29 Gallon Biocube Temperature

[Tamw1se]

I'm in the process of starting up my first saltwater tank- a 29 gallon biocube. I've been running now for a week but notice that my temperature changes ranges from 78 to 82 degrees. What is the normal temperature variation on one of the biocubes? What should I do the minimize the variation? I am running the biocube with no modifications.

 

[rc407092]

Before I started running LEDs on mine, I had a similar range of fluctuation. To remedy, I just set my heater at 79.5 without any problems.

 

[Agu]

IME with nanos 78-82 isn't an issue. I actually think (without proof) temp fluctuations result in hardier corals. Over the course of a year my nanos can go as low as 72 and as high as 84, normal daily changes are much less but they've experienced those extremes over the course of a year.

 

[SaguaroSteve]

I'm in the process of starting up my first saltwater tank- a 29 gallon biocube. I've been running now for a week but notice that my temperature changes ranges from 78 to 82 degrees. What is the normal temperature variation on one of the biocubes? What should I do the minimize the variation? I am running the biocube with no modifications.

I'm having the exact same issue as you over here, but first I need to ask you something. What lights do your fans turn on with? Because my two fans only turn on when I flip the first switch and since my actinics run a hour longer on each side of my daylights I swapped the bulbs spots so that now my fans run (rather than only when the daylights are on) whenever the actinics are on (which includes when the daylights are running).

Now for mods...

I've taken out the shield over the fans, hopefully that'll be a little less air restriction and more flow through the light chamber...

If that doesn't work I'm either going to:

• Upgrade the fans.
• Swap the lights out for a DIY LED upgrade kit by RapidLED.
• Get a chiller.

It could be your heater too, I'm becoming suspicious about my Visi-Therm 100W and its internal thermometer...

We're in this together:bounce1:

 

[RedStangGA]

I had the same issue. I swapped out the stock pump for one that used less wattage and that helped by a degree. Next, I bought an MP10 as a powerhead since the motor sits outside the glass. That also helped a degree. Finally, I swapped out the stock bulbs for LED's and that helped significantly. I dropeed from being 81-82 to 77-78. With fall arriving it's now a sturggle to keep the temp up but it was certainly a battle in the summer.

 

[Tamw1se]

Interesting move swapping the light locations so that the fans start running when the actinic lights turn on. My fans do not turn on until the daylights turn on....I forsee a change coming in this area. I'm getting the same temperature temperature range whether the heater is in the tank or not (it is set at 78 when in the tank). I have been looking at the DIY kit from RapidLED but I am having a hard time justifying the $$$$. I am also in the process of setting up a 210 gallon system and most of my funds have been going to this project.

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Interesting move swapping the light locations so that the fans start running when the actinic lights turn on. My fans do not turn on until the daylights turn on....I forsee a change coming in this area. I'm getting the same temperature temperature range whether the heater is in the tank or not (it is set at 78 when in the tank). I have been looking at the DIY kit from RapidLED but I am having a hard time justifying the $$$$. I am also in the process of setting up a 210 gallon system and most of my funds have been going to this project.

After 24hrs of removing the metal shield over the fans and switching the bulb placement the highest temp I had today was 79, to further reduce the heat, as recommended to me by slowwrx137, I'd swap the return pump out for a Hydor Pico pump, its small (about 1/2 the size of the stock pump and smaller than comparable pumps) and puts out 300gph which is the same as the maxi-jet most people swap out. It also operates at 8 watts vs maxi-jet at 20 watts vs stock.
http://www.bigalspets.com/Hydor-Pico...Rank=salesrank

 

[kevl]

If you want to avoid temp variation get rid of the hood, replace with some LEDs that either hang above the tank or have arms. Get a controller such as the Apex Neptune controller. I use it and keep my temp constant between 78.2-78.5 all day/every day. Obviously, if room temp is hotter than normal your water temp will rise.

 

[RedStangGA]

Interesting move swapping the light locations so that the fans start running when the actinic lights turn on. My fans do not turn on until the daylights turn on....I forsee a change coming in this area. I'm getting the same temperature temperature range whether the heater is in the tank or not (it is set at 78 when in the tank). I have been looking at the DIY kit from RapidLED but I am having a hard time justifying the $$$$. I am also in the process of setting up a 210 gallon system and most of my funds have been going to this project.

I have the rapidled kit and consider it money well spent. Understand with your other project though. If you plan on keeping the biocube I'd get it at some point.