MH's and chillers

Looks like you have plenty of room in the canopy. If it was me doing it, I would want to exhaust the heat out of the canopy. Blow the air out. If you blow air in as well, you can move a lot of air.

I would try to place fans on top of the canopy exhausting out. Getting a balance of air moving up to take the heat out. You don't want fans fighting each other or just blowing air around inside. You want air moving in a direction, and the fewer direction changes the better.

The vents on the back wall will work better drawing air in than blowing out. They will be hampered a bit by the back wall if you blow out.

This is just in general. Plenty of ways to skin a cat. Just some thoughts. Sorry if any of it was obvious.

 

great advice all.

I agree about the airflow Powerman. A continuous direction would be best.

I think MH's will be my choice for my upgrade. Fewer bulbs to buy in the future.

 

The only negative side to the fans is your evaporation rate is going to double or even triple.


Luna

 

I have an ATO hooked up to my RO/DI so I am not too worried about evaporation right now but I agree, I would think more would occur.

I go through about a gallon a day now.

 

I am currently having a temp issue. I run 2 - 250w mhs about 6 " over a 90 gallon tank. I have mainly sps with a few lps. I do have glass tops. I think that maybe an issue but i dont wanna have to deal with the water evaporation factor.

My tank temp is rising in the danger zone of up to 84 degrees. And that makes me nervous.

I have fans blowing under the halides and above the glass tops. ambient temp isnt too high. Maybe 75 degrees at most. house is kept comfortable and fans moving air.

Any suggestions? maybe take glass tops off. That might do some good justice?

 

I have (2) 250W MH's about 6" above the water surface. I do have a bad temperature problem. It has me freaking out every time I look at the thermometer. It's about 86F when they're on and 84F when they're off. I do have a fan blowing but it's not a small fan so it just blows toward the tank, not above the surface of the water. I don't have an A/C unit in my fish room but I do plan to get one by next week. Hopefully if I keep that set at 17C all day and night, that will solve my temp problem. If that fails, I'm gonna have to buy a chiller.... I really didn't want to do that.

 

tatted4ever,

i would say that taking the tops off would definately help cool your water. they are trapping heat in. you will get more evaporation with them off but it should help on the cooling issue.

 

You answered your own question. The glass tops are preventing a tremendous amount of heat exchange--not to mention gasseous exchange too.

Not only will it mitigate; if not solve, your heat issue. Your tank will be healthier for it.

 

Thanks Guys!!!

 

You should have better PH levels with better gas exchange