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Help - air conditioner died!!!

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by beckerj3, Jul 23, 2011.

  1. beckerj3 Expert Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +617 / 2 / -0
    Our air conditioner died yesterday afternoon.  There are 2 air conditioners for our house - one for the upstairs and one for the main level and basement.  The upstairs unit died yesterday - and we don't know yet when a new one will be installed.  My guess is that it will be a few days, best case.  So - looking for help / ideas on killing everything in my display tank - as it is upstairs.  We've already lowered the setting on the main level.  But the upstairs is still at 83 this morning - so I'm sure it will only get warmer when the temps rises today.  I've turned out the lights.  I've got a fan - but all that does is circulate the warm air.  It won't lower the tank temp below the room temp.  I know I could float bags of ice - but I don't think that will be very successful to do round the clock.    Tank is 75 gal plus 20 gal sump.  Any ideas?????
     
  2. Bud Loves Bacon Website Team Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member Vendor

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +1,823 / 14 / -0
    Evaporative cooling should actually lower the temp down below the room temp as it removes more energy than just moving air across the glass and lowering temp to room temp. Put the fan right next to the top of the tank. You should still be able to run the lights also. Get about 3 or 4 2L pop bottles and fill with RO/DI (in case they leak) about 90% and freeze and rotate through the sump. Those drop temp crazy fast.

    Also consider that your tank temp going up to 83 may not be all that critical, read this:

    http://www.ronshimek.com/salinity_temperature.html

    Average reef temp this time of year is in the lower 80s. O2 dropping shouldn't happen with the fan blowing across the top and skimmer running. I think you'll be fine as long as it doesn't go over 84-85, but it depends on the origin of your fish and corals, and what their tolerance ranges are.

    STAY COOL!
     
  3. Waverz

    Waverz Expert Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +5 / 0 / -0
    Good advice right there. 
     
  4. Gordo

    213
    Dallas Center
    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0

    You can always freeze bottles of water, or gallons depending on tank size /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif.  It's a short torm fix.
     
  5. sblomgren

    sblomgren Well-Known ReefKeeper

    424
    Ratings:
    +2 / 0 / -0
    I do have a couple window air conditioners you could use. I have a 8000 and 7000 btu. let me know if you want them.

    5152917326

    sean
     
  6. FishBrain Expert Reefkeeper

    New London
    Ratings:
    +399 / 6 / -0
    I would take Sblomgren up on his offer. But what everyone else said will also get you by.
     
  7. beckerj3 Expert Reefkeeper Board of Directors Leadership Team GIRS Member

    West Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +617 / 2 / -0
    Thanks everyone for your responses.  And thanks Sean also for your offer, but unfortunately its not a workable solution either.  We thought about it, but our windows are Pella windows that crank out.  So, no way to add a room air conditioner w/o taking out the whole window & doing some construction work.   I was talking to Matt (Ninja) this morning and he offered to loan me his chiller, that he's not using at the moment.  So I took him up on his offer and am in the process of setting it up.  Also moving my two small tanks (10g & 15 g) to the main level - so they will be ok.    My husband said that the A/C unit might not get replaced until latter part of next week.  Thanks again - and special thanks to Matt!
     
  8. ninjazx777 Experienced Reefkeeper

    Des Moines, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 1 / -0
    Your welcome
     
  9. saltwaternewbee

    saltwaternewbee Inactive User

    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    Good job Matt and another crisis averted.
     

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