Hello new friends! I am an experienced tropical marine aquarium enthusiast. But...I am interested in starting up a colder water system (50-60 degF). My primary question is regarding the probability of condensation problems on the aquarium's exterior. My system will include a chiller, as I will keep the system inside the house. I hope to source specimens such as anenomes, plants, small fish, etc from Northern California waters. What advice or suggestions do my expert aquarium lover buddies have for a new rookie as myself. Thank you all. ChillH2O
Cold water Marine aquariums
- Thread starter ChillH20
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Lupin
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- Sep 21, 2006
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- Paul
Unless you use a glass or very thin acrylic for a very cold tank in a very humid room, you will not have any serious problem with condensation. For example, you will never see a drop of water condense on a 1/4"-thick acrylic tank running at 57F in a moderately humid room. Unless you use a greatly oversized chiller, I would suggest that you use styrofoam sheets to insulate the back and sides. While some temperate aquarium enthusiasts downplay the importance of light intensity in coldwater systems, I would suggest at least a couple of 55W compacts per 24" aquarium length. You may want also to check into seasonal photoperiod (daylength) changes (for NoCal?). Consider installing a large seagrass/kelp refugium or an oversized Carlson surge device for a (pretty dramatic) rocky intertidal set-up. If you plan on doing your own collecting, especially in CA, be sure to review all pertinent laws, as they are strict and enforced.
Here is one of a few good threads on the subject on Aquaria Central:
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123490
Best of luck...
