Biocube runs hot

[wshfulthinkn]

I have a biocube, mini-reef, that recently has started to run hot. Room temp that the tank is located in is around 77-78 during the day. During the day the temp in the tank is 85(I know is too warm) and then drops down to 77 at night. The important question is how can I get the temp down? I have turned off the lights on the tank during the day and heater is off. There is nothing around the tank that would generate heat either. I have been wondering if the pump inside of the cube could generate heat if it is starting to fail.

Has anyone else had similar problems?

Should I bite the bullet and get a chiller? Do companies make chillers small enough for a 14 gallon biocube?

I do have other saltwater tanks that are larger and they are not giving me any problems due to temperature.

Thanks.

 

[hud3339]

i am having the same issue right now, but every thing still seems happy

 

[insane_reef_keeper]

I have that issue with my Bio Cube as well. In a smaller system such as a nano it's much harder to maintain a constant temp. Although I do run MH on mine, I don't use a chiller. I probably should... Anyway a smaller chiller might be the answer.

 

[wshfulthinkn]

Silly question, but what does MH stand for?

As far as chiller goes I probably should get one. Maybe someone will have one for sale on this board?

 

[hud3339]

MH=metal halide

 

[insane_reef_keeper]

^^^^
What he said.

Edit: MvM has one for sale atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56341

 

[dan3949]

I was able to solve the temp issue in my biocube only after I installed a small computer cooling fan in the back of the hood to provide convective cooling through the hood. However, this will significantly increase water evaporation (that is why it works so well keeping the tank cool) and requires installation of an auto top off (I installed a float switch connected to a small powerhead that added water when required. This completely solved all temperature problems. I can keep the temperature below 80F all summer (room temp is around 78F).

 

[smallblock]

dan3949;641066 wrote: I was able to solve the temp issue in my biocube only after I installed a small computer cooling fan in the back of the hood to provide convective cooling through the hood. However, this will significantly increase water evaporation (that is why it works so well keeping the tank cool) and requires installation of an auto top off (I installed a float switch connected to a small powerhead that added water when required. This completely solved all temperature problems. I can keep the temperature below 80F all summer (room temp is around 78F).

Agree here 100 percent. You would be amazed how well a fan works. I have mine on a timer untill I bite the bullet and get another controller. Like he said though it will add alot of evap on the system. When my timer failed on my fan the way I noticed it was how long my ATO water was lasting.

 

[liverock27]

Leave the feeding lid open. I have found that just doing this has dropped my tanks temp by a few degrees.
The room it is in also runs around 78 during the day, so I installed an overhead fan in the room and leave it running all the time and that has helped lower the temp in the room.

 

[sts04c]

LiveRock27;641145 wrote: Leave the feeding lid open. I have found that just doing this has dropped my tanks temp by a few degrees.
The room it is in also runs around 78 during the day, so I installed an overhead fan in the room and leave it running all the time and that has helped lower the temp in the room.

+1 to the feed lid open, I do this as well. You could cut some for "vents" in the hood for extra heat to escape...... I may do this soon also.