Chiller or fans

[Mikef1]

I currently have 3 175 10k mhs and 4 96 watt pcs over my 150 reef. I am going to add 2 400 watt 20k mhs to it. Currently I have 2 fans in my canopy one blowing air and the other fan sucking the hot air out. My tank stays around 79-80f. Do you think it would keep it cool if I add 2 more fans the same way I have the other ones. The 400s wont be on but 4 hours.

 

[LA-Lawman]

hi,

is your tank glass or acrylic? how high are the MH's from the water? do you have a glass lid on the tank? (if glass tank)

what is your temp flucuation now.....?

the more fan you use to cool your bulbs the better. they last longer and run more efficient.....

-hth

ben

 

[Mikef1]

The tank is a 150 gal glass tank and no I dont have lids and I am not planning on getting them because they cut down on light, if they didnt I would. I ussually only go from 77-79 or 80. Thanks

 

[Mikef1]

I am getting my 400s tommorow any ideas. I was thinking 2 more muffin fans and some type of portable fan blowing air over the sumps.

 

[texasreefer]

I would try a small clip onfan over your sump. You could also try a couple of more fans in your canopy.

 

[aliendomain]

Thin glass shouldn't reduce the quality of the light enough to make much of a difference if it is kept clean. Glass will filter out some green and UV light but the spectra that your corals and clams use will get through. This could help if the two additional fans don't do the trick.

 

[Mikef1]

I have also been tald that when you cool your bulbs to much with fans they can begin to loose there color temp in about 2 or 3 months. Has anyone heard of this.

 

[aliendomain]

Bulbs work and last better when cooled as much as possible as does anything electrical.

 

[Mikef1]

Thats what I thought originally until I heard that it can change the color temp they run at. The guy I know says he has 2 175 10ks over his 30 gal and has 2 fans blowing on them. Withing the first 2 months they became 9ks or less.

 

[wickerj]

Is the back of your canopy open at all?
I'd have 2 or 3 4" fans blowing in. By blowing air across the top of the water you will gain more evaporation which will cool the tank.

Jeff

 

[Mikef1]

The back of my canopy is not totally open but has a gap a 4inch gap between the tank and the canopy back. It also has a big hole cut out in the back for my over flow box. Any ideas. I am going to by a clip on fan a target to blow over my sump.

 

[Tanger]

I have a 90 and needed to add a 6 inch clip fan to help with the cooling for the halides. Have it blow right across the top of the tank between the lights and surface. I would also add the muffin fans to help. You could always cut back if needed. Good Luck!!

 

[Mikef1]

Tanger, what is the temp of you tank at the end of the light shift

 

[bdr127]

I have a 90g with 2x400W MH and 2x96W PC actinics under a hood. Seems dangerous... but I have two 4" muffin fans at either end of the hood blowing in, plus a clip-on fan blowing into the sump. You can get that 7" clip-on fan at Wal-Mart for only $7. With this cooling, I manage to keep the temp down between 77-80 F.

 

[Mikef1]

Thanks , right now I have one on each end with one blowing air and the other sucking the hot air out, what do you think of this idea have you tried it? I was thinking of getting one more fan on each end doing the same thing and also getting the clip fan for over my sump. Has the color of your bulbs changed quicker than ussual because of the cool air blowing on them and making them run at a cooler temp. I have heard this is a problem with fans. What do you think?

 

[bdr127]

I would not recommend any fans blowing out... The reason being that salt buildup will occur in your fans. You really don't want that for your fans. As long as you have any kind of place for the air to escape, only blowing in is best.
I have found my sump fan, however, to be the biggest bang for my buck... cools the tank more than the hood fans.

 

[Mikef1]

I just went out shopping for a clip on fan and couldnt find one. I went to wal-mart, office depot, stamples office supplies and a local store. Any ideas.

 

[Tanger]

Mike F, not sure what you mean but will try to answer. In the summer months the clip on fan is needed more than ever. Meaning the tank is borderline chiller necessary, 82-84 degrees. In this time of year the temp stays where I put it, 79-81. The clip on fan does help alot and the Medusa controller also helps control temp swings. When the halides go out the fans run for 1 hour then shut down. Then the actinics go out with the temp a steady 81 degrees. Does that help any???

 

[texasreefer]

I just went out shopping for a clip on fan and couldnt find one. I went to wal-mart, office depot, stamples office supplies and a local store. Any ideas.

Keep trying Wal-Mart they are just now stocking fans again for the coming summer months. I was looking for anoother one and the store by me just got them in the other day.

 

[Mikef1]

Was it a 110v or a 12v fan