Sheol's 80-Gallon - Description and QUESTIONS

[Sheol]

Originally Posted by Phurst

You'll have to refresh my memory on what the lights are.

I put what I knew about the lights in some text edits to the image.
Came with new tank: 72" w/ 2 x T12 VHO: 1 white, 1 actinic. (Not sure what wattage.)
Bought previously: 48" fixture w/ 2 x T12 VHO: 1 white, 1 actinic, + 2 x 175W MH

Originally Posted by Phurst

Skimmers do not work properly in fresh water due to the difference in surface tension in FW and SW.

Phew

Originally Posted by Phurst

What's the power of the chiller, and does it have adequate airflow? I'd imagine an HVAC technician could troubleshoo to some large degree, since it's just an air conditioner with the cooling coils in the water.

1/4 HP, and we had the stand open while we were using it, so it should have had adequate airflow.

[lReef lKeeper]

72" VHOs are 160w each. 46 1/2" - 48" are 110w each.

[Phurst]

SPS should be fine from mid-level on up to the top. maybe some lower light SPS even lower in the tank.

Was the chiller putting out any heat?

[Sheol]

Originally Posted by Phurst

SPS should be fine from mid-level on up to the top. maybe some lower light SPS even lower in the tank.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Phurst

Was the chiller putting out any heat?

Yep!

[Phurst]

How long did you have it running?

[Sheol]

I'm pretty bad with keeping track of time, but I'd say for 2 - 4 hours.

[IAreef]

I would definitely think you should have seen a change for the good in that time period definitely shouldn't have gone up. The chiller could be low on freon or whatever refrigerant it uses depending on age.

[Phurst]

Originally Posted by IAreef

I would definitely think you should have seen a change for the good in that time period definitely shouldn't have gone up. The chiller could be low on freon or whatever refrigerant it uses depending on age.

Agreed. Something isn't right.

[Sheol]

*Sigh*

That chiller is the main reason I bought the 180-Gallon in the first place.

[lReef lKeeper]

i would not worry to much about that,right now, unless the lights make the tank seriously overheat.

have you had the lights on yet ?? how hot did the tank water get ??

you would be amazed at what a couple of $5 fans from WalMart can do for you.

[Sheol]

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

i would not worry to much about that,right now, unless the lights make the tank seriously overheat.

My 80-gallon's overheating consistently, which is why I wanted a chiller so badly. My 80-gallon's already been slightly over 90°F mostly because of the weather here, and it's only going to get hotter. My 80-gallon has pretty weak lights, too.

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

have you had the lights on yet ??

Nope - actually the pump tripped the GFI outlet off twice while we were running it, so we didn't even think to turn the lights on yet. Actually, we haven't gotten the ballasts situated yet so they can be plugged in yet, either.

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

how hot did the tank water get ??

N/A

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

you would be amazed at what a couple of $5 fans from WalMart can do for you.

Yeah, I just need to get some DI water to keep on hand to do manual top-off, because the water's evaporating pretty quickly even without any fans being on.

[lReef lKeeper]

ok, just wanted to make sure that you knew that a chiller is not the only means of cooling a tank.

My 80-gallon's overheating consistently, which is why I wanted a chiller so badly. My 80-gallon's already been slightly over 90°F mostly because of the weather here, and it's only going to get hotter. My 80-gallon has pretty weak lights, too.

that does not sound like a light issue to me, is the heater stuck on ?? what type of pump is in the water ??

[Sheol]

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

ok, just wanted to make sure that you knew that a chiller is not the only means of cooling a tank.

I tried melting frozen bottles of water on top of the tank, too - didn't even knock it down half a degree.

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

that does not sound like a light issue to me, is the heater stuck on ??

Heater's been unplugged since the first time I found the tank above 85°F. I think I inherited this tank in August, and the tank was always at an even 80°F with just the heater plugged in, with hardly any variation. Once the room temperature started rising, the tank temp started rising too (of course). I came home on a hot day to find the room at something like 85°F and the tank at something like 86°F. It's consistently a degree or so above room temperature, and our air conditioner doesn't work.

Originally Posted by lReef lKeeper

what type of pump is in the water ??

It has a canister filter, 4 maxi-jet 1200's which are on 2 at a time w/ a wavemaker, and 2 small accela pumps (whatever came with the BakPak dual pak protein skimmer). They're probably slightly weaker than the maxi-jets.

[Sheol]

I found out that running all of this equipment on the same circuit isn't working out. Delay of game!

I'm hoping my brother can re-wire things for me - maybe switch what circuit the outlet near the aquarium is on. Having both aquariums turned on is already causing problems (and I haven't even turned on the lights yet).