chiller required with metal halides?

[supermarvin76]

Will metal halides heat up my tank so much that I mush use a chiller?
Any tips to avoid this costly item?

 

[maxamillion]

Not necessary, depending on the way your tank is set up and how hot your house is or can get. I have 2 250w MH lamps and my heater will still kick in. (I live in WI, and my tank is in the basement).

HTH,
Max

 

[Salttanker]

I have 2 250 MH and a 4x65w Coralife and no chiller. I just have two fans in the canopy to keep things cool. It only changes about 2 degrees during the day. If your tank is in the basement, you shouldn't have any problems with the heat.

Mike

 

[gooyferret]

I have 3 250watt MH on my tank i dont have a problem at all with heat in my tank. Maybe a degree or two difference in the temp during the day thats all. I do have 2 fans on while the lights are on also to cool it down.

 

[Brad]

My 175W pendant heated my 40 gallon Hex up significantly. It isn't normally a problem, but when the room temperature also gets hot, I need a fan directed at the sump water surface just to hold temperature within tolerance.

No point in attempting to cool the light itself.

 

[kek]

I have 3x250 MH lights on a 100 gal tank and I DO have a problem with temp control, which is increasing each day as the ambient temperature warms up in my house facing SW. I have two fans on top and one on the refugium. I am advised to get a chiller, but it seems there must be a better way. So back to the original question, how do you cool down a tank without a chiller?

 

[fishfreek]

If the ambient temperature in the room is somewhat warm or your ventalation is low in the hood you may need to seek extra cooling via a fan blowing out of the canopy or blowing directly over the sump or tank. This will increase evaporation and thus cool the tank. If you need to drop 5* or more than a chiller might be required if you cant adjust other enviormental conditions like the room temperature.

Try to maintan the tank temp no higher than 82.

 

[SeriousDude5]

I found for now just blowing a fan under the light is the cheapest way it does look a little bet werid but it does the job. Also to make it look more presentable they sell clip on fans on eBay.