how to cool down tank?

Can I just stick a ziplock bag of ice in my sump?

 

Yes you can, but why is it to hot you might want to fix that first. Fans can also help

 

You can, but what's making it hot? You can also point a fan at the surface.

 

I too am curious as to why you're having heating problems. If you have heat problems in winter, it won't be good come summer lol.

 

Well ill wait I know I'm gonna get it on this one... but I don't have a thermometer yet lol. But water feels extremely warm and could be cause of my red algae

 

I'll probably hold off till I get a thermostat in there

 

FWIW, tropical waters do feel very warm.

Also, temp has no bearing on the development of algae- it will grow at most any temperature when given the proper nutrients and lighting.

 

Well if the water in your tank is warmer than the ambient temperature than it will feel warm. I have overheating problems too but during the summer. I have a 20 gallon and I don't have a chiller but it will reach 88-90 degrees. I'll freeze a big ziplock bag of water and toss it in the sump but it doesn't do much.

 

Ok well ill hold off till I can really see where I'm at.. my zoas are growing like crazy and some other corals so can't be to bad. I cut my lighting back a few hours how long will it take to start seeing results if its my lighting?

 

well i bought a temp reader today... and i was rite... im at 81 almost 82... any ideas?? My light and the top of the trim of the tank pretty much covers the entire tank.. and my sump is in a seperate housing i built.. that light stays on all the time in the sump..