People in the southern states, how do you cool your tank with MH?

Seafan · 01-13-2003, 01:46 PM

I live in Louisiana, the summer here is long and hot, often in mid 90s to 100F. I've only have had PC lighting so far, so I'm not sure how hard it is to control temperature for the tank I'm planning with MH lighting (an 180g with 3 250W MH and VHOs). I suppose it's a whole lot more challenging? I set A/C in the room to 80F when I'm not home in the summer, with cooling fans in the hood, is that enough to keep the tank around 80F with MH lighting? How do you people living in AZ, TX, LA, MS, AL, FL keep your tank cool in the summer? Is a chiller required, or more economical compared to using A/C?

thanks.

tendar · 01-13-2003, 05:45 PM

Arizona here. I use a 6" fan blowing across sump helps alot and keep AC at 77 all the time also have the canopy as much open as possible. I have opening in the top of canopy to let the heat rise straight out which also helps alot. Mount the halides 12" above water also helps.
A chiller would be the best if you have some where to put it so you dont have to listen to run.

**scubadude** · 01-13-2003, 06:00 PM

Using the underground to cool/heat your tank is one of the most effecient approaches! But you will be getting much more involved in DIY area, If you are truly interested in this approach you can learn more in my Greenhouse farm thread in the DIY forum on this board.

Rocky

SueT · 01-13-2003, 08:26 PM

Seafan, I'm in Houston and know too well the heat our summers produce. Add to that MH lighting and it can make for a lot of heat. I also have a 180 and I use 3 250w 65k iwasaki's and 2 160w vho actinics. I keep sps corals and clams and so I have got to keep the temp down. I have a CSL 1/3 hp. chiller and it has worked the last 2 summers fine. In fact with the cold we have had lately the chiller hasn't been kicking on much. I keep my tanks at 77 degrees.

I would be concerned with your set-up and keeping the temp down and not have the AC a bit lower. These 250w MH's will put off some heat. I tried some 400w iwasaki's on my 120 2 summers ago and that has to be the biggest mistake I have made. The heat was unbelievable. I had 2 large fans running and ended up freezing some soda bottles and still turning the lights out in the afternoons. I even have a chiller on this 120 and it didn't make much difference.

Good luck with what you decide. We still have a few months til we have to start dreading the heat.

my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html

reefer504 · 01-13-2003, 11:03 PM

Seafan,I am using 2-4inch fans in the canopy.I have a 75g with a 29g sump.Over the main tank I have 2-250 watt MH,4-110watt VHO,and 2-30 wattNO actinics and over the sump I have 2-55 watt compacts.In the summer with the house AC on 70 degrees my tank stays around 82degrees.

01-13-2003, 01:46 PM	#1
Seafan Citizen Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: New Orleans, LA, USA Posts: 152	People in the southern states, how do you cool your tank with MH? I live in Louisiana, the summer here is long and hot, often in mid 90s to 100F. I've only have had PC lighting so far, so I'm not sure how hard it is to control temperature for the tank I'm planning with MH lighting (an 180g with 3 250W MH and VHOs). I suppose it's a whole lot more challenging? I set A/C in the room to 80F when I'm not home in the summer, with cooling fans in the hood, is that enough to keep the tank around 80F with MH lighting? How do you people living in AZ, TX, LA, MS, AL, FL keep your tank cool in the summer? Is a chiller required, or more economical compared to using A/C? thanks. __________________ Welcome to visit my web site Aquarist Report

01-13-2003, 06:00 PM	#3
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,315	Geo-Thermal Using the underground to cool/heat your tank is one of the most effecient approaches! But you will be getting much more involved in DIY area, If you are truly interested in this approach you can learn more in my Greenhouse farm thread in the DIY forum on this board. Rocky __________________ Rocky

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01-13-2003, 05:45 PM	#2
tendar Governor Join Date: May 2000 Location: tempe,AZ Posts: 1,114	Arizona here. I use a 6" fan blowing across sump helps alot and keep AC at 77 all the time also have the canopy as much open as possible. I have opening in the top of canopy to let the heat rise straight out which also helps alot. Mount the halides 12" above water also helps. A chiller would be the best if you have some where to put it so you dont have to listen to run.

01-13-2003, 08:26 PM	#4
SueT Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Houston,Tex. USA Posts: 544	Seafan, I'm in Houston and know too well the heat our summers produce. Add to that MH lighting and it can make for a lot of heat. I also have a 180 and I use 3 250w 65k iwasaki's and 2 160w vho actinics. I keep sps corals and clams and so I have got to keep the temp down. I have a CSL 1/3 hp. chiller and it has worked the last 2 summers fine. In fact with the cold we have had lately the chiller hasn't been kicking on much. I keep my tanks at 77 degrees. I would be concerned with your set-up and keeping the temp down and not have the AC a bit lower. These 250w MH's will put off some heat. I tried some 400w iwasaki's on my 120 2 summers ago and that has to be the biggest mistake I have made. The heat was unbelievable. I had 2 large fans running and ended up freezing some soda bottles and still turning the lights out in the afternoons. I even have a chiller on this 120 and it didn't make much difference. Good luck with what you decide. We still have a few months til we have to start dreading the heat. my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank: http://berlinmethod.com/suet/ my 120 ecosystem sps tank: http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html

01-13-2003, 11:03 PM	#5
reefer504 Just Moved In Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: New Orleans Posts: 40	Seafan,I am using 2-4inch fans in the canopy.I have a 75g with a 29g sump.Over the main tank I have 2-250 watt MH,4-110watt VHO,and 2-30 wattNO actinics and over the sump I have 2-55 watt compacts.In the summer with the house AC on 70 degrees my tank stays around 82degrees.

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