New 10g is overheating.. Help!!

[Wingnutt021]

I have a 10 gallon tank with the eclipse hood on top. I am having trouble controlling the temperature. It has steadily increased to about 84 degrees now, killing one coral and making my mushrooms ball up. I need help loweing the temperature hopefully without dropping 300 bucks on a chiller.

Any suggestions???

 

[newbie2sw776784]

i have heard to put ice in a back and float it

 

[Wingnutt021]

Thanks for the suggestion with the ice. I was contemplating that as an option.

I did find something that immediately alleviated the problem. I opened the back flap of the hood and placed a small canopy cooling fan over the water. The water temp went back to a normal 78.

Hopefully the drop in temp wasn't too severe for the community!

 

[Anonymous]

The fan is the best long term solution, but watch your evaporation rate-it will increase.

 

[Wingnutt021]

Can I use distilled water to replenish the evaporated water? I don't have an RO/DI filter and use the premade seawater for water changes..

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, and it is CRITICAL you test the SG/add makeup fresh water on that tank every day! Nanos evap quickly and those SG swings will really screw up the inhabitants.

 

[Wingnutt021]

The open hatch/ small fan solution worked perfect! The water is now about 76 with the lights off all night...

Thanks for the reminder to keep an eye on the sg. It actually was pretty high this morning... After a 16oz water change (I do 16oz changes every other day as opposed to a gallon a week to keep the trace elements fresh) and adding about a half gal. of distilled water, the reading came down to 1.028, but is still a little high. After a few more days, I'm sure it will be back to normal!



Thanks for your help... I'm brand new to saltwater, and I'm still finding things out.

Here's another simple question for everyone...

The outside glass is very streaky from the saltwater running down, and me trying to clean it up. What is the best way to keep the outside glass clean and clear?

 

[Anonymous]

straight white vinegar on a paper towel will fix that problem

 

[Wingnutt021]

Thanks again!

 

[Wingnutt021]

Glass is clear as day now... the vinegar tip was great!