cooling off a tank

bubbleclown · Aug 17, 2019

Hey everyone! I am new to the saltwater hobby and I just got a new saltwater tank 2 and a half months ago. The tank is a coralife biocube 32 gallon and its been doing pretty well, I cycled the tank for 1 and a half months and i have 4 fish inside. all my parameters are stable except for the temperature. I have my heater on 25 degree Celsius (77 degree Fahrenheit) but it is always exceeding the temperature. My thermometer is reading 27 to 29 degree Celsius (80 to 80 degree Fahrenheit) and it isn't the heaters fault because it's always turned off and i am thinking it could be the tank design. The tank has a hood that covers the top off the tank not letting any of the evaporated water from coming out and the lights are really close to the water. Would you suggest getting another light that hangs from the back to let the evaporated water from coming out or do you have any other solutions? I am planning to get corals in the future and the lights included with the tank is pretty weak so i will upgrade in the future but i need to save up some money first. Thank you for your help.

Billdogg · Aug 17, 2019

I would suggest removing the solid top and replacing it with one that will allow for better air exchange. Many of us use a DIY top made from 1/4" mesh (available from BRS) and aluminum window screen frame from HD/Lowes. They are very easy to make and very effective at preventing jumpers. Others use eggcrate (lighting diffuser panels) cut to fit but I have found that the ~1/2" openings seem to invite fish to attempt to jump through.

If heat is still a problem, a simple fan blowing across the surface is often more than enough.

FWIW - 80 is not too high - it is more important that the temperature be stable than it be a specific number. (within reason)

jsker · Aug 17, 2019

Billdogg said:
I would suggest removing the solid top and replacing it with one that will allow for better air exchange. Many of us use a DIY top made from 1/4" mesh (available from BRS) and aluminum window screen frame from HD/Lowes. They are very easy to make and very effective at preventing jumpers. Others use eggcrate (lighting diffuser panels) cut to fit but I have found that the ~1/2" openings seem to invite fish to attempt to jump through.

If heat is still a problem, a simple fan blowing across the surface is often more than enough.

FWIW - 80 is not too high - it is more important that the temperature be stable than it be a specific number. (within reason)

+1 on all of this

GatorScott · Aug 17, 2019

Take the heater out and run without one and see where the temp stabilizes out. I keep my house 72* and run no heater and my tank is 78 with the lid.

Dom · Aug 17, 2019

Billdogg said:
I would suggest removing the solid top and replacing it with one that will allow for better air exchange. Many of us use a DIY top made from 1/4" mesh (available from BRS) and aluminum window screen frame from HD/Lowes. They are very easy to make and very effective at preventing jumpers. Others use eggcrate (lighting diffuser panels) cut to fit but I have found that the ~1/2" openings seem to invite fish to attempt to jump through.

If heat is still a problem, a simple fan blowing across the surface is often more than enough.

FWIW - 80 is not too high - it is more important that the temperature be stable than it be a specific number. (within reason)

I'm completely on board with this advice.

If you like the look of the top on your tank and don't want to remove it, place spacers between the tank and the top at the front corners to create a 1/2 inch space. That will help a lot.

Auquanut · Aug 17, 2019

What is the ambient temp in the room? Your pump and power heads as well as your lights create heat. You could lower the room temp by a few degrees, but that costs $$. I have the old CFL,s over my coralife 29 biocube, but I've heard the LED's run cooler.

bubbleclown · Aug 17, 2019

Billdogg said:
I would suggest removing the solid top and replacing it with one that will allow for better air exchange. Many of us use a DIY top made from 1/4" mesh (available from BRS) and aluminum window screen frame from HD/Lowes. They are very easy to make and very effective at preventing jumpers. Others use eggcrate (lighting diffuser panels) cut to fit but I have found that the ~1/2" openings seem to invite fish to attempt to jump through.

If heat is still a problem, a simple fan blowing across the surface is often more than enough.

FWIW - 80 is not too high - it is more important that the temperature be stable than it be a specific number. (within reason)

Thank you! I will go out and get some egg crates to replace to hood and the temperature does not fluctuate too high or low.

bubbleclown · Aug 17, 2019

GatorScott said:
Take the heater out and run without one and see where the temp stabilizes out. I keep my house 72* and run no heater and my tank is 78 with the lid.

My heater isn’t really a problem because it turns off when the temperature exceeds 77 degrees but thank you.

bubbleclown · Aug 17, 2019

Auquanut said:
What is the ambient temp in the room? Your pump and power heads as well as your lights create heat. You could lower the room temp by a few degrees, but that costs $$. I have the old CFL,s over my coralife 29 biocube, but I've heard the LED's run cooler.

The room temperature is the pretty cool and I open the window for good gas exchange and I have the standard LED on mine but it gets surprisingly hot

Auquanut · Aug 17, 2019

That seems surprising. We keep the temp around 72 and the heater in my 29 still comes on from time to time. Keeps the tank at a fairly constant 79. Are you cooling fans running properly?

Alex808 · Aug 17, 2019

I made a diy cover for my tank made out of clear plastic sheeting. DIY with a wood burner and the plastic clear sheet that comes in poster frame. Also, a piece of plastic for some redirect of the flow

bubbleclown · Aug 17, 2019

Auquanut said:
That seems surprising. We keep the temp around 72 and the heater in my 29 still comes on from time to time. Keeps the tank at a fairly constant 79. Are you cooling fans running properly?

Yes the fans are working but I’m not sure if it’s working it’s best. I don’t feel a lot of hair flow coming out of the top but I’m sure it helps somehow