Aquarium Cooling Solution

Hi Guys, I have the following concept to assist in the cooling of my aquarium what are your thoughts?

Currently my tank temp varies during the day from about 26degC in the morning on a cool day to over 31deg on a hot afternoon. The average temp variation from morning to afternoon is 3 degrees. Tank volume is 300L incl sump. Currently the inhabitants are taking strain on hot days even with additional aeration from airstones. I am aiming to try and maintain the temp to within 1 degree of my required temp eg: 27deg.

I am currently running 2 x 54w t5 Sylvania globes that are on for about 8 hrs a day. At first i thought it might be the lighting that was having a heating effect on the aquarium. So i whipped out my trusty 60mm hole saw and swiss cheesed the back and side of my DIY wooden canopy, in an attempt to ventilate and thereby cool the lighting and thereby the tank.

Unfortunately there has been no change!

I am now considering fitting 3 large PC fans to the right side panel of the canopy over the vents which will blow air over the surface of the water beneath the lights in an attempt to cool things off. (a chiller is just not a viable financial option)

Has anyone tried this before and what were your results? Any advice and comments would be appreciated!

 

they actually sell aquarium coolers which use PC fans as you suggested.. it does bring the temp down 2-3 degs i read..

lots of DIY solns on the net! google is your friend

 

I bought 2x extracter fans size is about 9cm x 9cm works with normal electricity, no need for 12v adaptors. At the local Hardware/elecrtical store.
My canopy is being built, so I dont know if they will work.

 

Ah just took your advice and had a quick google expedition some interesting results! Very keen now to give this a bash! If i can get a 3 degree average drop then i'll be very happy, as it will allow me to keep the tank in the correct range!

 

hey

i have seen this on my tanks as well, then i got myself a timer, and got the lights to run on the timer, my times are.

7:00-12:00
then the lights are off from 12:00-16:00 (missing the hottest time of day)
then back on from 16:00-19:00.

then as i get home, plug my air pump in, and let the air curtain run till its time for the fish to feed (20 mins before 19:00)

and i must say, my Temp is 100%

and to say, that my room is flippen hot, as it has full sun light, and the roof has got think pink in......

 

well 12v fans are way cheeper.. esp if u have one of those adaptors lying around.. go take a look at my DIY Lights.. i use 12v fans for them.. you can get a good idea of the wiring!

actually as easy as connecting a toy motor to a 12v battery

 

Like in a PC, you must have fans that suck air in on one side and fans that push it out, on the other side, to have proper ventilation.

 

Alternately... 3 holes on one side with fans in, 3 holes on other side with no fans. Fans must all be installed either all blowing out, or all blowing in.

 

Here is a nice step by step DIY:
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/diy-projects/3590-make-no-frills-tank-cooling-fan.html

and check this idea:
http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum/showthread.php/31689-DIY-fan-clip

 

What is the price of a 12v PC fan and adaptor? I want to compare it to the R 110 I payed for the 240v fan.

 

its about 40bucks or less.. its voltage can also be changed to vary the speed of the fans.. fans are R10-R200 depending on size etc

 

and one adaptor can power many fans.. obviously dont over load it else it'll slow the speed individually down..

 

3 PC fans (65mm in diameter) from PC shop. R25 each
1 Universal plug in transformer from Builder's (R40 last time I looked)
couple screw and insulation tape: R 40.00

 

Oops already bought them, hope they work. cant wait for the canopy to by finished.

 

Very good. If you now just could get cordless power onto that baby!

 

hey guys just some input, fans are awesome for helping with temp problems, but just remember your evaporation is going to increase like crazy, so just keep and eye on the water levels.

 

Ag nee, That is why I want fans in my canopy. Thought this will keep the evaporation to the minimum... My canopy is a wooden one, will be sprayed with water resisted varnish.
Why is the evaporation increase???

 

Same principle of you blowing on your wet finger to dry it!

 

Thanx, so the moist levels will be less in the tank.
More top up and water changes.

 

I had the same problem with Marines. Had 2x 54watt T5's and 4x 39watt T5's in my canopy. Added two PC fans to the front (the back was open, so it blew over the lights, out the back). The two fans were not enough but did make a 2degrees difference.