Question: Which is worse??

My tank sits consistently around 72-73 degrees, which I know this is too high, so I purchased a tower fan and attached it to the wooden hood on my tank. The problem is that the fan is creating a LOT of surface agitation. The plus is my temp dropped almost 10 degrees in less than 24 hours. I'm at a loss as to which is worse for my axies: high temp with low agitation, or low temp with high agitation.
I also added a bubble wall for oxygenation, and I'm wondering if I should remove it since it causes water movement. I have a submersible filter with a built-in spray bar, but it attaches to the glass with a bracket and I can't turn it to flow against the glass. I did put it behind the driftwood, which disperses the water flow from a couple of the outputs on the spray bar.
I have also noticed that my axies don't seem to be themselves since I added the fan. They are very lethargic and don't swim around like they always have. They used to follow me when they saw me and were hungry, but now I have to find them in the tank to get them to eat, which is a pain because they invariably are in an awkward spot.
I would appreciate any advice on changing any of these things, but a chiller is out of the question! I'm a full-time student and a live-in caregiver for an elderly relative and I simply cannot afford to spend that kind of cash any time soon.
Thanks!!

Can you show us a photo of how the fan is set up please and the tank please :}

Reducing the water temperature is important. Hopefully once we see the photo's we'll be able to offer more advice.

The fan is attached to the wood top with plastic zip ties. It's the black thing you can see on the top of the photos.
I think the water movement is visible in the photos.