Temperature issues

[T Diddy]

My tank won't get below 80, and no higher than 84. Corals are ok, but I know they aren't happy at that temp. A chiller is out of the question. Would plumbing in another 100 gallons worth of system without any MH over it help bring the temp down significantly? I was considering making a large refugium out of a 100 gallon rubbermaid agricultural tub.

 

[shifty51008]

have you tried running some cheap 8" clip on fans over the top of the water? you will be amazed on how well they work.

 

[wrott]

shifty is correct, a fan is the best method to reduce temp. It must be blown over turbulent water to be most efficient (top of display, where a power head is churning).
84F is not bad if you maintain it w/in 2-3 degrees, enzymes in corals will adapt to the increased metabolic rate.

 

[aleonn]

Fans blowing over the sump and over the display should be sufficient, depending on your ambient temperature and overall wattage usage.

 

[T Diddy]

thanks for the replies. but ambient temperature is an issue. I don't think that fans will suffice. The tankis an in wall DT in a dedicated fish room...temp in fish room is higher than the rest of the house. I'm thinking of a thermostat activated vent fan thru the cieling and out of the house, in addition to the add on refugium.

Thoughts?

 

[rsl3]

My old 180 had 3 250 watt halides and 2 150 halides and the temp would run on the high side and when i added fans, it brought the temp down 2-3 degrees and maintained it so i would give that a shot

 

[TripleT]

If ambient temp is an issue, you need more evaporation, or a chiller.

A fan, increased surface area, and more surface turbulence can help with evaporation.

If you were ever inclined to try a turf scrubber, that would help evaporation as well.

If your tank is covered, replace with a mesh screen.

Or... reduce the ambient temperature.

Good luck!

 

[Scott-CapeCoral]

Your sig. says 140 gallon, so I'm guessing you have a 140g tank? Adding 100 gallons to that system would almost double your water volume. Your water change % as you know it now would change. Resulting in more salt costs in the long run. Why is a chiller out of the question?

 

[preef]

have you tried running some cheap 8" clip on fans over the top of the water? you will be amazed on how well they work.

+1

Clip on fans work amazingly well. Cool the tank through evaporation. You can get the tank a few degrees below ambient with the fans IME.

 

[tspors]

That cheap 8" fan from Wallyword keeps my temps down 4 degrees from normal.

 

[T Diddy]

Your sig. says 140 gallon, so I'm guessing you have a 140g tank? Adding 100 gallons to that system would almost double your water volume. Your water change % as you know it now would change. Resulting in more salt costs in the long run. Why is a chiller out of the question?

I don't want to bother with a chiller because that is just one more disaster waiting to happen...I've seen enough bleached corals as a result of a failed chiller to know that I don't want one.

The DT and sump are both open without a canopy. The stand is a DIY stand that is unwrapped. I'll try the fans and see how that works. As for the added salt costs, I don't mind. A 100 gallon refugium would be a great addition IMO, and may help to stabilize the overall temp without adding a chiller.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in.

 

[DustinB]

What is your actual ambient temp? I'm running dual 250w MH over my 90 with an eclosed canopy and fans. I have no problem keeping the tank within 1-2 degrees ambient temp. Even on really hot days when the room is 82 my tank is at 82.

 

[sirreal63]

Your temps are not a problem and perfectly fine, it would appear the corals are used to the temps. Adding the water volume will have little impact on the temps as that water will also stabilize with the ambient temps of the room, however it may slow the heating process slightly. The fan does help and exhausting some of the humid air out of the fishroom will also help. In short, you don't have a problem, don't make it one.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

If the ambient temperature is high, no amount of additional water will help. A chiller would. You need to reduce either the external temperature or the internal temperature, your choice.

Jeff

 

[mscarpena]

You live in Georgia dont you have AC to cool down the room temp. Also venting the room and a fan will help tremendously. Just a fan may not help too much if your temp and humidity is real high in an enclosed room. Also you may be looking at a mold issue if you do not take care of the temp and if the humidity is high.