An idea about heat control

[MaGNuS042]

It seems that my tank is starting to run hot already, by the end of the day its running around 85 degrees. Since we're shooting more for consistency than exact temp requirements, what if i just set the heater to 85 all day and keep my temp there??

It's just an idea, what do you guys think??

 

[Maximus]

If you set your heater for 85, then I can guarantee the tank will be in the 90's at the end of the day, unless you had a chiller.

 

[MaGNuS042]

hmmm, didnt think of that, i guess ill just have to go with fans or a chiller, but a consistent 85 is ok right??

 

[Maximus]

It's a bit high, imo. I would try for 80-82.

 

[MaGNuS042]

Yeah thats where it's been, I was just musing aloud.

 

[jsweir]

Fans are great - I have a ranco dual temp controller that turns the fans or heater on and keep the tank within +- 1 degree of 77. No chiller, but I do set the AC at 76...

 

[Sk8r]

85 is the critical temperature for coral and coralline bleaching. You don't want to go there. I'd set my temp low. I've been asking questions about a Peltier effect cooler but have not gotten many bits of info. (You know: those things that power an in-car ice chest: low power, cool or heat.)

 

[MaGNuS042]

my understanding with those peltier coolers is that they need quite a bit of surface area to work, i used to use one on my CPU back when overclocking was all the rage, do some research on the tech sites and u should find some info, HardOCP.com is a good one, im not sure how available the coolers are though

 

[JB NY]

I'd try to not have the temp go over 83F. Nothing bad will happen if it goes over that temp but it's a good place to try and have as your upper limit. If something happens and the temp goes another 1-2 degrees over that point you are still generally ok, and not at risk of over heating the tank. If you keep it at 85F another few degrees and you are the trouble area IMO.

 

[drock59]

JS weir, where can I get such a temp controller?

 

[jsweir]

I bought mine on ebay. The dual channel will control both

Mine is Ranco model #ETC-211100-000