Chiller or better light?

[Darrel24]

So my tank is not in a good condition corals are dying amd im in a losy between getting a chiller cause my tanks ussual tempratire are at 28-29C so not ideal or getting a better ligjt cause mine is really cheap and not that good if i get the ligjt i could also get some other things for mh tank like better test kits a doser a filter roller or a skimmer what do you think?

 

[BeanAnimal]

29 is pushing the upper edge of safe, but without other details it will be hard to advise you.

Tank size?
Current light?
Average room temp?
Type of coral you wish to keep?

 

[Darrel24]

29 is pushing the upper edge of safe, but without other details it will be hard to advise you.

Tank size?
Current light?
Average room temp?
Type of coral you wish to keep?

20g, sp20 a 20w reef light, abt 30-31, mostly lps maybe a monti or two in thw future

 

[BeanAnimal]

You are likely going to need a bit better light, but with that warm of a room, the temperature is going to be a real issue and adding more light or equipment is going to add more heat.

I would do something about the heat first. Evaporation can be very efficient but at those temperatures a chiller is a much safer option. I would opt for a 1/15 horsepower phase change chiller, not a thermoelectric chiller. You have a lot of delta between room temp and tank temp.

I am not sure what is available in your country.

 

[mmorrison55]

Yeah… thats some HOT water in your reef tank.

The best temperature for a reef tank is 78°F to 80°F (25.5°C to 26.5°C), with many hobbyists targeting 78°F or 79°F as a sweet spot.

I run mine a little colder @ 77 F (25 c).

I live in Florida, which is a similar hot and humid environment as yours. But I think you have longer periods of heat and humidity. We at least get a few months of reprieve.

If you can’t get a chiller, have you tried to jave a fan blowing across your display and sump?

That would be cheaper than buying an actual chiller, but to be honest, I don’t know if it would be enough. You need to drop some c’s.

 

[Darrel24]

Yeah… thats some HOT water in your reef tank.

The best temperature for a reef tank is 78°F to 80°F (25.5°C to 26.5°C), with many hobbyists targeting 78°F or 79°F as a sweet spot.

I run mine a little colder @ 77 F (25 c).

I live in Florida, which is a similar hot and humid environment as yours. But I think you have longer periods of heat and humidity. We at least get a few months of reprieve.

If you can’t get a chiller, have you tried to jave a fan blowing across your display and sump?

That would be cheaper than buying an actual chiller, but to be honest, I don’t know if it would be enough. You need to drop some c’s.

I live in indonesia so its basically summer year round but yes i do have some chilller options from like hailea resun and so on

 

[Gungo]

Get the chiller, I've been using the chinese ones for quite some time and they work just as the others:

 

[Reefer Brent]

Is the room air conditioned. A supplemental AC like a mini split would cool you and the tank.

 

[Darrel24]

Get the chiller, I've been using the chinese ones for quite some time and they work just as the others:

I dont think i have the option to get those my options are from hailea resun and so on if thwre are those ones here i wouldve bought them they are half the price of other chillers

 

[Darrel24]

Is the room air conditioned. A supplemental AC like a mini split would cool you and the tank.

Would i need to turn it on 24/7?

 

[BeanAnimal]

Would i need to turn it on 24/7?

Yes, the room would need to be much cooler 24/7. Without a chiller and that much of a delta, the tank will track the room temperature.

 

[HackBetty]

While you are deciding what to do, freeze some bottles with water in them and them float them in the tank (closed of course). I have a 180 gallon and have 8 bottles in rotation. Its not hot enough where I live to justify a chiller. But its works as a temporary solution.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think both... your water is too warm for a lot of corals, and honestly, a 20 watt light is not going to grow anything. Sorry for the double whammy, but on a small tank like that I think the temp is easier to handle with a fan blowing across the top and frozen water bottle or rodi ice cubes. But there is no way to get around poor lighting except to upgrade. IMO. Good luck