Cooling the tank question

[runway1]

I have a 55 gal with duel 175 MH lights and I can see a temp problem this summer. Currently, on warmer days, the water temp has approached 83°.

I won't be getting a chiller. Just too much money and far too much space. I have two fans (30 cfm, max, each) and they seem to help but not much. I wish there was a "cooling coil" that I could just drop in the sump that would cool the water as it flowed under the tank prior to returning.

What does everybody else do to maintain there temp? Ideas are much appreciated. Maybe bigger, more cfm fans?

 

[Gatorfreak]

I mounted an 8" desktop fan to the back of my hood, blowing diagonally across the water and lights. The little PC fans don't do much (I have two of those mounted in the top of the hood). The desktop fan is real quiet and does the job well.

I don't know how old your lights are, but I recently replaced some pretty old bulbs and noticed that they didn't heat up the hood as much.

 

[Clown Monarch]

I wish there was a "cooling coil" that I could just drop in the sump that would cool the water as it flowed under the tank prior to returning.

You mean like a dehumidifier has? I'll bet you could make one work.

 

[MT79]

a 55 gal with duel 175 MH lights and I can see a temp problem this summer

Try unplugging your heater(s) while your lights are on. I have a 55 w/ 250's no sump, and that worked for me. I put them on timers. I went from 86+ degrees down to 83. YMMV....

 

[Ximat]

This is a pretty penny, but its a drop in chiller.


http://www.thatpetplace.com/Products/KW/chiller/Class//T1/F10+0034+0002/EDP/18115/Itemdy00.aspx

 

[runway1]

Holy Toledo, Ximat! That's exactly wha I was looking for!! Too bad it's about the $640.

 

[runway1]

All: How about this puppy?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20758&item=4370819590&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

[klam]

Desktop fan like suggested, blowing across the water surface will help.