Light Height and Heat

[Reefwish]

I have recently converted a FO tank to reef (10 Days and $1200 dollars later :? ). One of the upgrades was lighting. I had 2 40w NO mounted in the canopy. I never had an issue with heat (no surprise). I have now installed 4-65W PC's retro in the same canopy. After only 4 hours the water temp rose from 79 to 82 degrees. Last night I hung 2 battery operated 5" fans blowing across the top of the tank ( I can't believe no one has clipon plug in fans available during January in SoCal!). Anyway, today when I got home from work, the fans seem to keep the canopy and glass moderately cool but the water temp has again climbed to 82 degrees. The bulbs were on from 11:00 to 8:00. I will probably have to install permanent fans but what about the canopy itself? I assumed most were standard 6" tall which places the bulbs 2 1/2" above the glass. Should I look into a taller canopy? And if so, what should the right light height be above the glass? What do most people do to combat this heat issue?

[av8erjeff]

good airflow helps, most radio shacks have some 120v 4" computer fans that work well. Also you may find taking the glass off the top of the tank should help, leaving it open at all times. Also imo I would bring the tank temp up a little to 80 that way the change is less when it does warm up, hopefully u can get it stable at 80.

[Pineapple House]

A second for the fans at radio shack. I would seriously keep a close eye on the temperature, 82 is high, but not exactly high enough to cause serious damage. I would try, as av8erjeff stated, to get some fans in the hood. If posible, I would go 2 fans on each side, for a total of 4 fans. If this doesn't work (which I doubt), you might want to look into a taller hood. How tall is the one you have now, and what are the dementions of it?

PH =)

[Reefwish]

Thanks for the responses. I increased the airflow of the battery operated fans on the second day and after the complete lighting cycle the temp hadn't changed. The canopy is 6" tall(including lid), 50" long, and 14" wide. Fits on a 55G show (48x12x21). I'm pretty sure the fans are the way to go so I ordered a few Ice Cap Themostatic Fans today. Now we'll see what happens in August when the temp out here is 100 to 110!!

[Pineapple House]

Would you ever want to get a deeper hood? If this continues, even with the fans on, July could be a disaster. I lost nearly everything in my tank in July, when the temp rose to 94 degrees F. :shock: so it might be a good idea, if this goes on, to get a deeper hood, maybe 8"

PH =)

[Fiji Live Rock]

Well if he is worried about temp. problems or has temp. problems...he should just get a Chiller. It might cost you a chunk of cash now...but what is better?

$$$ This much cash now?

or

$$$$$$$$ This much cash later to replace all the dead items due to a massive temp. spike?

:?