Tank temperatures

[Clayton]

With the climb of the temps outside my tank temps have climbed as well. The halide heat was manageable before, but it seems to be doing double time now.

I've put my livestock search on hold until I get this corrected and stable again. I guess I didn't realize how much that little room changes temps with the weather.

What sort of suggestions do you guys have for maintaining a stable and healthy temperature? The only things I'm finding online are fans and chillers. I've never worked with either on a tank and I'm not sure what type of temp change to expect or if those are even the best way to go about it.

[roka64]

I use a floor fan and it keeps my temp stable. What sized tank you talking about?

[Clayton]

It is only a 12g.

[roka64]

I used a floor fan for mine. I can effectively adjust the temp from 82 back down to 76. Since you don't have livestock in there, try an adjustable table fan (one with adjustable flow) and see where that gets you. I think you should find it will work wonders. Just don't get a huge fan.
What kinf od lid do you have on it (covered with glass or open)?
What about lighting?

[skipm]

There are a few things you may want to try. You could change your lighting schedule so the lights are on when the house is cooler, maybe having the lights come on when you get home from work and staying on until bedtime just as an example. Open any closed tops and direct a fan over the waters surface will promote evaporative cooling, this will cause the need for more frequent top offs but usually helps with temps. If the problem is just for a short time of the day you may be able to float frozen water bottles in the tank/sump to help control temps. Raising the lights a bit higher over the tank can also be helpful if possible. Keep in mind thatI am not familiar with your tank so some of these sugestions may not be appropriate for your tank.

_________________
Happy Reefing, Skip

The only thing that happens quickly in reefing is a disaster.and an empty bank account!

[roka64]

Those are some great ideas, skip! Good point, to, tell us about your set up.

[Clayton]

It is a 12 gallon aquapod with a 70w. The top is open, but there isn't much airflow in the room. I don't have any fans nearby. Perhaps I can find one that will clamp onto the tank somehow.

I currently run the lights from approx 5:30pm to 11:30pm.

There is some livestock in the tank. A small hammer coral I think it is a branching hammer, a little zoa colony, and a mushroom that was a tag along with my rock. I also have some nass snails as well as a few mini brittle stars and astrea snails.

[sadielynn]

Clayton with summer here try to find a small table top fan I have one on our 2 tanks they are no bigger than 6 inches . They cool the water through evap and the temps stay at a constant 75* in the begining we had temps at 88* + this has helped a great deal , perhaps opening a window in the evening to cool the room would help . I have mine seated on the HOB filter I am not sure if you can make a top for the chabers to hold a fan on or not , also get egg crate to cover the top in open forum this helps prevent the fan from falling into the H20 and allows the water to evap and cool .

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sadielynn

10 gallon nano reef
2 cats
1 very missed kitty that left April 27, 2009
3 birds and 1 very missed birdy that left May 1 2005
Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you got Garth Brooks

[Ziggy953]

Try the fan before putting forzen bottles in your tank. Wtih only 12 gallons I would be concerened with dropping the temp too fast. I think a small fan blowing over the tank and light will help you out a lot!

[Clayton]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The little cheap fan I picked up at Wal-Mart has made a huge difference. Temp is steady at 76-77 since adding the fan.

[skipm]

These are some nice little fans that clamp on to the rim of the tan k, they cost a bit more than a clamp on from WalMart but they look nicer IMO: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14701&Ntt=fan&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

_________________
Happy Reefing, Skip

The only thing that happens quickly in reefing is a disaster.and an empty bank account!

[roka64]

I was real surprised at how much of a difference the fan made.

[Clayton]

The fan I have might make too much difference. I'd like to find one with a temp controller, or perhaps just a temp controller that will control both a fan and a heater. For now this one is working great and it was really cheap as well as usable for something else when I replace it.

[sadielynn]

For controlling the temps as in the heater and the fan you may wish to look into a RK2 I have mine set to turn on and off at certin temps . not sure what your budget is but they are around 275. I would do a 2nd RK2 if I would not be shot on spot for getting one
On the bedroom tank I just run a simple out door timer on it . I run the fan with the lights . I have the heater set at 75* and it usually doesnt turn on . We have central AC here but it doesnt always cool the upstairs like I would like it to .

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sadielynn

10 gallon nano reef
2 cats
1 very missed kitty that left April 27, 2009
3 birds and 1 very missed birdy that left May 1 2005
Happiness isn't getting what you want, it's wanting what you got Garth Brooks

[Clayton]

$275 seems a bit high. I know I've seen some simpler heater and chiller controllers that cost significantly less, but I can't seem to locate one online at the moment.

If my girlfriend wouldn't make me sleep in it I could probably get a whole softie nano tank going for under $275.