Things are heating up in my tank (86degrees!)

[montanabay]

So my tank hit 86 degrees yesterday, its a Nanocube 24, stock lighting, but upgraded to a maxijet 1200 powerhead and a AquaClear 70 pump (over winter so I never had a heat issue) these are the reason for the heat up. Any suggestions for keeping it cool? I turned off one of the pumps for now to get me out of the danger zone.

Will fan upgrades help that much? Or a better heat shield?

Thanks,

Josh

 

[650-IS350]

I've read different nano forums before of MJ1200s causing a lot of heat in NANO's. why don't you just get a 1/10 or so chiller... ?

 

[mobert]

fans help a lot but you have to have an automatic top off.

 

[sfsuphysics]

So my tank hit 86 degrees yesterday, its a Nanocube 24, stock lighting, but upgraded to a maxijet 1200 powerhead and a AquaClear 70 pump (over winter so I never had a heat issue) these are the reason for the heat up.

Not meaning to second guess your ideas, but isn't the reason for the heat up the fact that it was quite warm yesterday in the bay? Sure the pumps didn't help, but once the ambient gets above tank temp, evaporation is the only way to cool a tank (outside of a chiller that is) since they can't lose heat to the environement directly

 

[Elite]

Raise your hood a bit and get these ..

 

[kevin95695]

Fans. Definitely fans. Need more fans. I'm an excellent fanner.

Also, trade your MJ1200 down to a MJ900. I hear the RPM output and flow are nearly the same, but wattage is way down from 20w to 8.5w -- Which might help your heat problem.

 

[Elite]

Tunze 6025 would be a much better choice for nano

 

[Unarce]

Not sure how you're utilizing the new Aquaclear and MJ1200, but you could consider going to 3 MJ900's.

Just from the two new pumps you mentioned, you have the following:

AC 70 & MJ1200 = 695 gph at 40 watts

If you get 3 MJ900's:

MJ900 x 3 = 690 gph at 25.5 watts

You can use one for the return, and have the other two for circulation. Throw in a used Natural Wave, and you have some great wave action with even less energy consumption and heat.

That's what I'd do

 

[jan_dman]

fans will help cool it down but your evaporation rate will go up
try lighting your tank at night during the heat season

 

[650-IS350]

I've changed my lighting to turn on @ 4pm.. less chance of tank heating up duing mid day heat..

Have you looking into korialis, heard less heat and less energy used... planning to get 2 #4 myself

 

[montanabay]

thanks for all the ideas!

Hmmm, choices, choices, choices......MJ900s might be the way to go. Chiller would be the best, but I can't afford dropping $200, I've cut myself off! Two-three 900 should only cost me $30-45. I already switched my timer over to evening-night lighting. With a big fan boost evaporation shouldn't exceed me toping off manually once a day, right? I really can't do anymore gadgets like a auto-topoff etc, running out of room, money, and time!

PS: Whats the hottest that a reef tank full of softies can tolerate for any given time?

Thanks,

Josh

 

[clayspst]

i had the same heat issues just have a fan run over the tank at all times if you have any questions pm me

 

[Natterjak]

My old tank, which was predominantly softies, used to get up to 85 (I think it hit 86 once or twice too) in the summer, and they seemed to do okay.

 

[Unarce]

Originally posted by montanabay
PS: Whats the hottest that a reef tank full of softies can tolerate for any given time?

Thanks,

Josh

You can easily push 90 with softies and some LPS, but you might lose some color. Good luck with the MJ900's. They should make a considerable difference, especially on a wave maker.

Worse comes to worse, you can always buy a $10 oscillating fan at Walgreens, and point it towards the tank. Always worked for me during the hot San Jose summers

 

[650-IS350]

I've seen people go up to high 80's but I wouldn't recommed it nor what that to happen.

Figure if you spent money on getting auto-top off and new PH's , you might as well bite the bullet and just keep your current set up and get a nice tiny chiller.

Heres one for $209 . its for a 20 gal but you can still use it ..

http://www.northcoastmarines.com/chillers.htm

 

[montanabay]

yeah, cheapo desk fan is in the works too. How do fish do in 86+ degree water? I have a blenny and two true percs (percs are still in QT which stays at 78 with only an airpump and no lights).

Thanks,

Josh

 

[650-IS350]

That's a good question, cause from some areas where those fish come from, the weater could be a real baking situation... dont know how the water temp maxes out at nor for how long....

 

[CookieJar]

My semi-crash saw my tank reach 99F, the zoas, GSP, trumpet coral and button polyps made it. frogspawn, hammer & finger leather died.
Just don't try that hot yourself! :eek2:

remember there's always the option of adding a frozen bottle of water.

 

[650-IS350]

Oh yeah, that s a trick a lot of LFS use too... just clean off the 2 liter bottles ( In your case 1 liter ) of the label, freeze water in it. Drop it in your tank till water gets cool enough for your liking.

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9465701#post9465701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delsol650
Oh yeah, that s a trick a lot of LFS use too... just clean off the 2 liter bottles ( In your case 1 liter ) of the label, freeze water in it. Drop it in your tank till water gets cool enough for your liking.

Yup I did that b4. lol