How much of a temp swing is to much?

[dcforester1]

I have had my new tank set up for about 2 month, but haven't decided on a heater yet. I have a couple old ones, but didnt want to install them because I wanted something new, and knew I would leave an old one in. Well If you have been following weather in the NE we have had very unseasonable weather the last couple months and my tank has been hovering from 71-80? It has been cold at night, so when no lights, and its cold here it drops. my light is warming it up during the day, but I dont want to create a big issue. I only have 3-4frags in there so I am not worried about hurting my coral, would rather not, but mainly worried about my fish. Are these temps OK. I usually run my tank with a heater, and chiller, so my tank stays 79 usually all year long.

while on the subject could anyone offer opinions on heaters? I had an aquion?? titanium heater for about 5yrs, but dont want to reinstall that. It works fine, but its old. Some have said they didnt trust them, i never had issues. I ordered a Finnex heating tube, but read some bad reviews about that as well, so canceled it. I have 120gal total volume so not sure if I want two smaller ones, or one large. SO curious about sizes and brands.

Thanks for any input.

Derek

 

[Tspors58]

I use the Azoo this is my second one they work great.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Azoo_Titanium_Heater_Titanium_Heaters-Azoo-AZ60067-FIHTTH-vi.html

As far as swings go. My temps have reached 88 with no ill effects on corals and fish. I never drop below 74. Slow swings are ok it is the fast changes that cause tank issues. A gradual 6-8 degree swing over 24 hours is not bad.
Of course high temps and low temps can kill. I have a 150g NO chiller and I remove my heater in the summer. I live in Wisconsin so similar climate.

 

[PhaneSoul]

76 to 86 here.. Lower in thd winter higher in The summer

 

[thegrun]

71 is a little too cold IMHO. I keep my tank at 75.5, although I know several successful reefers (including a TOTM winner) who let their tanks drop to 73 degrees in the winter. Overall I would try to limit the daily temperature swings to 4 degrees, with 75 on the low side and 82 on the high side.

 

[thegrun]

As far as heaters go I like the Eheim Jagger heaters. I would go with two 250 watt heaters. Using two heaters at half the needed wattage is much better than a single heater at the full wattage. If you have two heaters when one goes bad you usually have time to correct the problem before your tank over or under heats. Heaters usually stick in the on position when they go bad which can quickly overheat a tank to the point of killing your livestock.

 

[dcforester1]

Thanks for the replies. I really should get a heater anyway. I would prefer a titanium heater as I am always afraid the glass will break. i am using a controller so not to nervous about it sticking on. It has just been so cold out here. I dropped my kids off to camp for 2 weeks, and swim tests canceled today, 57 degrees and raining. I hate the heat but 70 would be OK, we are almost into July, and waiting to try out my new chiller.

Derek

 

[Isaacs55]

Cobalt neo therm heaters work great! They are super thin low profile. No glass or titanium. I love mine!

 

[thegrun]

On the titanium heater side of things I used a couple of ViaAqua titanium heaters for a few years, for an inexpensive titanium heater they are actually a good unit.

 

[dcforester1]

Cobalt neo therm heaters work great! They are super thin low profile. No glass or titanium. I love mine!

I just check it out, it looks pretty cool. Its about time someone changed the look of them. I have an older Ehiem 500w heater and its huge. I like the look of the Cobalt

Thanks Derek

 

[ajcanale]

From what I gathered this isn't a question of what temperatures are sufficient for reefs, rather, what are permissable swings in temperature to minimize stress. IMO on average +2 degrees in a 12 hour period max.

also IMO the brand of heater is relatively mundane compared to having a quality controller for regarded heater.

 

[daveM100]

On the titanium heater side of things I used a couple of ViaAqua titanium heaters for a few years, for an inexpensive titanium heater they are actually a good unit.

What I use, great for the money, and never any issues either. And they come with their own little controller.

 

[Isaacs55]

I just check it out, it looks pretty cool. Its about time someone changed the look of them. I have an older Ehiem 500w heater and its huge. I like the look of the Cobalt

Thanks Derek

No problem! I would go with 2 heaters. 2 heaters are always best. And yea try to minimize temp swings as much as possible. ..no more then 2 degrees in a 12 hour period. ..or 1 degree in 6 hours.

 

[cmcoker]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2376715

I would look through this thread before putting a Cobalt neotherm in your tank..

 

[DSMpunk]

Personally I will only put Eheim Jagers in my tank. I have used them for over 15 years without a single issue. Not saying they CANT fail of course, but they have a long track record of success.


/knock on wood

 

[bkostuch]

As far as heaters go I like the Eheim Jagger heaters. I would go with two 250 watt heaters. Using two heaters at half the needed wattage is much better than a single heater at the full wattage. If you have two heaters when one goes bad you usually have time to correct the problem before your tank over or under heats. Heaters usually stick in the on position when they go bad which can quickly overheat a tank to the point of killing your livestock.

+1, I have two of these 250 jagers and my temp fluctuates maybe by 0.5 degrees and I am down in GA with the hot summers. AC is usually set to about 71.