7985361 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reidcrandall
Should I put the fan over the sump or over the main display?

Reid

Mine is over my sump. A decent fan will cool your tank about 5 degrees. Of course you then have to watch evap rates more carefully. I have my fan hooked to a AC Jr. controller and my temp is now rock solid at 80 degrees and I couldn't be happier.

 

[rdmpe]

It will probably look better if it's over the sump instead of the display. So even though your display tank probably has more water surface area to blow on which gives more cooling, you probably should try it on the sump first. If you don't get enough cooling then move it to the display or add a second fan on the display.

 

[noahfor]

Cu cu-cu-cu-cu cut it

maybe

 

[reidcrandall]

cu-cu-cu-cu-cut what?

I just thought... I have a 500 gph pump for my return, but it's scaled back some with a valve. How much heat will that add?

 

[somethingphishy]

Add a fan
AC the room
Cheap but a pain.....make r/o ice cubes
2L frozen placed in the sump

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7988049#post7988049 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reidcrandall
cu-cu-cu-cu-cut what?

I just thought... I have a 500 gph pump for my return, but it's scaled back some with a valve. How much heat will that add?

exactly as much as the wattage it uses.

 

[reidcrandall]

But would there be more heat transferrance because it has a valve throttled back than there would be if it were wide open?

Reid

 

[RichConley]

No reid, there would be less.

Centrifugal pumps use less energy (and move less water) as additional head is put on them.

 

[LOTUS50GOD]

why is no one advising a chiller? I would go with a chiller and maybe even a Aqua Controller.

 

[RichConley]

because in most cases, a chiller isnt needed.


I run 2x250w halides, and have pumps making 6000gph of flow, as well as a skimmer rated for 300+ gallons on a 58 gallon tank, and have no heat issues. I do not run a chiller.

In most cases, proper design, and a couple of small fans will eliminate the need for chillers.

 

[rdmpe]

Chiller = $500+ and more electricitiy
Fan = $5 and negligible electricity

Aquacontrollers and reefkeepers are nice though

I have a 180 with 3x250w halides and 4x39w t5's, two sequence darts and a mag 9.5, no chiller

 

[reidcrandall]

Chiller is the last resort. Only when the fan doesn't work will I justify the expenditure.

Reid