Log in

View Full Version : Cooling my tank...


Michael Lawford
September 15th 05, 08:55 AM
Hi all,

I need some advice on how to cool my tank. It is getting up to 27/28
degrees C and my corals are hating me for it. I need to come down to 25
degrees C but HOW? Buying a chiller would be an option but they are hellish
expensive here - about US$ 850. I tried taking my coiver glass off but
promptly blew one of my ballasts that drive the T5 lights because of salt
evaporation.

Any advice on any ways to get the tank 1 or 2 degrees cooler would be much
appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

DrC
September 15th 05, 02:20 PM
I'm not an expert but 27/28 isn't too hot (IMO), mine sits at between
28 and 30 depending on the time of day with no ill effects.

Are you able to cut / move your cover glass so that some of the tank's
area is exposed without lights, ballsts etc getting wet? Even if only
a small area was exposed, if a fan could be directed at that area, I
think you would be impressed with the cooling it provided.

David

PS Salt doesn't evaporate, only water ;-)

kim gross
September 15th 05, 08:35 PM
Michael Lawford wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I need some advice on how to cool my tank. It is getting up to 27/28
> degrees C and my corals are hating me for it. I need to come down to 25
> degrees C but HOW? Buying a chiller would be an option but they are hellish
> expensive here - about US$ 850. I tried taking my coiver glass off but
> promptly blew one of my ballasts that drive the T5 lights because of salt
> evaporation.
>
> Any advice on any ways to get the tank 1 or 2 degrees cooler would be much
> appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Mike
>
>
A couple of fans setup to blow acrost the waters surface will cool it
down a few degrees.

Kim

www.jensalt.com

Michael Lawford
September 16th 05, 08:12 AM
Great thanks. Any ideas which ones to use and how to power them?

~m

"kim gross" > wrote in message
...
> Michael Lawford wrote:
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I need some advice on how to cool my tank. It is getting up to 27/28
>> degrees C and my corals are hating me for it. I need to come down to 25
>> degrees C but HOW? Buying a chiller would be an option but they are
>> hellish expensive here - about US$ 850. I tried taking my coiver glass
>> off but promptly blew one of my ballasts that drive the T5 lights because
>> of salt evaporation.
>>
>> Any advice on any ways to get the tank 1 or 2 degrees cooler would be
>> much appreciated.
>> Thanks,
>> Mike
> A couple of fans setup to blow acrost the waters surface will cool it down
> a few degrees.
>
> Kim
>
> www.jensalt.com

kim gross
September 19th 05, 03:25 AM
The simplest setup would be a couple of small 5 or 6 inch fans from your
local department store, the best way would be a couple of 5 inch muffin
fans mounted in your hood, You can get the fans from a computer supply
house which will need a 12 volt supply, or you can get them as 110 volt
from a place like radio shack. For the short turn just go to the
hardware store and get a fan you place that will blow on the waters surface.

Kim





Michael Lawford wrote:
> Great thanks. Any ideas which ones to use and how to power them?
>
> ~m
>
> "kim gross" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Michael Lawford wrote:
>>
>>>Hi all,
>>>
>>>I need some advice on how to cool my tank. It is getting up to 27/28
>>>degrees C and my corals are hating me for it. I need to come down to 25
>>>degrees C but HOW? Buying a chiller would be an option but they are
>>>hellish expensive here - about US$ 850. I tried taking my coiver glass
>>>off but promptly blew one of my ballasts that drive the T5 lights because
>>>of salt evaporation.
>>>
>>>Any advice on any ways to get the tank 1 or 2 degrees cooler would be
>>>much appreciated.
>>>Thanks,
>>>Mike
>>
>>A couple of fans setup to blow acrost the waters surface will cool it down
>>a few degrees.
>>
>>Kim
>>
>>www.jensalt.com
>
>
>

wxtbs
September 20th 05, 08:00 PM
I used 2 5" clip on fans, one under the hood and one blowing over the
sump. They are very cheap and do a great job. You do need to keep a
closer eye on your water level if you do not have an auto top off
system because you will see a lot more evaporation.

Ken


Michael Lawford wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I need some advice on how to cool my tank. It is getting up to 27/28
> degrees C and my corals are hating me for it. I need to come down to 25
> degrees C but HOW? Buying a chiller would be an option but they are hellish
> expensive here - about US$ 850. I tried taking my coiver glass off but
> promptly blew one of my ballasts that drive the T5 lights because of salt
> evaporation.
>
> Any advice on any ways to get the tank 1 or 2 degrees cooler would be much
> appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Mike