High Temperature - What do you do?

Bad Company · Jul 9, 2014

So it's summer time, and tanks are getting hot.

I noticed that my tank hit 83 degrees F the other day. Everything seems fine (even my blue spot jawfish) except for my maxima clam, which is on its way out.

How excited are we supposed to get about maximum temp? Is it time to buy a chiller, or tell (ask) the wife to not turn off the A/C?

What do you guys do?

Live aquaria recommends 72-78 or 72-82 on jut about everything...

SchnitzelReef · Jul 9, 2014

When my tank fluctuates more then 1*, my fish start to stress. After 2*+, my fish and corals start looking bad. If ur tank gets to 83 during the day, raise your heater temp to 80-81 so there isn't a huge change. The high temp isn't always the culprit, it's typically the fluctuation in temp. If u have space for a fan, point it right at your water and the tank will drop pretty dramatically. As long as the air in the room isn't hotter then the tank.

Intricateart · Jul 9, 2014

Been battling high temps on our 150 gal reef for a while now. Its Florida. Chilling the tank with frozen 2 liters has become a full time affair and still won't drop more than a few degrees. Our tank is in front of window, but there are white curtains and the back glass is painted. Just installed a window a/c unit blowing over the surface, thru the lights and into the room. Unfortuntely I have to go to work now, can't sit and watch thermometer. Will see how it works by tonite.

reeffirstaid · Jul 9, 2014

Well, using A/C you can sometimes keep a tank's temperature in check, without the need for a chiller. I resorted to a chiller several years back, and they do keep your tank cool, and are easy to set-up, but some models are noisy and they put out a lot of heat. The best way to cool a tank, without a chiller, is to increase evaporation by using a fan. There are several fans on the market, some are pretty nice, others are simply retrofitted PC fans. The Tunze fan is a complete waste of money. It rusts out within several weeks, and doesn't do much cooling. Why Tunze produces that product, I really don't know. JBJ makes this: JBJ C-Breeze Adjustable Clamp-On Air Blower which is actually pretty effective. I used several of them on a previous tank, with about 7 degrees of cooling. Currently, I have the zoo med fan Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling Fan (5 of them) on my system currently. I was hitting 82 degrees in the basement, which is air conditioned. The fans keep it at around 77. Just remember, have plenty of RODI make up water handy, you'll be surprised how quick water evaporates when using a fan.

AZDesertRat · Jul 9, 2014

I use a $10 clip on fan from WalMart clipped on the edge of the sump or display so it blows across the longest surface. It cools things 5 degrees easily but be prepared for evaporation. An ATO becomes your best friend.

When I was using metal halides and VHO actinics I used this method and found placing the fan on a timer so it started about the same time as my lights but ran an hour or two longer than the lights and the the temperature was very steady even in Phoenix and with a digital thermostat on our home that was pretty warm during the day while we were at work.

cdness · Jul 9, 2014

I typically increase my tank temps slightly for the summer as it is easier to manage stability that way. I have a .5 degree area where there is no heat and no cooling happening. However out of range hot wise is cooled effectively with a high-velocity fan over the sump. However we leave the AC running 100% of the time to keep interior humidity low and the temps around 72 degrees in the house. Hot days it is unable to keep up, but the tank still remains cool. If the AC is turned off, the tank will go above the limit but will remain within tolerances for coral survival. It won't be happy but things will survive.

So I would say leave the AC on, but if you are concerned about power use, turn it up a little when you are gone. This way the room is still at a manageable level and te tank won't spike so high. Use a fan for the tank itself and you will be fine. Frozen milk jugs do help for the super crazy hot days in an emergency.

svt stang · Jul 9, 2014

This sounds like a problem i deal with all summer long. Michigan can have crazy temp swings. the best thing i have found to help is my apex hooked in with my phone so i can monitor temp and get alerts that helps very much. second i put two fans one on the sump and also one big fan in the room first i have the sump fan kick on and if its gets up to 82 then the big fan in the room kicks on. keep the blinds closed in the room that helps a bunch also. i have found chillers add to much noise and heat to the room, plus electricity to run .
Joel

Adam Baggett · Jul 9, 2014

I set my AC to 75 and with the help of fans my tank stays at 77 to 80 on a bad day. I know if your tank overheats some of my fishy friends freeze RO water in Zip lock bags and float them in the sump. If you do that make sure you use RO water, then if it leaks you do not posion your tank.

jaesong · Jul 9, 2014

I run a chiller. Consistency is a great thing.

reeffirstaid · Jul 9, 2014

Really, even though they can noisy, expensive, and put off heat, the sure fire way to keep your tank temp totally stable, if you're dealing with heat, is a chiller.

Reefing Madness · Jul 9, 2014

I run simple 12vdc computer fans across the water surface. Keeps my temps in check.

NanaReefer · Jul 9, 2014

I've yet to do anything

Tank has reached temps in the mid to upper 80's never an issue.

pickupman66 · Jul 9, 2014

Wow. Tough call. IME 2 degrees up and down fail has never been big. Old tank got to 83 daily with no chiller and vho lights. My 180 had a sump in the garage. No chiller and it would have toasted. Even with leds. New tank has to have a heater in it now. House is kept at 74. Leds and DC pumps help tremendously.

ETORRES477 · Jul 9, 2014

My philosophy is cool the room not the tank. A chiller will probably cost you the same amount in electricity that running your A/C will to keep your room at about 75/80 degrees. My cousin bought a chiller, and his electric bill saw the same increase with a chiller as it did when he ran his A/C to keep his tanks temp in check. Why shouldnt YOU AND your fish enjoy a reasonable temperature? Your going to have to spend extra anyway.......

Adam Baggett · Jul 9, 2014

^ I agree you get the benefit of the cool room too

KazzAhmed · Jul 10, 2014

I plumbed my sump into the basement pretty constant temp down there around 65 70 degrees even on the hottest days in the summer keeps my tank upstairs at 79 with very little fluctuation

kope1078 · Jul 10, 2014

I use a $10 dollar Walmart clip on fan blowing directly in my sump. Have it programmed to turn on when temp hits 80degrees. Works for me

Adam Baggett · Jul 10, 2014

^^^ Me too I have mine controlled by my Apex. I also have 3 computer fans blowing down on the water in my hood.

Jimbo662 · Jul 10, 2014

During the day I keep my thermostat at 78, 76 in the evening and 75 overnight. My temps consistently range from 78 to 80. About two weeks ago I got the $10 clip on fan and hooked up over the sump. It's set to come on at 80 and I think it's only come on twice.