Is a 3-4 temp swing b/t night and day bad?

[Dave & Monica]

Is a 3-4 temp swing b/t night and day bad?

Temp at night - ~78.3 after the HQI's go out at 6 PM, it's 80.8... sometimes as high as 81.4. I know the temp itself isn't to high but what about the swing?

 

[freddie40]

The swing isn't necessarily bad, however, this is mild weather. Temperature is easy to control with fans and/or a chiller. I have a chiller controller for sale ($10) if you are interested.

Dave

 

[Dave & Monica]

Appreciate the offer but I honestly don't have the room for a chiller. I recently installed a fan that comes on when the hqi's are on. I usually keep the house comfortable with AC when the outside temp goes up. A recent purchase of a digital temp seems to always catch my attention so I'm paying much more attention to the temperature.

 

[freddie40]

The chiller controller controls anything that you plug into it, i.e. fans, chiller, TV, ect. With the controller you can keep your temp more stable even using fans.

Dave

 

[68RUSTANG]

A lot of us use a fan on top of the sump during the summer months. This cools by evaporation, so if you don't have a auto top off this could be a pain. Dave is suggesting that you can hook the controller to a fan on your sump, and it will run only when needed. I use the cheap plastic fans that cost around $5.00.

Hope this helps!

 

[rmougey]

A swing of a few degrees, as noted above, is not significant. The ocean has many cold currents that corals and fish get exposed to. The highest temperature is what is most significant. preferably under 82. If you find your tank exceeding 85-86, you need to reduce the thermal load on your tank, or remove heat by using a fan or a chiller.

-Rob

 

[pherbert]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12259780#post12259780 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by freddie40
I have a chiller controller for sale ($10) if you are interested.

Dave

If Dave and/or Monica are not interested in pursuing the controller, I would happily take it off your hands. What model or brand is it?

I'll PM you my info - Thanks.

 

[spstimie]

drop the tank to 76 @ night so it won't get over 82 during the day. plan on running the ac this summer with no chiller.

 

[freddie40]

Dave & Monica have a unique situation. Their tank in in a very tight space with 2-15- watt MH & 4-30 watt fluorescent bulbs. Chillers and fans will be difficult for them to use. I think their best choice at the moment it to upgrade to T5 bulbs. They will get more light output and have less heat issues.

Dave

 

[Leandrae]

My tank temp also fluctuates between 81 with the lights on and 77 with the lights off and was thinking about replacing my heater (either it's not working or it's not big enough)

I have the heater and my fan banks plugged into a reefkeeper 2. The heater comes on if the tanks hits 79 and shut off at 80. The fans come on at 80.5 and off at 80 (or something like that, I can't remember without looking at it). The fans do a great job keeping it below 81, but the heater has trouble keeping the tank at the temp it's set to.

I also never really kept track of the temps when I just had the little thermometer in the tank (I honestly don't think I ever looked at it really)

Of course, it's not summer yet, so we'll see how well this works then.

-Janel

 

[freddie40]

Janel,

I have my heater set slightly above the point where my aquacontroller turns it off. That way I know it will stay in my set temp range. Try turning yours up a bit.

Dave

 

[Leandrae]

The heater itself is set to about 81 or so if I remember right. I'll have to check it later. I also plan on touching it to see if it feels warm at all which will tell me if the thing is even working. Right now the tank is at 77.4 degrees. If the heater is working, it should be nice and warm to the touch.

I'm waiting until I get more awake and then I'll start my tank stuff for the day =)

 

[Leandrae]

Well, the heater is working...it was very warm when I touched it. I'm guessing it's just too small for the tank itself. I probably won't worry about it too much. I imagine in the summer time I'll be glad for it!

-Janel

 

[freddie40]

How big of a heater, how big of a tank. hat barnd?

Dave

 

[Leandrae]

120 gallon Tank
40 gallon breeder sump
Total volume around 150 gallons

Heater is maybe 100 - 150 watts? Not sure
Brand is whoever makes the Stealth brand

When the tank is off, it heats up the sump within minutes.

-Janel

 

[freddie40]

It s too small. I think I have a 250 for 80 gallons total volume.

Dave

 

[rmougey]

Basic rules of thumb:

- 3 watts per gallon for an inside wall
- 5 watts per gallon for an outside wall (depending on insulation)

2 smaller heaters are safer than one big heater. So if your tank needs 300 watts, add 2 x 150 watt heaters. If you are using an external temperature controller, this rule does not necessarily apply.

-Rob

 

[freddie40]

Hey, go figure, 3 watts per gallon x 80 gallons = 240. And I have a 250. It is on an inside wall, I do have an external controller.

Dave

 

[Dave & Monica]

Thanks Rob - good info on calculating watts. Mine is underrated from what is stated but it's been the same now for the last two years and it always keeps up.... so you know what they say, if it's not broke, don't fix it.

 

[PotHuntR]

Dave I don't think your tank qualifies as an outside wall