I’m running a 90g water gets warm help.

Warpigdave · Sep 27, 2023

I set up a 90g FOWLR and my water has been consistently 81-82 despite my room being 75. And I’m trying to figure out why. There are no heaters in the tank or sump. The tank has a full glass lid. A vectra s2 pump running at about 80%. And a 57w uv sterilizer. I thought it could be the sterilizer but after leaving it unplugged for a day my water temp only dropped 1 degree. My next though is maybe the vectra. It’s in a small space in the sump. Not a lot of water flow around it. The sump is kinda small at 18gallon. Not sure what it could be or maybe just a combination of the uv, pump and the lids?

My main concern is the temp for my fish. I’m not sure if they’re ok at that temp fir few months until my room temp drop a little more.

Spare time · Sep 27, 2023

The solid lid can do it. Try a mesh lid. The UV also probably doesn't help.

00W · Sep 27, 2023

Yep remove the lid for a day and then check temp.
You can do a water change with cooler water. Fish won't care.
Try floating some bags of ice in the sump to cool it down a bit. I used to do that often in the summer before we fixed the ac.
My tank ran that warm for weeks and the fish were just fine.

Ben's Pico Reefing · Sep 27, 2023

Are you running t5s or a halide? I know fish only but some may still use. Both add heat. Pumps add quite a bit of heat especually if water level is to low or not sized correctly for tank. Wave makers and circulation pumps as well. Any electronic equipment in the water will increase temp.

Could even be something as simple as the room its in or other electronic devices in room. My room office gets up to 78 sometimes. 80 if I forget the monthly maintenance and A/c drain clog. I keep house at 73. So if you have tank next to computer or other device running alot that can increase as well.

If you it is pump look gor another option. Sometimes adding an air pump can help cool water as well. Removing lid as others to allow evaporation but will need to top off more.

exnisstech · Sep 27, 2023

No lids (or mesh if you have jumpers) and fans blowing accross the water when needed

buruskeee · Oct 4, 2023

It’s probably your oversized UV at minimum flow rate. Run it at night 12 hours on automation.

KStatefan · Oct 4, 2023

Everything in the water using electricity adds heat to the tank.

1112-425XL · Oct 4, 2023

Yup, Lid keeps it all in

JTP424 · Oct 4, 2023

Ben's Pico Reefing said:
Are you running t5s or a halide? I know fish only but some may still use. Both add heat. Pumps add quite a bit of heat especually if water level is to low or not sized correctly for tank. Wave makers and circulation pumps as well. Any electronic equipment in the water will increase temp.

Could even be something as simple as the room its in or other electronic devices in room. My room office gets up to 78 sometimes. 80 if I forget the monthly maintenance and A/c drain clog. I keep house at 73. So if you have tank next to computer or other device running alot that can increase as well.

If you it is pump look gor another option. Sometimes adding an air pump can help cool water as well. Removing lid as others to allow evaporation but will need to top off more.

I'm with Ben on this one, what kind of lights do you have running on this? (I may have missed it noted)

Warpigdave · Oct 4, 2023

JTP424 said:
I'm with Ben on this one, what kind of lights do you have running on this? (I may have missed it noted)

I’m running a fluval marine strip light. I recently added a fan to the sump. Helped a lot.

littlefoxx · Oct 4, 2023

I have the same issue with my 70. I got a fan strip on ebay that clips to the rim and its way better’

Ben's Pico Reefing · Oct 4, 2023

Marine strip shouldnt do that.
If you have heater in tank could it be set wrong or malfunctioning? Many people have had this happen.

If no heater or sure its running correctly,

Do you have a room thermometer or way to check to see what room temp is? Can you tell us any other electronic devices that are in room and how close? Also is there a window you allow light through and is it an insulated window?

I know these are odd to ask but it will help rule out any other outside sources to narrow down to tank.