Temperature question

[eeorrandy]

I'm getting peak temps of about 84.5 f with my halides on. I have my heater set at 80 f. I've read different things about temp ranges for mixed coral tanks and I can't really afford a chiller at the moment.

Does anyone have any suggestions on temp ranges or how to stabilize?

I have a drilled 40 breeder with a 20g sump, I run a 250w se MH and have three fans in the hood, two 80mm intake and a 120mm exhaust that move a lot of warm air out. There is also a pretty fair amount of open space in the back of the hood for air flow. The halide is about 6-7 inches from the water and I have two 96w PC actinics as well.

No corals or fish yet even though the tank is cycled... wanted to stabilize everything for awhile first

I'm running about 1500g/h of water flow between tunze ph's and mag 5 return.

Thanks
Randy

 

[nctommy]

I usually keep my about 78. To stablize the temp I purchased a ranco dual stage temp controller for $130. It turns on fans or heater whichever is needed. Mine keeps temp within about .5 degrees. As far as fans what size do you have?

 

[Nano Chris]

Try lowering your heater temperature to 78F so when your mh's are on they don't get over 80 thats what i did, i used to have it at 80F and it would get up to 84F that was bad. Or invest in a fan or chiller/temperature controller.

 

[crumbletop]

You need to add some fans, pronto. When summer hits, you'll have some big issues with temp control if you are already hitting 84.5.

Vantec Stealths are really quiet. You can hook multiple fans to a single AC adapter.

Fans:
http://www.outpost.com/product/3639235

Adapter:
http://www.outpost.com/product/4011642

 

[eeorrandy]

Thanks for the respnses guys.. I think I may have to add a couple more large fans to the arrangement.. The controller looked like a good idea as well... .5 degrees with fans? that's pretty decent.

 

[bnhd3]

get a little fan to blow across the surface of your sump. this could help a bit.