Aquarium temperature control

[Genirous]

...How do you guys keep your planted tanks cool during the summer months?...

...These days we have temperature above 40 degrees celcius!
In my 400 litre tank I manage to keep 27 degrees celcius!
Most of us have found solution with PC 12V fans connected to a digital temperature controller!

Oh... That is very interesting. Can you share more of that with us?...

After discussing the cooling issue with benny, I will present you the solution we have found here in Greece, which is very reliable and very cheap!
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The main idea is that when air hits the water surface, through the evaporation, refrigeration is achieved! So we use PC-fans, which work under 12V-DC harmless for human and aquarium, hitting the tank water surface, cooling it according to our needs... Depending on how many PC-fans we use, half of them "put" air in the tank (between the flap and the water surface) upon the water surface and the others take the air out, to make a natural air flow between and get rid of heating from tank lamps and maximize fan's performance! (minimum use of 2 recommended)
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Of course there are different PC-fan sizes 60x60, 80x80, 92x92 and 120x120mm, the bigger the aquarium the bigger the PC-fans! The transformers we use are mainly 230V/12V, but with adjustment on the Volts from 1,5-3-4,5-6-9-12, to be able to control the fan rotation! Also a plastic grill is recommended, to avoid fishes that jump to hit the propellers! Of course anything metal is stailess steel! The cost for this is almost 20 euro/dollars!
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Here is my aquarium, a Juwel Rio 400, with the fans placed as described! The one put air in and the other take air out! I use 2 PC-fans 80x80 and I have approximately 5 litres evaporation per day...







Of course the more they work, the less the temperature gets...
If the temperature of the atmosphere drops, or we leave our home for the weekend or for more...what will happend to our instalation..?
For this problem we found solution with a programmable 2-output digital temperature controller, used proffesionaly for big freeze machines!

[Nicky]

Other than a forced circulation, how is this different from the method used by most people here, that is, clip a similar box fan on the side of the aquarium.
I love to believe this, but I serious doubt that the fan method can cause a drop of more than 5C, let alone dropping from 40C to 27C.
Cheers.

[Genirous]

So, with the device mentioned above, we have a complete and reliable temperature control, with 2 outputs! The first output controls the PC-fans and takes action when water has reached the programmed maximum temperature limit and the second controls the aquarium heater and takes action at the programmed minimum temperature limit!
This is called "eliwell", an italian manufactured device and the company site is:
http://www.invensyscontrolseurope.co...rolsEurope/it/
the device link is:
http://www.invensyscontrolseurope.co...ACHEHINT=Guest
and the device instructions in English pdf is:
http://www.invensyscontrolseurope.com/NR/rdonlyres/89CDCD18-5F3B-40DD-A354-E6791E3C7F73/0/9IS44012IC915ENG705.pdf
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We have these in our aquariums almost 5 years and they work properly, are very reliable, we are very pleased from the final outcome either in summer or in winter and of course saved us money! The cost of eliwell here in Greece is 50 euro/dollars including the PVC temperature sensor which gives the reading from tank water!

[Genirous]

Other than a forced circulation, how is this different from the method used by most people here, that is, clip a similar box fan on the side of the aquarium.
I love to believe this, but I serious doubt that the fan method can cause a drop of more than 5C, let alone dropping from 40C to 27C.
Cheers.

...The main idea is that when air hits the water surface, through the evaporation, refrigeration is achieved!...

Nicky, of course inside my house there isn't 40-43C, but maybe outside it is more than that!
Without aircondition I must have 35-37C or maybe more and what can I say...just try it!
When you use clip-fans, the only think achieved is air circulation that takes lamp temperature out of your tank...BUT you cannot have good evaporation...through evaporation you can take water refrigeration...
But you must supplement water loss from a R/O unit, or else hardness will climp up...

[sunnydaze]

Cool!! I have been looking for a temperature controller but i guess i did not look hard enough. Since Singapore is more like Summer all year round, a single output like the 912 should be sufficient. Will be making a trip down to Sim Lim Square soon. By the way, GEX/Five plan of Japan also have 12v Fan/Temperature controller set but it only comes in 110V.

[3r4ndo]

hey guys, take a look at my "perfect temperature control" under diy folder, no evaporation and it will cool even if the temperature in the room is 45c and it will warm the water when its cold!!!