Fluctuating temps, what to do?

sugarfox03

sugarfox03

Member
Hey everyone! I cannot seem to get the temps in my tank to stay below 80, even with the lights off all day (dont worry, my tank is still cycling.) I mounted a fan right above the hood, which helped 1 day. Now, everyone I get home around 7:00 my temps are up near 85! When I get up in the morning for work, the temps are between 78-80, where I would like it to stay. I keep the room the tank is in around 72 degrees, I used to bump it up to 75 when I went to work, but I have been keeping it cooler to see if it would help, its not. I cant keep the top open as I have cats. Should I get a chiller, and just program it to turn on & off for a few hours during the day? I am not going to put anything in there until this is under control. Can anyone suggest what I can do? The tank is a 24 gal AquaPod nano, with about 30 lbs of lr. Thanks in advance!

-Melody
 
nudilove

nudilove

Member
HI there,
I had teh EXACT same problem. If you can invest in a chiller, a great cheaper model that I purchased is the Pacific Coast Imports Heater Chiller CL-85 ran about $250 but has kept my temp PERFECT.
If the chiller isnt an option, try opening the little feeding hatch and putting a fan there to suck the hot air out, that worked pretty well for me as well but was just annoying to have the hatch open.
My 24 aquapod is over in the photography forum Nudilove's Tank Diary if youd like to see what Ive done with it.
 
sleasia

sleasia

Active Member
You can try aiming fans at the tank if it is glass, or you can put a few ice cubes in a zip lock bag to bring down the temperature....I used to do this and what a pain!!! Now I have also a pacific coast chiller. It will do all the work for you and releive you of this annoying problem. Also the pacific coast chiller has an outlet on it for your tube heater which you can either put in the tank or sump...in this way if the chiller chills the water below your target temp, or the house a/c brings the temp of your tank down too low, the thermostat on the chiller will "know" and turn on the heater for you to heat your tank or sump back up to the target temp and then turn off the heater. This is much better than having the heater on independently, because many heaters have cheap thermostats and forget to shut off....raising tank temps too high. If you can afford a chiller you will not regret this investment.
 
sugarfox03

sugarfox03

Member
Wow I didnt know they were so expensive. I want to get my MH light first, will I still need a chiller with the MH? $250 is a lot of money for a chiller (and the MH light I'm getting!) I am going to see if I can go some other routes first, but if they dont work, I dont have a choice. Thanks for the suggestions! :)
-Melody
 
sac10918

sac10918

Member
Metal Halides will heat the tank even more. It sounds like you will definately need the chiller. I think you should purchase the chiller before the halides, get the temperature stable, maybe add a few soft corals slowly, and then upgrade to the lights later. It sounds like the chiller is more necessary at this point. There isn't much that can handle such swings in the temperature.
If it helps, I know that Current USA (the maker of the aquapod) is coming out with a nano chiller, which I am guessing will be much more affordable, although I am not sure how great it would work. It sounds like the chiller suggested by others would be the best for your situation.
 
sugarfox03

sugarfox03

Member
At this point I am debating on if I really need the MH. I know they are what is best, but I dont plan on any anemones in this tank (maybe if I get a larger one in the future.) Can I keep zoos and soft corals without a MH? I have already spent over $500 in the past 10 days, I dont make a whole lot of money, I have a big truck payment every month, and I run a rescue group (I pay for all vet care for my rescues, it gets very expensive with no donations!) I cant afford a $260 light and another $250 chiller. I wish I could though! I cant get anything big like that for another 3 weeks or so. I'm going to see if proping the lip up an inch or two will help (and move the cat tree to the opposite side of the room so they arent near it!) I'm also going to mount another fan to the other side of the tank. Do I need my lights on while its cycling? Can I leave those off while I figure this temp stuff out? Thanks again!
-Melody
 
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