Hi tank temp.

[alancolinet]

Hey everyone, hope things are going well. I have a question regarding maintaining a lower tank temperature. I usually run my tank at around 80 F but recently I have noticed that the temperature has been soaring to around 84-85 degrees and only cools down at night to around 80 F . I want the temerature to be at 76-79 F but the only solution I have encountered is to get a chiller and...well....they are REALLY FREAKIN' EXPENSIVE. So, I was hoping that someone could suggest an alternative to this money trap chiller idea. I know that I could change my light scheduling and that might help. Right now I am running 96 watt actinic PC from 0800 to 2000, and I am running 96 watt 10K PC from 1000 to 1800. I also know that I could try to figure out how to install a fan to blow over the water but I don't really know how I can accomplish that w/ out a hood since I have a strip light and glass cover. My 10 gallon sump is open aired and receives a lot of surface agitation so I could try there I guess.....any suggestions would be welcome.

[Don Berry]

One of your biggest problems is your glass cover on your tank. They are really not good for reef tanks for a couple of reason. 1) The reduce the intensity of your lighting 2) They make for poor gas exchange 3) They are causing your tank to heat up some much. If you can't afford to do something different right now the best alternative is to blow fans on your sump. I have one small fan on my sump and one blowing across the waters surface. I am able to keep my tank between 79-81 with 2x250w DE MH's 7" from the waters surface. You would be suprised how much a small fan can keep your temp down.

[Larry Waughon]

I agree you need to take off the glass cover. You can buy a cheap clip on fan and blow across the water surface with great results.

[tranz]

Yeah take out your glass cover....i use computer fans to cool my water. some people use clip on fans in there sump to cool the water

[ziac]

yes i got a squirl cage fan from walmart made by lasco $ 13.00 it works great on my sump put a fan down there i put a small reg fan on my lights by settting it on top of my over flow box now my tank runs cooler than room temp and have to turn my fans off to keep it from getting to cold remove the top and try it you willl probily be fine

[re's 4 me]

Can anyone suggest where to get the clip on fans? I've been looking for a couple of weeks now, HD, Lowes, Dollar store, local department stores, even Wally world, I can't seem to find them anywhere. I know they exist.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[hskim]

You can always buy them online, do a search. Here is one at amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006IBH4/sz-kitchen-20/ref%3Dnosim/103-5478533-2708665

[re's 4 me]

Thanks,

I already did. These are the best prices I found if anyone's interested.

$6.96: http://www.shoplet.com/office/db/g2513308.html

$8.99: http://www.business-supply.com/office_supplies_2513308_atlantic-breeze-6-clip-on-fan.html

$9.99: http://www.air-conditioner-store.com/personal_fan_6_clp.html

[alancolinet]

So, if I take the glass cover off then I am going to have ot wory about more evaporation.....no only that but I have a snowflake eel.....so I need something there anyway...perhaps not glass

[alancolinet]

I also have strip lights w/ sorta a plastic shield over them, I always thought that it was better to get a glass cover w/ salt creep on that then to have the salt creep on the shielded lights. But hey, tell me what you think. Also, I really do need that top covered bc of the eel. I am going to put a fan blowing on the sump...but what does eveyone recommend about the top???

[alancolinet]

I suppose I could always get a hood but I don't know if they make hoods for bow front tanks.....it would look kinda weird I think

[hawkfan]

I have the ice cap fans that speed up as the temp goes up real neat. They have been working for years with no problems.

[dannynguyen3573]

I do have the same problem. my reef tank is 180G and I run 3 MH light (7Hrs) for each, 2 anticnic blue (48"). My above the water about 10 inch. I run four 31/2 inch fan to blow cross canopy and 1one 4" fan blow direc to the sum but my temp still got about 80F w/o light and 82F with light. Please help...

[dannynguyen3573]

any one please...help

[Jon Lazar]

Cut a piece of lighting diffuser, or eggcrate, to fit over the top of your tank. This will keep the critters in while allowing improved gas exchange and increased evaporation from your fan.

Jon