Tank too hot!

bonesmj72 · #1 05/09/2007, 01:21 PM

I have a 90gal glass tank that I recently set up. Originally I had the water temp set to 82, but after reading I turned the heater down to 77. Only problem is the tank is still at 84 degrees. I have not turned the lights on since 3pm yesterday as I am trying to see if that is the cause. It is 85-95 degrees where I live. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to keep the tank cool without buying a chiller? Thanks in advance.

Mark Jackson
Fairfield, CA

gtrestoration · #2 05/09/2007, 01:32 PM

Fans in the canopy and over the sump.

I'd double check that any heaters aren't still runnning. Also heat produced by some pumps can be substantial.

SteveU

luke33 · #3 05/09/2007, 01:47 PM

What equipment are you using pump wise. And your heater could have a malfunction as well. Unplug your heater.

bonesmj72 · #4 05/09/2007, 02:30 PM

Thanks for the reply's I uplugged the heater yesterday. I am using 2 Maxi-Jet Powerheads Pump Model 1200 and 2 Power Sweep 212 Powerheads. Any suggestions?

Rick00 · #5 05/09/2007, 02:34 PM

Turn on your air conditioning..If you have it...

bonesmj72 · #6 05/09/2007, 02:38 PM

I can't my house is old and does not have dual pane windows. My electric bill would sky rocket.

thatguy · #7 05/09/2007, 02:50 PM

What's on top of your tank? Just the hood? Glass tops?

Rick00 · #8 05/09/2007, 02:52 PM

buy some clip on fans and have them blow across your tank..Also, freeze some water in some 2 liter coke bottles and float them in your tank.. Replace them when needed...

Rick

Rick00 · #9 05/09/2007, 02:59 PM

while your wating for the coke bottles to freeze..place some ice cubes in a zip lock freezer bags and place them in the tank or sump.. But make sure they don't leak...

good luck

69vette · #10 05/09/2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick00
while your wating for the coke bottles to freeze..place some ice cubes in a zip lock freezer bags and place them in the tank or sump.. But make sure they don't leak...

good luck

Cooling it down too fast is worse than it being too hot.

BTW, 84* isn't going to hurt anything.

luke33 · #11 05/09/2007, 03:44 PM

Yea, 84 you should be ok, if you start to aproach 90, i'd be very worried. You can get some cheap clip ons at most hardware stores and they will pry lower your temp a few degreez, but you will have more evaporation so make sure you have some tap off water available.

scengineer · #12 05/09/2007, 03:46 PM

A 6" fan blowing over my open topped 90 cooled it down from 83-84 to 79. Make sure you have enough make up water to deal with the evaporation.

H2oH2o · #13 05/09/2007, 05:11 PM

Ive heard of this before, but never seen how it was made. An AC Unit from home depot (CHEAP WINDOWSHAKER KIND) for around $100. That has been converted into a chiller. Has anyone ever seen this or heard ofthis before?

bonesmj72 · #14 05/10/2007, 01:35 PM

Thanks for all the info and suggestions. Believe it or not, I prayed that God would cool down my tank and when I woke up this morning it was at 80 degree's. Praise the Lord!

FlipFlops24/7 · #15 05/10/2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bonesmj72
Thanks for all the info and suggestions. Believe it or not, I prayed that God would cool down my tank and when I woke up this morning it was at 80 degree's. Praise the Lord!

Thats awesome. I'm going to pray to God that when I wake up, my 40 gallon tank is now the Pacific Ocean and I'm living in Hawaii instead of Wisconsin! Maybe God loves RC'ers?

jacmyoung · #16 05/10/2007, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bonesmj72
Thanks for all the info and suggestions. Believe it or not, I prayed that God would cool down my tank and when I woke up this morning it was at 80 degree's. Praise the Lord!

Ten years in this hobby hadn't learned how temp works in the tank, maybe your right only the Good Lord can save you

dhnguyen · #17 05/10/2007, 06:14 PM

1. Get rid of the Power Sweep 212 Powerheads those things put out A LOT of heat. There are better ways to get flow IMO.

2. Mod 2 of your MJs into stream pumps instead.

Fairfield has been rather warm lately from what I was told (I used to live in Suisun until last August) You can add a fan to help with heat also.

D.

Icefire · #18 05/10/2007, 07:55 PM

Power Sweep 212 Powerheads are only 9watts
Not bad heat wise vs mj1200 @ 20watts

dhnguyen · #19 05/10/2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Icefire
Power Sweep 212 Powerheads are only 9watts
Not bad heat wise vs mj1200 @ 20watts

So the label says.. Ever touched the PowerSweep's casing after it's been running for a while? It's pretty frigging warm even when submersed under water.