82 degree tank. How warm is too warm?

[mckinney0171]

Started up a BioCube 29 and long story short, I can’t get the dang thing to cool down below 82 degrees. And I have two more ideas that I am going to try but if I cannot lower the tanks temperature is it going to be too hot for fish and coral? Wanting to set up a mixed reef tank with fish.

I run my tank at 82. No issues.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Started up a BioCube 29 and long story short, I can’t get the dang thing to cool down below 82 degrees. And I have two more ideas that I am going to try but if I cannot lower the tanks temperature is it going to be too hot for fish and coral? Wanting to set up a mixed reef tank with fish.

As temperature increases, dissolved oxygen decreases and increases the metabolism of fish as well as contributing to algae blooms in some cases. This would be the max allowable for me on temperature.
You can safely cool tank down if needed by filling 4 ziplock bags with water and freeze them. Place one in the sump until ice has melted. Take out another and place thawed one back in freezer and repeat as necessary

 

[Doctorgori]

I should have added: heck I had to run my tanks at 82F out west; MH bulbs and elec bill besides...the house felt cold walking in from 112F outdoors
...anyway the thing with warm temps above 83F , all it takes is one big dead mushy invert.....the ole tank fast death spiral...

 

[Celestion]

Yup pro coral farmers don't go over 79

 

[3000kelvin]

I clipped two small pieces of 1/2” tubing and used them as hood props. That got my temp down to 75.4. I think at this point I’m going to get something more stiff at Home Depot like rigid tubing and use that to prop the hood up for air. Will also supplement with some sort of screen over the top or around the gap to prevent future residents from jumping to their death.

 

[Dom]

Meow meow splash... Maybe an acrylic vented hood would help.

Does the OP even have a cat? Then a piece of egg crate cut to fit can be used.

 

[3000kelvin]

Does the OP even have a cat? Then a piece of egg crate cut to fit can be used.

Yes. Miles Davis is his name.

No egg crate for me. Would rather not diffuse the light.

 

[3000kelvin]

For what it’s worth, I had a similar issue with my RSM 130D, also hooded. I was able to reduce temp switching the factory AC pump (35watts) to a DC pump.

Well, I think my pump was the culprit.

I ordered a variable return pump from Amazon because I wanted to reduce the return pump's flow a bit. I didn't think there was any issue with the stock pump. I swapped pumps last night and propped my hood open to cool the tank overnight. Today, I ran the lights, kept the hood closed, reinstalled my heater set for 79 and when I came home, the tank was holding steady at 80.2 degrees.

 

[stoney7713]

Well, I think my pump was the culprit.

I ordered a variable return pump from Amazon because I wanted to reduce the return pump's flow a bit. I didn't think there was any issue with the stock pump. I swapped pumps last night and propped my hood open to cool the tank overnight. Today, I ran the lights, kept the hood closed, reinstalled my heater set for 79 and when I came home, the tank was holding steady at 80.2 degrees.

Glad to hear that. I will never run an AC return pump again. The ability to dial in the flow without ball valves, less heat, and less energy are great!

 

[sandybottom]

Well, I think my pump was the culprit.

I ordered a variable return pump from Amazon because I wanted to reduce the return pump's flow a bit. I didn't think there was any issue with the stock pump. I swapped pumps last night and propped my hood open to cool the tank overnight. Today, I ran the lights, kept the hood closed, reinstalled my heater set for 79 and when I came home, the tank was holding steady at 80.2 degrees.

Awesome, glad you found it!. I also totally get the need for a hood which is what drove my search for the cause/s