MH generating too much heat. Go to VHO?

[miktrav2]

Hello guys,

My175 w dual MH unit appears to be generating too much heat. The tank temp shot up to 90 yesterday. I'm thinking of building another top for my DIY hood and purchasing an ICECAP 660 DIY kit on Saturday. Then I can swap that out during the winter or just getting rid of the MH and sticking with the VHO. Is this a good idea? I don't want to have to spend $600 for a chiller so can someone suggest something? I thought that I could get by on the MH heating issue by having an open back hood and no glass top to trap the heat. What other options do I have? How are you guys cooling your tanks?

Mike

 

[liquid]

How about throwing a couple 100 CFM fans on your canopy instead of switching out to VHO? An open back alone won't get rid of your problems but the addition of fans will take care of it. http://www.hosfelt.com/ has a number of good 4 5/8" muffin fans that will work great for your application:

http://www.hosfelt.com/Fans/115vac.htm

Shane

 

[danmhippo]

If you have a sump, use a couple clip-on fans directing air at sump surface for evaporation. Also, directing some Powerheads toward water surface to increase surface agitation, which will also aid in evaporative cooling.

If you don't want to spend $600 in a chiller, how about a portable airconditioner for $250? Something that everyone in your house could use.

However, if you prefer a coralline infested tank, maybe VHO is a better alternative for you. But whatever route you decided to take, do this experiment: Turn off all lights for a day and measure water temp at various time of the day. My guess is MH certainly will contribute heat to your water temp, but so would the ambient room temp, humidity, and insufficient room ventilation.

 

[Marcosreef]

If you don't want to spend $600 in a chiller, how about a portable airconditioner for $250? Something that everyone in your house could use.

I have a 600w A/C unit in my room and has a digital thermostat, and controls the air temp ahh so nicely! Set me back less than $200, way cheaper than a chiller! And helps with the high humidity in the room as well.

Regards, Marco

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the above post. I have 2-175 and 2-110 VHO's on my 75. They are packed into a standard 6" hood. 2 computer fans from radio shack in the canopy, both blowing in, and a clip on fan in the sump. Tank temp stays at 80.

FWIW-I have cental air in my house and keep the house at 77, year round.

HTH

Louey

 

[miktrav2]

I have Central Air but it's not on when we're at work. When I get home the room temp is at 84 the tank temp is hovering around 90. I'm going to try the fan idea and see what happens. If that doesn't work either I'll move the tank to my basement where it's a lot cooler or turn the Central air on while we're at work.

Thanks for the suggestions,

Mike

 

[SPC]

I have Central Air but it's not on when we're at work. When I get home the room temp is at 84

-Hmmm, I think we have discovered the problem. :wink:
Steve

 

[miktrav2]

I think the AC being off is only a part of the problem. I also have a freshwater planted tank in a different room of the house where the temp is the same as the room with the reef tank and that stays at around 82 - 84 with no fans and very little surface movement. That tells me it has to be the lights that's causing it.

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

I also have a freshwater planted tank in a different room of the house where the temp is the same as the room with the reef tank and that stays at around 82 - 84 with no fans and very little surface movement. That tells me it has to be the lights that's causing it.

A reef tank is not compairable to a freshwater planted tank. I think steve's comment has much validity. Can a planted tank handle 90 degrees? A reef cannot! I do not know the in's and out's of a freshwater planted tank though. :wink:

You could go with the icecap, but MH is much better for SPS and clams. I have seen much better SPS growth since I changed from VHO to MH-VHO combo. You must decide what you want to grow in your reef.

IMHO

Louey

 

[Marcosreef]

I also have a freshwater planted tank in a different room of the house where the temp is the same as the room with the reef tank and that stays at around 82 - 84 with no fans and very little surface movement. That tells me it has to be the lights that's causing it.

Mike

Powerheads, pumps, filters, all add extra heat to a reef tank that a FW tank may or may not have.

Yes it's very likely that the MH's are adding to the heat. But MH is awesome, and everyone here want's you to keep em'!

Try the fans, they are a big help, also it will help with O2/CO2 exchange as well.

Regards, Marco

 

[miktrav2]

Hello guys,

A quick update. Yesterday after reading the suggestion I went to Odd Job and bought a clip on fan for $5. To day I got home and the room temp is 86 the tank temp is 80. Gotta love evaporative cooling. Now I don't have to move the tank or splurge for more lights unless I want to get rid of the NO actinic and put in VHO actinic instead. Thanks for the advice.

Mike

 

[Anonymous]

Ahh! Now your on to something!

Now get ready to replace all that evaporated water! 8O

Louey