Overheating in Nano

[bruder]

I have a Oceanic Bio-Cube - 14 gal that I have made a few mods to. First I took out the bio-balls and added some LR rubble with a carbon bag. Second, I swapped out the pump for a MJ1200 to increase flow. And last, I replaced the actinic bulb for a 50/50 bulb.
Well in order to make sure the MJ is able to work, I have to add what seems to be more than capacity water, which I would like to fix by drilling some holes in the first to second chamber to try and level out the water. And my second issue is temperature. I believe that the bulb and the excess water has raised the temperature. I bought a lower power heater but I just can get it to drop below 80F during the day. I have cut open some 2 in by 2 in "holes" in the plastic cover to allow the fans to get some more air flow.
Any help on solving this Temperature problem would be greatly appreciated. I can always put the actinic bulb back in, which should bring the temp back down, but I would like to keep the 50/50 for a little more uummphh for when I get corals.
Cheers,
Ryan

 

[the gift]

80 seems ok for a reef...But a chiller or just take off the heater completely during the day?

 

[catawaba]

My 24g nano runs at 81 degrees. I have no heater on it. The built in fans run and I leave the feeding door open during the afternoon.
I think you'll be fine. Temp stability is more important.

 

[bruder]

I switched back to the Actinic bulb and I'll see if that helps any. Also, I may give running the heater on a timer so it is on at night only. Thanks for the input. So if I keep it stable at 80, it will be ok with fish and invertebrates?

 

[bruder]

Sorry I have a tag along question... My tank has been cycling for about 7 weeks now. At week 4 my LFS said that my parameters were good, but we decided on another 3 weeks to be safe.
Do most people do a partial water change before they start adding critters. And what is the proper order of adding things? Invertebrates, Fish, Corals?
Cheers

 

[nudilove]

Being on the wall that it is and with the huge pump in it my 24g Pod runs WAY hot, because I temp acclimate the fish SLOOOOOWLY it doesnt seem to have adverse effects, running between 82-84 night to day. The closed hood tanks always seem to run hot, I used to have a chiller but it blasted so much heat into my very small room that it was counter intuitive to the whole mess.
When I cycled my tank through I added hermits and snails first since I had tons of algae, then hardy fish, lastly corals.

 

[bruder]

Do you think the new overheating is from the MJ1200?

 

[bang guy]

More waterflow = more heat. It's a fact of physics.
Do you have a fan you can point at the entire tank?

 

[bruder]

I do. It is a Bio-Cube with a lid on it so I am not sure how I this can help. I can point it up at the tank. Is this what you mean Bang?

 

[bruder]

Temp is at 79 now and stable throughout the day. I'll have to set an alarm and take a look tonight and see what is going on.
Thanks for all of the input! I'm getting ready to get some invertebrates and I am pretty pumped!