Tank catastrophe?

[holloway]

Want to know if it is unwise for me to consider adding 1 4'' fan into each side of my stand for cross ventilation. The tank is set up with 350lbs of live rock. It's pine with a open back. Right now inside the stand, I have 1 fan on each end pointing out towards the open back.
Questions...
1. Will my cutting into the side of my stand weaken the structure of the stand (placement will be center on each panel) causing it to collapse?
2. Would the new fan configuration be an improvement over the set up I have now?
Thanks. paranoid to cut.

 

[bdhough]

Is the side of the stand just paneling or main supports. YOu have main supports in the corners and probably middle parts of your tank. Just be sure not to mess with the main supports of your stand and you should be ok. If you are really worried about it bolster the other parts. And yes adding fans will help keep your water temp from getting to high if you are having problems with it. I woudln't add the fans if you aren't having problems though...

 

[holloway]

Right now I have a chiller that maintains it at 78 degree. Most of the heat is from my submersable pumps in the sump. My lighting is going to be upgraded from 200 watts of t-5's to 4 400 watt MH. I'm worried my chiller will be working O.T.

 

[scottnj]

Holloway,
Post a pic of the stand if you want, but it sounds like you should be okay. Usually the sides of the stand / hood are not support structure.
-Scott

 

[holloway]

i will. But unfortunately I'm out of town and I won't be back for another 5 days.

 

[bdhough]

Tank can be run at 80/81 degrees so its not that big of a deal if the temp goes up a little bit. I'm confused why you would build in the stand when the lights are in the canopy? Get some clip fans and hang them on the back. Then vent the canopy a little more. The only reason halides would make a tank that much hotter is if the heat they put off got trapped under the canopy.

 

[holloway]

the canopy will have fans mounted in it. I was trying to determine whether or not cutting into my stand to install more fans would be worthwhile. Just an attempt to ventilate below tank. Heat rises, warms water, chiller runs longer, etc. I think I'm spending to much time with minuscle improvement ideas.

 

[bullshark]

Dont cut the stand. Aside from stability issues, you wont be happy if the tank ever needs to be positioned in a different location.
I do certianly agree with your worry about the temp going up, but here is my suggestion:
Move the chiller away from the tank as far as possible. Get it out from under the tank. Plumb it nice and you wont have to worry. The chiller gives off all the heat it removes from the tank and then some. If the heat from the chiller is not re-circulated into the same air, you will be better off.
Dont cut the stand. Move the chiller.
I wish you the best!

 

[bdhough]

I agree with bull. You are messing with too much weight anyways in that 300 to start cutting whats holding it up. If you can move the chiller somehow try that. Or clip fans on the inside to blow out the back of the stand....
Vent your new lights and youll be ok. And i guess
If it ain't broke don't fix it