Is a chiller really needed?

[rutz81]

As of yet, I haven't really found the need for a chiller. In the winter my temp. fluctuates between 80 and 82.5. Summer, it goes from about 79-84 on a hot day. My SPS seem to be fine, good color, pretty decent growth(running 175's, so I don't expect grow out rates), fish seem ok. What would I be noticing if my temperature was fluctuating too much, or going to high? Basically, should I consider getting a chiller to keep it closer to one constant temp. or should I go with the, "If it's not broken, don't fix it" approach?

TIA,
Dave

 

[rutz81]

Also, has anyone noticed a tremendous difference in, say for example, growth? Or anything else once they began using a chiller?

 

[szesteve]

A chiller is not always necessary, only if you can keep your temperature stable.

Ideally, you don't want the temperature to fluctuate too much. Your SPS may be fine now, but over time they may get stressed and you may lose some.

I don't have a chiller on my 30gallon either but I have 2 computer fans that are hooked up to a Ranco controller. The temperature on my tank stays between 80 and 81 all day.

 

[rutz81]

In the winter my temp. fluctuates between 80 and 82.5. Summer, it goes from about 79-84 on a hot day.

Is this too much, though? What this overtime effect my corals in a negative way?

 

[Kip]

you winter variance seems fine.. but i would close the gap on that summertime reading

i have about 1600w over my tank... so a chiller is a must in the summer for me. did some homework... costs me less to run the chiller than it does to cool the house (outside of the purchase price of the chiller, which isnt much of a consideration for me because i wanted one as a failsafe anyways)

 

[rutz81]

Anyone else with first-hand experience in the difference it made in your tank after closing your fluctuation gap? I have read a few different times that ocean temps fluctuate all day, every day.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7347347#post7347347 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rutz81
Anyone else with first-hand experience in the difference it made in your tank after closing your fluctuation gap? I have read a few different times that ocean temps fluctuate all day, every day.

Yeah, I've seen the same thing. These corals go from water, to being high and dry, with heavy sun, etc. I can't really see a couple degrees temp swing causing much issue with them.


What i'd worry about with temp swings is that the oxygen saturation point of water changes quite a bit with temp...

 

[redFishblue]

The temp might fluctuate in the reef but the water parameters probably are pretty steady all the time. Since a reef tank can't replicate that precisely, temp. fluctuations might be the thing that pushes a stressed coral over the edge.