Canopy heat

[i<3reefs]

The heat inside my aquarium canopy is impressive. I've ordered 3 more 3" fans to push more air in, and out, but is there an acceptable temperature for the inside of your closed canopy? Mine currently is running at 90 degrees, which seems way to high.
Does anyone have any input on this matter?
Thanks

 

[acrylic51]

Never measured canopy heat but, what kind of lighting? Is the back of the canopy completely closed in as well?

 

[flower]

Water temperature is your only concern. I bet the heat inside your lampshades on your lamps is plenty hot. Lights give off heat, that’s why you can’t touch a light bulb with your bare hands after it has been on for even a minute.
Raise the lights a little higher off the surface of the water, run fans across the water surface as well…that should keep the tank temperature in an acceptable range.
I put small wood blocks on my canopy to raise it up. Later I removed my canopy’s hinged top and hung my MH lights above it. That gives me that finished look I like without encasing the heat inside.

 

[i<3reefs]

I have two 250w MH, and 6 T5 bulbs, and no the back of the canopy is not closed in. I've read somewhere extreme heat reduces the lifespan of my bulbs, not to mention might not be good on my fixtures. I don't know what extreme heat is, and I don't know by how much their lifespan can be reduced. I had to buy a chiller so I could keep my canopy closed, otherwise the day versus night temperature fluctuation was up to 5 degrees. Canopy heat might be nothing to be concerned about, but I'm not a big fan of having to replace those bulbs any sooner than necessary. Just trying to cover all my bases.

 

[acrylic51]

Yeah heat does and will reduce the lifespan of bulbs....When you mentioned 90 degrees I don't think that is really hot for what your running. How high are the lights off the top of the tank?

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by I<3Reefs
http:///forum/post/3271012
I have two 250w MH, and 6 T5 bulbs, and no the back of the canopy is not closed in. I've read somewhere extreme heat reduces the lifespan of my bulbs, not to mention might not be good on my fixtures. I don't know what extreme heat is, and I don't know by how much their lifespan can be reduced. I had to buy a chiller so I could keep my canopy closed, otherwise the day versus night temperature fluctuation was up to 5 degrees. Canopy heat might be nothing to be concerned about, but I'm not a big fan of having to replace those bulbs any sooner than necessary. Just trying to cover all my bases.

Raise the lights above the canopy, it's your only option.

 

[bang guy]

90F is nothing to worry about. Heat increases the efficiency of MH bulbs but does reduce ballast and flourescent bulb lifespan. 90F is actually pretty low.

 

[novahobbies]

Are your ballasts in the canopy, or are they external? I have fans mounted in the top of my canopy sucking the hot air out, so cool air comes in through the screened back of the canopy and keeps the fixtures low. But I agree with Bang, 90 degrees isn't something to worry much about.

 

[i<3reefs]

My MH ballasts are in the cabinets below, but my nova pro obviously is self contained. My MH have only been on for 30 minutes, so the temp in the canopy hasn't quite reached 90 degrees. I am adding 2 more 24" T5 bulbs to supplement the light under my MH. I have 2 fans in my canopy, and I've got my fans in that I'm going to install to finish the job.
Sorry for not responding, I was satisfied with your answers, and didn't notice there were more questions. Here are some photos just to show you all what I did, thanks again for sharing your opinions on this topic.

 

[acrylic51]

Very nice pics.....Honestly I think that adding the fans your going to be perfectly fine.....Temp shouldn't be an issue.

 

[florida joe]

the real question is what is your water temp

 

[acrylic51]

Very true....water temp is the key.

 

[i<3reefs]

The black temp probe in the photo is my water temp. It stays at 78.something all day and night due to a chiller.

 

[acrylic51]

Ahhhhh your good !!!!!!