how to lower temp

baldomero · #1 12/15/2007, 06:10 PM

anybody have a solution on how i can lower my tanks temp a little?thing is i cant afford a chiller those things r so expensive and my 90 gallon fowlr tank is getting just a little warm 83 degrees.

Bohldog05 · #2 12/15/2007, 06:16 PM

use a fan.....

JohnF · #3 12/15/2007, 06:23 PM

Yes, use a fan to blow across the surface of the water. It will work pretty good for a couple of degrees. You will need to top off more often as the fan will evaporate the water.

tspors · #4 12/15/2007, 07:23 PM

My temp on my 150g was pushing near 85. I bought a desk fan for $11.00. Faced it into the sump. Dropped the temp 5+ degrees. Be prepared to add water from evap dailey! Or if you have a basement move your stuff down below. I did that removed the fan and sit between 77-80.

Brandon M · #5 12/15/2007, 07:26 PM

steven_dean17 · #6 12/15/2007, 07:33 PM

Fans are cheap and they work really well. And you can always use them to cool your wife down when you spend too much on your tank.

baldomero · #7 12/15/2007, 09:40 PM

i have a glass canopy what do i do open the front lids and let the air in or put it on the back opening of the tank?

radone · #8 12/15/2007, 09:42 PM

Get rid of the tops

baldomero · #9 12/15/2007, 09:43 PM

rad and put what?

baldomero · #10 12/15/2007, 09:44 PM

what can i use that wont break my pockets

demonsp · #11 12/15/2007, 09:49 PM

I fill a plastic bottle with water and freeze it. It does help. But some airmovement also helps.

baldomero · #12 12/15/2007, 09:52 PM

after you freeze it do you let it float in the water

demonsp · #13 12/15/2007, 09:57 PM

Yes.I use a 1 gallon tea bottle for my 75 gallon.

baldomero · #14 12/15/2007, 09:58 PM

do you put it in- in the morning till it melts or what?

demonsp · #15 12/15/2007, 10:02 PM

Yea , melt during the day freeze at night.

steven_dean17 · #16 12/15/2007, 10:06 PM

Open the top up and let it breath. Gas exchanges between water and air is always good. The top keeps a warm air pocket between water surface and the surounding area not allowing enough heat to escape. A fan will work very well with both heat and gas exchange. I don't know if I would like the frozen water bottle idea. I'm sure it works, but IMO it seems like it would be just another thing to have to hassle with. A fan you just plug in and forget it, you don't have to redo it when it thaws everyother day or so.

baldomero · #17 12/15/2007, 10:06 PM

thats a good idea thanks demon sp

baldomero · #18 12/15/2007, 10:07 PM

steven thats true but you gotta admit the bottle is a good idea

steven_dean17 · #19 12/15/2007, 10:15 PM

I'm sure it works. I just would rather not have to keep messing with it, but hey there are plenty of people that like to do daily water changes too and I wouldn't want to do that either.

demonsp · #20 12/15/2007, 10:17 PM

I would only consider this a fix and not a cure. IT will help but isnt the way to go. MB lights to close? Do you have tank covered? Return pumps can also increase the temp. It would be best to control the problem but this will hold you over.

baldomero · #21 12/15/2007, 10:18 PM

thats true i guess everybody does something different right.

baldomero · #22 12/15/2007, 10:20 PM

yeah my hood is about 2 inches from the water.

demonsp · #23 12/15/2007, 10:23 PM

Only 2 inches. Is this a FO or a FOWLR or a Reef?
What type of light?
Do you have coral?

baldomero · #24 12/15/2007, 10:27 PM

fowlr and i have a glass canopy with 2- 24 inch bulbs on back and 2- 24 inch bulbs in front

demonsp · #25 12/15/2007, 10:35 PM

So no coral. Then i would raise this light up as fish dont need light for living. This will help and may even cure your main problem. Lights are very important to most coral and no fish i know of. But i good set of lights (not so close to the surface) can bring out nice colors in the fish.