High Temp

[downunder]

Hope someone out there can give me some suggestions for lowering the temp of my tank. I have a 46 gal bowfront with a canopy holding 4 96 watt tubes. The canopy has a cooling fan also. The tank has a glass top and the canopy also has a peice of plexy-glass on the bottom covering the tubes. I have the canopy sitting directly on top of the tank. (the canopy is rectangle so there is not a perfect fit on the type of tank I have). The tank is located in our family room, away from any direct sunlight. There are alot of large windows and two large skylights that let in alot of light (and generated heat!!). Although the house is air-conditioned, it stays somewhat warmer in that room on account of the glass and lnatural ight.
There is no way I can afford a chiller for my tank, plus there is no place to put one either.
Should I remove both the glass top of the tank and the plexy-class cover on the bottom of the canopy to allow the cooling fan to cause a draft accross the water or what??
Any help would be much appreciated. My water temp has risen to the high 80's at times. My fish seem to have adjusted okay, but any type of soft corals I have attempted (other than shrooms, they seem to love it!) have failed.
Thanks again for any help you can offer!!

 

[nm reef]

If it is at all possible I would remove the glass tops...they can trap heat...without them you'd have more evaporation which can help lower temp. If your lights are far enough off the water surface to prevent splash then I'd consider removing the cover on the canopy too. How high does your temp get? I try to keep mine around 78 for a low and 82 for a high...more range than some hobbyists...but its worked for me.

 

[downunder]

Thanks for the response NM Reef!
I have had the temp as high as 89! We dive alot in the Caribbean in waters 85+ and corals and sponges thrive nicely. I know that is high for most hobbiest too, but there is life in the 80's! I just don't like getting in the high 80's.
I'll try your suggestion. I think I can safely remove both the plexy-glass and the glass top. Will let ya know how it works!!
Thanks again!

 

[nm reef]

 

[737mech]

I'd add a small powerhead near the top of the tank on one end aimed to blow water across the surface. This will also increase your evaporation rate to help cool tank. Do you have central air? Maybe you could get a window unit for that room and run it on those really hot days to help cool that room down some more.

 

[bang guy]

Good Call NM!

 

[sleons]

I have the same problem and 82 is the lowest temp I can maintain constantly. I have two 2 inch fans installed with the hood but my temp was rising to the 89 range. I bought some $5.00 five inch fans at Wal-mart and have a fan on my pumps under the tank and strapped two fans by the hood as exhaust fans. I my case you can’t see them from the front and they are not exposed to water. I also replaced my old home thermostat with a $39.00 programmable digital unit. Did it myself. This has allowed me to better manage my house temperature which has allowed my tank to be a constant 82 degrees. My house is set at 77 degrees from 8:00am to 10:00pm and at 78 degrees the rest of the day. Works for me.