See, this was a huge reason I got the danged canopy - to prevent such rapid evaporation. I was losing maybe 15-20 gallons a week? Does that sound right? By getting the canopy, I've solved the evaporation problem but created this heating problem. gah!
T5HO fixture causing water temp fluxuations?
- Thread starter FL CommunityFan
- Start date
See, this was a huge reason I got the danged canopy - to prevent such rapid evaporation. I was losing maybe 15-20 gallons a week? Does that sound right? By getting the canopy, I've solved the evaporation problem but created this heating problem. gah!
Yikes, what size tank? I lose probably 5-6gal//week on my 55 reef. I ran into the same thing - I wanted the glass tops to protect the lights and reflectors and to prevent evaporation, but with the lights inside a canopy, evaporative cooling is the only way to keep the tank temp down. I even have a 4" cpu fan drawing air out of the top of my canopy.
Raising the fixture away from the tank surface should help with heat (no cost) or you can add a fan to force air which should cool. (there is a cost)
As example see these links.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14701
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13921
I think what's happening with the fixture being on the glass covers it's acting like a big heat sync which would make sense to remove them but you'll have more evaporation. If you want to keep them invest in fans to dissipate the heat.
As example see these links.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=14701
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=13921
I think what's happening with the fixture being on the glass covers it's acting like a big heat sync which would make sense to remove them but you'll have more evaporation. If you want to keep them invest in fans to dissipate the heat.
Evaporation will have a lot of factors. For example I was getting more evaporation when room temp was fluctuating on my programmable thermostat I was dropping room temp to 65-67 degrees cause no one was home, so tank heaters were working harder to maintain temps of 80. I set the programmable thermostat for no fluctuation at a constant 70 and only lose 5-8 gallons a week.
So if your losing 15-20 gallons on a 75 your heaters are working really hard to maintain temps at 80-81 degrees. Consider room temp or drafts in the area.... I battle temp control because it's an exterior wall and the entry door is right there.
So if your losing 15-20 gallons on a 75 your heaters are working really hard to maintain temps at 80-81 degrees. Consider room temp or drafts in the area.... I battle temp control because it's an exterior wall and the entry door is right there.
yes, the room the tank is in (75gallons) is our bedroom which stays chilled.. very much so in the evening times.. 68* generally using an AC window unit.
my lighting is about 2 in off the water and its right on the glass and this is the same for my HO double and my LO double i maintain 80 all the time
Maybe it's the crappy thermometer on the outside of the tank then since my room temp is so low. I'm gonna pick up a glass thermometer this afternoon and see if that helps.
I'll post results in a week or so to see how things are going.
thanks guys!
