Marine Tank Cooling

Question
Hi.

I hope you can help.

I live in a block of flats that gets very warm in the
summer. Last year, when the tank was being set up, I just
about got through the summer months without too much
stress.

The warmer months are upon us once again, now I have corals
as well as my fish and inverts.

I can just about make do when I'm here, but I'm
specifically worried about going away on holiday. I go in a
couple of months time, and although I'll have someone
coming in each day to feed them, the temperature issue is
going to remain, and I'm worried I'm not going to be able
to relax on holiday because of it.

I know ways you can cool the tank down, opening the lid,
limiting the amount of hours the light goes on for,
attaching a fan, etc, etc, but all these things you have to
be present for. Ideally, I'm looking for a solution where I
just don't need to worry about it, so if I'm away from the
flat for the day and its hot, I'm not constantly worried
about what the temperature is doing.

I have a 180 litre tank, is there anything you can suggest,
in terms of chillers, where I can just plug it in and let
it do its thing? I know they might be pricey, but I've now
spent an awful lot of money on the tank, it seems pretty
foolish not investing in something, if such a suitable
thing exists, to protect my on going investment in the
tank.

Many thanks.

Best regards,

Steve

Answer
Hello Steve,

Yes, summer is here and it is hot as 'usual'...

I strongly suggest two things.

Buy a water chiller... These are not cheap, and they are expensive to run, like an air conditioner for water... There are two types, drop in, and circulation/flow thru.

They chill the water when the temperature gets too hot...  Most come with a temperature controller that will turn them on when necessary.

The other item especially if you are going on holiday is an Aquarium controller...

NEPTUNESYS.com  neptune systems. has a new model coming out, THE APEX.  It is HOT HOT HOT... but i am not sure of the release date.

They also have the old models, which i use, called the AC3

It has web connectivity and webserver built in that model, they also have th ACjr.. which does not have built in web connectivity


These are high tech timers.. not only are they timers but with logic..

if the temp gets too hot, turn on the chiller, AND turn off lights if the chiller doesnt work,...

That type of stuff

It will also notify you via email or pager that things are not right..

(or if you get good with programing it can notifiy you if things are right, just to give you peace of mind)

Like i said, i have one, and i strongy urge anyone that travels away from thier tanks for business or holiday toget one.

Good luck and let me know what you end up with...


bill