Pc Lights Raise Tank Temp. What To Do?

[todj2002]

my lights make my tank temp to high. i have a small fan on that helps but i think it is also blowing dust from the air into my tank. is there any solution to this heat problem without buying a chiller. i was going to get one until i saw the prices! really expensive. is there any alternative or some helpful hints that may help me? i had the glass off the top because i read it was better to have it off, but i put it back on yesterday to stop dust. it is making a film on the top of my water. the tank temp is between 80-82 degrees. is this ok? gets even hotter without the fan.

 

[sly]

82 is about perfect... I had temp problems until I installed 2 fans. I cut 2 square shaped holes on either side of my canopy and I mounted 2 computer fans in them. One of them draws air in while the other one blows it out. That way I keep air circulating through my lights. This has fixed my heat problem. I have 325 watts of PC lighting under a closed canopy with a glass cover on and my temp doesn't change. It's at 82 with the lights on and with them off. I set my heater to keep the tank warm during the night so that the temp wouldn't fluctuate.
The fans I used were simple 12 volt computer fans. I bought a transformer from Radio Shack and wired them to come on when my lights come on. They run almost silent.

 

[todj2002]

thanks for the reply. 82 is not too high of a temp?

 

[hot883]

82 is pushing it. Do you use glass tops? My PC's do not have fans and they do NOT raise the temp at all. Barry

 

[todj2002]

i just put the glass top back on due to the fan making a dust film on water. i was just thinking - i should put some type of filter on the fan intake side. it is a 3"x3" that attaches to tankside.

 

[royal gang]

my temp. is 84oF :scared: :scared: :scared:

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by TODJ2002
i just put the glass top back on due to the fan making a dust film on water. i was just thinking - i should put some type of filter on the fan intake side. it is a 3"x3" that attaches to tankside.
The glass top is keeping the heat in. Either clean the fan or place it differently as to not sling in dust.

 

[todj2002]

yeah i knew the glass was going to make the heat worse, but i was worried about the film on top. i did change the angle of the fan so it was blowing over the top of the lighs instead of directly accross top of water but temp is at eight to eight two now. when it was aiming accross the water it was keeping temp about 78. i am thinking i need to come up with a type of air filter for the fan. that shouldnt be to tough. i am going to go find something now. by the way what do we have to say about a safe temp now that i see these different responses. is 84 too high? what is optimum temp?

 

[hot883]

Originally Posted by TODJ2002
yeah i knew the glass was going to make the heat worse, but i was worried about the film on top. i did change the angle of the fan so it was blowing over the top of the lighs instead of directly accross top of water but temp is at eight to eight two now. when it was aiming accross the water it was keeping temp about 78. i am thinking i need to come up with a type of air filter for the fan. that shouldnt be to tough. i am going to go find something now. by the way what do we have to say about a safe temp now that i see these different responses. is 84 too high? what is optimum temp?
I have a reef with fish and corals and I keep the temp. at 78-80. IT CANNOT change over the course of the day but 1-2 degrees or you ask for problems. Really depends on your set up if higher than 80-84. If it stays there and does not sway wildly then you might be ok.
The film on top of the water is excess nutrients and can be taken out 2 ways. Adding a skimmer and also try aiming a powerhead towards the top to make turbelance on the top of water. helps the gasses escape.

 

[tx reef]

I keep the temperature in my reef at 82. This is a new one...PCs raising the temperature in the tank, not MH....... :hilarious

 

[cymbal67]

i keep my tank between 76 and 78 (usually sits at 77.something - sometimes dipping down towards 76 at night), when you go scuba diving, the cooler waters always seem to be a better dive. you can turn the a/c down some in your house to help, or even try to get the a/c duct in the room to aim at the tank.