Equipment check before I take the plunge into corals

I don't think I can afford a chiller, and can't imagine a chiller blowing hot air in my room.
Any idea how much can a fan bring the temp down to?
Am I correct to say that a chiller is like an external cannister, with an in-built pump inside?
I think I can only keep those low end corals like mushrooms first.

Originally Posted by Cardinal Tetra

I don't think I can afford a chiller, and can't imagine a chiller blowing hot air in my room.
Any idea how much can a fan bring the temp down to?
Am I correct to say that a chiller is like an external cannister, with an in-built pump inside?
I think I can only keep those low end corals like mushrooms first.

If u have lot of submersible powerhead then i guess it'd cool u to 28. It also depends on how long u on the fan, or maybe 24 hrs will be good to keep the temp cool all the time. do take note that the evaporation rate is high once u decide to use fan for cooling.

If u use a fan, evaporation rate is very high, will keep having to top up water. and since you dont have sump, you will be topping water up into the main tank. Might not be a very healthy thing to do.

Secondly what do you mean by you will add your sump a few months from now? Are you using a hang on Ibox? Cos if not.... I would advise you to set it all up at one go.... it will be hell for you and ur corals when u have to dismantle the tank to do the piping for the sump

Originally Posted by typhoon75

If u use a fan, evaporation rate is very high, will keep having to top up water. and since you dont have sump, you will be topping water up into the main tank. Might not be a very healthy thing to do.

Yes, I agree with you its not a good method but no choice. Have to top up 1.5litres every 2 days.

Originally Posted by typhoon75

Secondly what do you mean by you will add your sump a few months from now? Are you using a hang on Ibox? Cos if not.... I would advise you to set it all up at one go.... it will be hell for you and ur corals when u have to dismantle the tank to do the piping for the sump

I'm using external cannister for filtration. Thinking of getting a sump filtration system in a few months.

Originally Posted by Cardinal Tetra

I don't think I can afford a chiller, and can't imagine a chiller blowing hot air in my room.
Any idea how much can a fan bring the temp down to?
Am I correct to say that a chiller is like an external cannister, with an in-built pump inside?
I think I can only keep those low end corals like mushrooms first.

it is not very hot if you have a 4 feet tank. I have one in the room. at night temp in water is quite cool. it will turn on only once the entire night for a few minutes.

Originally Posted by Cardinal Tetra

I don't think I can afford a chiller, and can't imagine a chiller blowing hot air in my room.
Any idea how much can a fan bring the temp down to?
Am I correct to say that a chiller is like an external cannister, with an in-built pump inside?
I think I can only keep those low end corals like mushrooms first.

No chiller don come with a pump , i think it still best to get a chiller. A new resun CL450 will cost about $320 or can try 2nd hand maybe can get it at $200+-.

Originally Posted by Guppies Onli

Sorry to interrupt. But how expensive (I mean how much) are the T5 NO tubes and the ballast for his 3ft requirement? Thank you.

u mean T5 HO?
DIY kit cost ard this price:
http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=159222
24W T5 HO tubes can be as cheap as $15 from aquamarin...

seriously, cardinal, if budget is a constraint, then u go ahead with a fan first loh... DIY from those 120mm size type... try 1 first... see if it can cope with ur temp n u can cope with the evaporation rate...
keepin softies can be a challenge too...
mushrooms do come in lotsa colors n types too...

[Guppies Onli]

Thanks for the infos.

Originally Posted by Clownfish81

u mean T5 HO?
DIY kit cost ard this price:
http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=159222
24W T5 HO tubes can be as cheap as $15 from aquamarin...

I'm using a 55W Maqnum PL on my 2 feet tank, and it was cooled via a small 60mm fan to 26 degrees. Then one day it dropped into the tank and I got a 80mm replacement. Since 60mm is enough, I lowered its power by reducing the voltage from the default 12VDC to just 5VDC. Temperature remains at 26 degrees.

From my past experiences with planted tanks, usually there is no need to get big fans coz evaporation works when there is air movement. You don't need large volumes of moving air. The key is to place your fan at the strategic location, where most air will be moved across the surface of the water. Usually I place it 45 degrees towards the water surface, and across the hypothenus of the surface to achieve maximum water surface agitation. This will excite most of the surface molecules which is the core mechanism for evaporation.