HEAT ISSUE RESOLVED

[greatwit]

Like others have said, you should be able to get down a few degrees if you install some fans over your sump or on top of your tank. Also, you could consider one less pump.

[fishypets]

I just realized you were on the second floor. You might have to set up a auto-top off and install some variable speed fans. I keep my tank with enclosed canopy and over 900 watts of light at a steady 80 with only two fans.

[matt455]

Press your apartment manager to install a solar screen on the window (or do it yourself). It will knock 15 degrees off the room in the cheapest manner possible.

[GaryP]

Apartments seem to believe in a one size fits all scheme for AC units. The fact is that a 2nd story unti needs a bigger unit then a first floor unit. It has to fight gravity to pump upstairs and you have more exposure. I won't even go into what I went through in a 3rd floor unit. What a nightmare.

The problem with a chiller is that it is going to pump the heat back into the room. On the other hand, a window unit is going to cool the entire room, just to cool the tank. Not really efficient.

Unless you add a chiller, the tank is still going to be primarily cooled by evaporative cooling. The room temp. does not really make as much difference as the humidity in the room. Not only is the humidity from outside coming into the house, the tank itself is raising the humidity. Without any AC, there is no de-humidification going on. The window unit will help with that. When your wife cuts off the AC during the day, the temperature is going up, but so is the humidity. High humidity = less evaporation = less cooling.

This time of the year is the hardest for me to control temp. because the AC isn't running much and the weather is relatively humid.

When we have wild swings in temp. and humidity like we have had in the last few days it makes it even harder. I have had a couple of wild swings in temp. in the last few days and I have finally decided I need a heater in my sump to at help eliminate the downward swings. My fans and heater may end up fighting it out, but at least the swings will be minimized and I won't end up with sick fish as a result.

You may also want to consider adding a dehumidifier too. AC will help when its hot, but not when we are having mild weather and its not running and the outside air is humid.

[brewercm]

What size tank is this.
There are many things you can do to attempt and hope they work or do the one thing that you know will work (chiller). It probably won't run a whole lot more to run as far as energy goes than the windo unit, but may cost you more up front. The benefit is your problem will be taken care of (for sure) and you will have less evaporation per day also. You may get the window unit in and find that with all the pumps and lights you still can't get it down to where you need to be, at which point you now still have to get the chiller.
Look around for someone trying to sell theres or put out a WTB post here, RC, RNR, MARSH. RC may be your best bet, depending on the size you need you may find a new one that will work for you at a decent price.

[Ram_Puppy]

well guys the heat issue appears to be resolved for now.

I had the apartments maintenance guy come out, turns out we have a new one. where all the other guys just jiggled stuff and said 'it feels like it's working fine to me' this new guy realyl knows his stuff.

He came prepared with temp probes he stuck in the vents, and re-calibrated the thermostat.

Then, he went and looked at the AC which has a leak, we think in the compressor.

now that that is fixed, I am getting ice cold air out of the unit!

Here's the specs!

Before he got ahold of it:
Digital thermometer reading 76.6 degrees in the apartment.
Thermostat reading 72
Air coming out of vents - 2 to 5 degrees cooler than what was allready in the apartment.

After he got ahold of it;
Digital thermometer readin 68.6 degrees in the apartment.
Thermostat reading 69 degrees.
Air coming out of vents - 46.2 degrees!!!!!!

I checked the tank before maintenance - 82 degrees.
After maintenance (1 hour) 79 degrees.

When my wife checked a little while ago - 76 degrees, and the heater had kicked on.

YAY!!!!!

I just put my next specimen on hold!

[GaryP]

Not only is your air cooler, your humidity is going to be lower too. See how much difference it makes in your evaporation rate.

[Ram_Puppy]

Yeah, next priority is auto top off...

I have decided to go with solenoid valve and the system here.

http://www.top-off.com/viewitem.php?it_id=16