How do you cool your tank?

Good idea....my tank top is wide open, no glass tops.

There is a canopy, buts it a decorative one just on the outside rim so the top is completely open.
On top of the canopy I have the light fixture but its open and off the water a good 8''.

So a fan across the sump is just as good as it across the top of the tank huh?

Thats a good idea b/c then I can hook it to my RKL and have it come on when the temp hits around 80 then shut off when its back down to 78.5...something like that!

 

Its how I do my cooling. I have two computer fans in the enclosed canopy but they normally only run when the lights are on, the clip on runs off the RKL when it calls for it. In the very hottest part of summer I leave one of the canopy fans on 24/7 but otherwise its all automatic.

 

I didn't see anyone else mention it here, but if you're not running a reef computer yet (like me), you can automate your fans by putting them on the same timer as your lights.

Also, most coral reefs are in climates where the water temperature is typically 82-84 degrees, and can get as high as 90! unless you're keeping a lot of cooler water corals, it should be fine to get to 82.

I believe the most important thing is to keep the temperature from swinging too much, so you wouldn't want to go from 78 to 82 degrees in a 24 hour period, but keeping it at a constant 81-82 degrees shouldn't be a big deal.

 

Doesnt the temp in the ocean swing a couple/few degrees each day/night?

My tank goes down to 78.5 at night and during the day in the summer it gets up to 80-81.

During the winter its more stable at 78.5 because I dont have the heat outside to deal with!

I will try the fan approach to see if that keeps me in a 1-2 degree acceptable range, if not I may look into a chiller to take the edge off. I dont really want to have to deal with a chiller though(the cost and piping, and pump...etc...).

 

My canopy fans are on the same RKL timer as my lights. The clip on fan is also on the RKL but is temp controlled not time controlled.

 

That's how I want to do it, have it be temp controlled not time controlled and I can easily do that with the RKL.

I just called Wal-Mart and they have the 6'' clip of fan for 9.99...I am going to try to get there later on or tomorrow to pick one up.

Cheaper to run that than a chiller with a pump...and a little less expensive!

I just have to test it to make sure it will cool it down to where I need it.

 

I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how well the fan works. Its a two speed and I run it on low most of the time to keep salt creep under the stand at a minimum.

 

Thanks AZ...I didnt get a chance to get it today...hopefully tomorrow!

Its supposed to cool back down here for a week starting tomorrow so it will hopefulle be normal spring weather instead of 85-90 degrees.

 

81.7 is not a big deal. Now let that get to 90 then that will be an issue.

I say turn up the house AC a bit and be done with it.

 

House AC units are expensive to operate. My bill is over $400 a month in July and August as it is with a 1200 sq ft house. No way am I going to cool an entire house to keep the tank cool.