Could pump overheat tank?

[Duchess]

A questions for those of you who know more about pumps that I do -- could my pump be the cause of my tank overheating?

My tank's temperature was usually around 80 but it crept up to 86. I pulled the two heaters and replaced them with one new one last night but too late -- today I found my yellow tang dead and the temperature at 86.3. I've unplugged the heater and am floating ice to bring the temperature down.

My return pump is operational but could it be heating the water? I'm getting ready to pull that too.

Ideas on the subject would be most welcome. Thanks!

 

[scotmc]

What kind of pump is it? Yes some pups can raise the temp. I would rule out lighting, since you have a T5 setup. I would watch your salinity with ice, it's going to lower it.

 

[m2434]

My mag drive seems to keep the tank temp 5-6 degrees above room temp. I had a QuietOne pump before and didn't have this problem.

 

[Duchess]

No worries about salinity, I'm floating ice packs. Even if I were using just ice, I'd put it in plastic bags.

Temp is down to 86.

 

[reefergeorge]

My mag 9.5 raises my 90 about 3-4 deg.

 

[mxett]

The pump alone shouldn't contribute that much heat, but wont help o course. Do you run fans to keep the water cooler?

 

[Duchess]

No fans because I haven't had this problem until now. I thought the heaters went bad but maybe my pump is going bad and heating my water.

Temperature 85.8, down half a degree, but I've noticed another fish is MIA. That means tearing the rock apart to find the remains. My work is cut out for me tonight.

 

[Macimage]

How did the heaters come on when the temperature was so high? They should have only come on when the tank got too cold?

Yes, the pumps can add heat to the tank.

I'm sorry about your fish. You may also cool the water pretty quickly by placing a fan blowing on it, but be sure you secure it so that it can not fall in.

Joyce