Question: Cooling

V

ViolentJ

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Surprisingly my tank is sitting at 19.5C at the moment, that's in the UK during spring so it's far from warm outside and the heating isn't on indoors either. I'm using an external filter and the tank lights are off.

I've got a variety of PC fans I could use including a big 250mm fan. My question is... does the fan (or fans) have to blow directly onto the water or will cooling the air above the water help?

I've just taken the hood off to see if this will make any difference first.
 
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Blowing directly onto the water is most effective, as it increases evaporation rates and therefor lowers temperature, using the fan above the surface will not have very much of an impact.
 
Ok, I've fitted the 250mm fan blowing directly down onto the water. The digital thermometer went down to 18C but then crept back up to 18.8C and then back down again etc etc So I don't know what's up with it but at least it's cooler.
 
Hey, I live in London did not think cooling would be a problem but like you I am already struggling to keep temp below 19 and the window is always wide open! I think ill just save up the £400 for a chiller hopefully I can do it buy june!

Where are you placing the thermometer there is a chance the air from the fan is directly hitting it occasionally, also if your tank is large and the current is not very strong the cold water is not circulating properly, I would Leave it a day until the fan is established then you can make more accurate reading.

You could wrap the tank in a cold wet towell and blow fans at it, We use water tanks at my work place and we do that in the summer works quiet well
 
I've got the thermometer probe right at the bottom of the tank but you're right it's probably down to circulation. I'll leave the fan on now until tomorrow and see what it reads then :)

Think I'll have to start saving for a chiller too!
 
Down to 17.3c now but I just heard on the news that the UK is forecast the hottest summer on record!
 
I would not worry we have had 'the hottest summer' in history forecast for the past 7 years I can only remember one good summer, the met office also informed us this winter was going to be quiet mild, there will probably just be a three month blizzard,

update us tomorrow it will be interesting to see how much of a difference the fan makes
 
Depending on the size of your aquarium, you may be able to get a cooler at a much more attractive price. I got one on ebay a few weeks ago for £180, suitable for up to 150l . I was struggling to keep the temperature down here in the north west UK, tank was going over 20C with windows open and heating only on for a hour a day in the morning.
 
I was looking at the Hailea HC-150A last night which is about £190 and suitable for 50L - 400L so I think I'll go for that one when I have some spare cash.

What's the one you bought?
 
Funnily enough, the Hailea HC-150A , hehe. The only complaint I have about it is the noise. Its not really loud, my aquarium is in the same room as my tv and at normal tv volume its not too bad. But in a bedroom or something it could be an issue. It only kicks in when it needs to, so its not noisy all the time.
 
Doesn't give off much heat, can smell it a little if near it when its on, but I think thats just cause its new. Just a warm plastic/dust type of smell. Not sure on the wattage, will look it up later when I get home.
 
Has anyone used the cooling fans that I have seen on ebay???
Just wondering as I cannot afford to buy a cooler.:confused:
 
No but they seem quite expensive for what they are!

This is what I'm using at the moment. Cost me nothing as I already had the wood, 25cm fan and adapter.

 
the one i have looked at is has two fans, and is around £20 I am prepared to get one if I know it is going to do the job. Anyone else got any views on them
 
J i hope you just got my message i'm using it atm n cost a whole lot less then $300 for a chiller and so much easier to make Keeps my tank at 18c easy hotter days as it says add more packs
 
Thanks for that mate. I'll give it some thought, really I wanted something that could control the temp without any input so if I'm out and the tank got hotter somehow I wouldn't have to worry.
 
thats kool mate i never actually thought of that i hve a few house mates that look after my tank if im gone for extened periods... but i do hve stacks of diy stuff like that even got one for a canister filter from pvc pipe lol
 
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