keeping cool on hot days...

[csliballen]

Hey, does anyone out there have info on keeping a 35 gal tank cool when its hot out. My tank shot up to 84 yesterday and I'm a little concerned about the looming summer temps.

CA

 

[bc_slc]

Fans in the canopy, fans in the sump or chiller. If you currently don't have any fans in the tank they can make a big difference, but if you do, and are still having temp problems then you may need to decrease the duration of your lighting, or step up to a chiller. Fortunately, chillers for a smaller tank such as yours, are less expensive than the larger ones. You could get away with a 1/10 hp chiller.

 

[lizardarm]

you can go buy a clip-on style fan for five or six dollars and attatch it to the top lip of your tank. have it blowing across the water. this is usually good for a couple of degrees drop, but it also increases the evaporation rate of the water.
the alternative is to purchase a chiller. this is much more effective, but also much more expensive.

 

[szidls]

Use a fan and blow it across open tank top or into your sump if you have one. 6" clip fans work well. This will increase evaporation and cool temp. Watch salinity levels and keep your top off water at proper levels.
HTH, Scott

 

[Haole]

Yep, I agree. Fans are probably all you’re gonna need for this size of a tank.
Just be prepared for an increase in evaporation.

 

[wrightme43]

I use a fan. Beware, they do sometimes fail. I had one fail the bearings and heat up enough that I smelled burning plastic. I have decided to replace mine yearly. HTH Steve

 

[bradreef]

fan and chiller were my answer the other day and I was cutting it close. I think the best way is keeping the room cool with AC and then a fan to keep it stable.

 

[coralseas]

its cheaper to buy an ac,than a chiller, and put in you window near your tank ,keep your tank cool and u too
im saveing up for a huge one to try to keep cooler this summer

 

[bradreef]

for small rooms they can be as cheap as $100 at walmart for ac. remember when you have a chiller you should plumb it outside because it puts out hot air to cool the water so the room gets hotter and hotter.

 

[lizardarm]

after sitting on it since december, i finally put my chiller on line a couple of days ago. the temp hasn't budged from 79 degrees, and it's been unusually warm in wester wa.
you are right though brad, the chiller is really pumping out some hot air; enough so that i can feel it get warmer in the room after it's been "on" for a few minutes.
the idea of getting an ac for the room had occured to me after the fact and would probably have been a better idea (especially considering that the window that it would go in is directly behind the aquarium)

 

[bradreef]

the sunday paper lowes add has some great deal. They have small 5000 btu units for $85 to a 18000 btu unit for $330. Teh 18000 could do a good section of a house. maybe 1000 sq feet.