The Heat is On... Need Advice: Chillers

[STL Reefer]

Hi All,

I recently added MH lighting (on for 6 hrs each day) to my reef and up until recently the temp in my tank has been relatively stable at around 80 degrees. With the temperatures rising outside, I've noticed my tank temps reaching 84 or so and I am getting worried.

My tank volume with sump is around 110g. I have two 250w MH lamps currently running approx. 6 hours each day and two 110w VHO actinics running on for about 8 hours each day. My current livestock consists of a bunch of zoos, a toadstool leather, and ricordia. All of which I believe require less light. Please correct me if I am wrong.

So here are my two main questions.

Can or should I reduce my MH lighting schedule (slowly of course) to a couple of hours a day since my animals have less lighting requirements.

Even with all my venting fans, I guess my only other option would be looking into getting a chiller (tax return). For my 110g will the 1/4hp chiller be adequate. If so any brands come to mind???

Thanks in Advance for Any and All Suggestions

[CarmieJo]

You could also try blowing a fan across your sump. This will help to lower your overall tank temp.

[STL Reefer]

Carmie,

I'm sorry, I forgot to mention I already had a fan over the sump.

I have noticed the room with the tank is more humid than adjoining rooms. Maybe this is why my fans are not performing as efficiently. With the addition of the MH lighting system to the tank water is getting warmer causing higher evap rates thus higher humidity levels in the room with my tank. In researching I found that higher humidity levels is one of several factors that reduce the cooling potential of fans.

I think I am going to crack the window a bit

[CarmieJo]

Cracking the window is a good idea. If you have a ceiling fan you could also use it (if you are not) to keep the air moving both in the room with your tank and throughout the house. As you asked in your first post you could reduce the hours your MH are on. But it is not hot out yet and it will be harder to keep your temp down in the summer so you will probably need a chiller. I have an Aquanetics 1/6 HP drop in on my tank (total volume about 70 gallons) and it keeps the temp stable during the summer with the AC in our house set at 75. Aquanetics has gone out of business so they aren't available. I have heard good things about Teco chillers.

[Rob]

yes, the fans promote evaporation which reduces tank temperature. if the air is already humid you reduce the evaporation potential.. like why sweating on a humid day doesn't help much...

use a dehumidifier in the room, this will also help with rot and mold issues which are promoted by very humid air like that. also use open windows adn room fans as mentioned..
and if those dont work reliably then you will need to look at a chiller, yes..