Keeping a tank cool

Booboo33062 · 08-14-2006, 04:42 PM

Well we started the CLS, then later the next day my husband noticed the tank was 86 degrees at least. I don't know how acurate the thermometers are that stick to the outside of the tank are. I can't afford to get a chiller now. I have been putting bags of frozen RO/DI water in. I have a fan blowing on the sump, and a bigger fan blowing straight at the tank canopy that is propped open a little.

Wiskey · 08-14-2006, 04:58 PM

Point the fans straight at the water, so it ripples the surface, this will help keep the tank cooler.

Whiskey

Booboo33062 · 08-14-2006, 07:01 PM

I don't know if I can get them that high, but I'll give it a try.

110galreef · 08-14-2006, 07:15 PM

They make great 1/10 HP chiller's for under $300 shipped! Not sure if that is in the budget or not...many people beilive all chillers are ~ $700-$800 or more!

Also you can try to cut back on MH time

tiburon · 08-14-2006, 08:01 PM

also - freezing smallish plastic water bottles (full) and floating them in the sump can work well.. just make sure they're clean

seshapir · 08-14-2006, 08:30 PM

Our AC went out last week for a couple of days. I started freaking out cuz the temp in the tank was shooting up. I took our big fan opened the cabinet doors and blasted it into the sump. It worked really well to keep the tank cool.

fdokinawa · 08-14-2006, 09:16 PM

if when you do get a chiller, make sure that its not to small for your tank... mine just craped out on me because it was running almost 24/7 due to the extreme heat here.

110galreef · 08-14-2006, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdokinawa

if when you do get a chiller, make sure that its not to small for your tank... mine just craped out on me because it was running almost 24/7 due to the extreme heat here.

I have run the 1/10 on my 110 gallon tank w/o problems. But the tank is in an AC controlled buiding ~ 77* day and 75 night! I have seen the 1/10 on tanks as large as 200gallons and work fine! So yes be sure to keep the tank temp pull down into effect. But if your tank is in AC the 1/10 would work fine. 1/4 couldn't hurt but more $$$$

My 1/10 hp chiller kicks on when tank hits 80* for about 15-20 minutes to pull it back to 78* every ~90 minutes during the day and a lot less in the evening when the room is cooler and the lights are off! In the winter it hardly ever runs as the room is about 68*

I have 2 250 W MH's about 5" off the water surface in a canopy, CLS and two pumps submersed in the sump as well. So I have a lot of heat added to the tank!

fdokinawa · 08-14-2006, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

I have run the 1/10 on my 110 gallon tank w/o problems. But the tank is in an AC controlled buiding ~ 77* day and 75 night! I have seen the 1/10 on tanks as large as 200gallons and work fine! So yes be sure to keep the tank temp pull down into effect. But if your tank is in AC the 1/10 would work fine. 1/4 couldn't hurt but more $$$$

My 1/10 hp chiller kicks on when tank hits 80* for about 15-20 minutes to pull it back to 78* every ~90 minutes during the day and a lot less in the evening when the room is cooler and the lights are off! In the winter it hardly ever runs as the room is about 68*

I have 2 250 W MH's about 5" off the water surface in a canopy, CLS and two pumps submersed in the sump as well. So I have a lot of heat added to the tank!

I have a 55 gal running 6x39W T5's, two submersed pumps, and an exteral pump for closed loop (heats up bad) with no external A/C and living on a tropical island that easily reaches 95+ deg every day with over 100% humidity. I've shortened my lighting times and have a fan blowing on my sump and im still sitting at around 87-88 deg all day. I'm not sure what hp my chiller is but I know im going to have to go with a 1/6hp or bigger..

110galreef · 08-14-2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdokinawa

I have a 55 gal running 6x39W T5's, two submersed pumps, and an exteral pump for closed loop (heats up bad) with no external A/C and living on a tropical island that easily reaches 95+ deg every day with over 100% humidity. I've shortened my lighting times and have a fan blowing on my sump and im still sitting at around 87-88 deg all day. I'm not sure what hp my chiller is but I know im going to have to go with a 1/6hp or bigger..

You will need a big one!

You are on the far end of HEAT Added to the tank extreme!

tashier · 08-15-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 110galreef

They make great 1/10 HP chiller's for under $300 shipped! Not sure if that is in the budget or not...many people beilive all chillers are ~ $700-$800 or more!

Also you can try to cut back on MH time

I know many people say the 1/10th will work but I don't think it would cut it on a 150.

110galreef · 08-15-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tashier

I know many people say the 1/10th will work but I don't think it would cut it on a 150.

It all depends on the heat being added to the tank! The 1/10hp may be pushing it but can work depending on ambient air temp, sumbmersed pumps, and lighting

Casey I am almost positive uses a 1/10 hp one his 200 gallon w/o issues.

The 1/10 has worked great on my 110 gallons and I have a lot of heat added to the system especially w/ 500w's of MH and 220 w VHO's in a canopy only 5" off the water

tashier · 08-15-2006, 12:27 PM

The 1/10th may work when all the conditions are right, AC is on, wintertime, etc. But I like to be able to go on vacation during the summer without leaving the AC on all week or weekend just for the tank. With a 1/4hp on my 120 I know it can handle it fine. I know people with 1/10th chillers that barely keep up on good days.