temperature problem

[fishmomma]

Hi everybody,
This is my first post...
I have an 80g tank with 440w and I am having a problem with the temp. I can't get it down to 82. I am lucky if I get it down to 84. By the end of the light cycle it is up to 88. We are going to purchase some fans for the hood. Will they actually help get it down or have most of you found that in order to truly get the temp to come down you need a cooler system? What's in there now doesn't seem to mind the temp (mostly just fish and crabs and one star fish) because everything else died after the light upgrade (because of the temp most likely). The tank got into the 90s on more than one occasion. Those in the tank now seem to be used to it, but we obviously have a hard time adding anything new. Will hood fans fix things or not really? Let me know what you have found to be true.

 

[spsfreak100]

Welcome to the board, fishmomma!
Where are you in California? I know down here it gets really hot during the day. As jwtrojan44 already stated, fans won't work if your lighting is kept too close to the surface of the water. You could go to a local radio shack or hardware store and pick up a few 4" fans. Does you hood have an "open back?"
One good way to help with the temperature is to freeze a few plastic water bottles (with water already inside them) and dd the water bottles into the tank/or sump. It should cool down the water and it's easy to freeze again. Make sure you have the cap on tight if you're using tap water or any water source with high amounts of copper, chlorine, phosphate, etc.
Take Care,
Graham

 

[fishmomma]

It's a pretty standard hood... the hood is about 6/6.5 inches tall and the lights are mounted to the top of the hood. The back of the hood is open and the tank is in a corner so it has lots of air flow back there (IOW its not up against the wall). How much will the fans bring the temp. down do you think? How will corals and soft corals do? The tank has been up and running for about 1 1/2 years, but mostly with fish, live rock and invertebrates (sp?). We live in the central valley in CA, so it gets really hot here.
Thanks for more info!
fishmomma

 

[jes281]

when i finally put fans in my top i noticed a 5 degree difference right away... i have the 4 inch fans from radio shack (2) one on top and one on the side, i had a problem just keeping the lights on. they would get too hot and the system would shut of ..
good luck, keep posting to keep us updated...

 

[bang guy]

I agree that fans will solve most of your problem.
Try to avoid rapid temperature swings as they are much more deadly that high temps.

 

[phoenixrising]

I use a chiller to control the temp in my system. True they cost a bit more than a fan, but I NEVER have to worry about heat in my tanks. I only have to worry about the electric bill when it comes. Chillers are a tad more expensive to buy and operate. Worth it my opinion though.

 

[beerman]

I live in the Central Valley in California and have a tank with 440 watts about the same height. Fans will get it down a few degrees and work well for me. My tank never gets above 82. You may want to use the air conditioning too, if your tank is hitting 90's your house must be pretty hot too.