new metal halide temps of tank

[markandkristen]

81.5-82.2 tank temps is this ok ive heard anything up to 84 is ok.
all the books on corals seems to be in a tropic region. i can't imagine the water being 75 all the time could be wrong though

 

[jefathome]

You should be fine up to 85 as long as you don't drop too low at night.
I'd say 81 at night with 85 max during the day is about as much swing as I'd be comfortable with.

 

[DJChesnutRabbit]

That's about what my tank runs with HM. It's been like that for a couple moths now with no ill effects.

 

[cschweitzer]

A four degree swing would definitely be on the high side. A two or less degree swing is best if possible...Just run a fan over sump/top of tank only during the day and keep a heater on only at night to make sure it remains stable as possible.

 

[markandkristen]

i have also put my skimmer on a timer while my lights are on my skimmers turn off to help with heat they come back on after the halides are off. this helps with feeding the corals as well.

 

[cham]

Can you stagger the MH cycle.


Like putting them on for three hours, then off while actinics only for two or three hours and then MH back on for another two or three.

That will keep the overall temps lower, allowing your fans time to catch up and should lower your swings too.

 

[Stoney Mahony]

How many dang halides do you have on there ? I have 2 400w on my 55 and it doesnt get over 80. Inside temp in house is ~75 and the tank goes from 78-80. Whats your inside temp? I would use a large fan like a honeywell turbo fan($10 from wallmart) and aim it at the sump to force more evap cooling. As long as you dont have a big swing, higher temps will be fine- Just be sure to acclimate any new corals slowly so that they can adjust to your tank temps. I would also get a temp controller (I like Ranco) so you dont have to always adjust your equipment. Good luck!

 

[InLimbo87]

Those temps are nothing to be worried about. I personally wouldn't start worrying till they get over 83-84ish.

 

[reefnfish]

I agree with Craig on this. Large temp swings are killers in reef tanks. I did bite the bullet and bought a chiller about a month ago and have less than one degree deviation between my hottest (78) and my coolest (77.6). My corals just seem so much happier. Exp. my xenia and softies.

 

[reefnfish]

oh yes - forgot the best part

.........and less algae!

 

[Stoney Mahony]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9515106#post9515106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefnfish
I agree with Craig on this. Large temp swings are killers in reef tanks. I did bite the bullet and bought a chiller about a month ago and have less than one degree deviation between my hottest (78) and my coolest (77.6). My corals just seem so much happier. Exp. my xenia and softies.

What kind of controller are you using . ?

 

[jnb]

not sure that letting water sit in your skimmer for those hours is a good thing - when you turn it back on it dumps water that is not in the best condition back in the system unless you have water circulating thru it

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9513658#post9513658 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by markandkristen
i have also put my skimmer on a timer while my lights are on my skimmers turn off to help with heat they come back on after the halides are off. this helps with feeding the corals as well.

 

[reefnfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9515187#post9515187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Stoney Mahony
What kind of controller are you using . ?

Built in - it's an Artica 1/4 hp. I have a stealth heater in my sump to keep the lower temp up. I bought the chiller on xxxxxxx.com for $xxx.00. It's the only chiller with a full 2 year waranty - which was important to me since I had a custom sealife AND a current prime that have pooped out on me in the past.

 

[markandkristen]

so leaving the skimmer with a gallon of water for 6 hours is bad..

 

[bbehring]

Not to highjack the thread here buy any smaller fan recommendations for blowing across a sump/fuge than the honeywell turbo fan? Maybe something that could be mounted inside the stand or maybe cutting a 4" fan into the side of the stand, just above the sump (similar to the hole you would cut and mount a fan in a canopy), would work? I don't have all that much room under my stand and don't want a fan sitting directly over the sump/water.

 

[chrisstie]

You could jury rig a computer fan or 3

and yes I wouldn't turn a skimmer on and off.. Mine runs 24\7.. You could always look into pump options- some run cooler than others..

For example in my AP 12g the stock pump runs a good 3* higher than the MJ900 I replaced it with.. tank temps dropped after changing it out.

 

[jnb]

if no water is circulating thru the skimmer the water can't help but degrade to some point, perhaps there is enough benefecial bacteria to handle some of this but it is just a thought to keep in mind - could turn it off for the 8-12 hours and take measurements orp, ph, no3 - i don't think it would cause much harm to your liefe, it might just not help a bunch - then there is the issue of turning off a skimmer and the work is missed out on - i have a fan that blows across my mh fixture that comes on when the temp of the water starts to rise - the fan sweeps away heat caused by the mh and cools the water thru evaporation - it is contolled by my aquacontroller - if left on it can take the water tempature down to 75 when my house temp is 79 with the mh's on.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9519376#post9519376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by markandkristen
so leaving the skimmer with a gallon of water for 6 hours is bad..

 

[jsl6v8]

I would leave the skimmer running as well, also rigging some computer fans is easy as pie, assuming you use wire cutters to cute pie. Just run over to that space ship place, I feel certain someone will come on and say he means xxx, grab a couple computer fans, I would use 4 inch ones but I have 3inchers on my 120 and they work, grab a couple ac/dc adapters cut the cords red comp wire goes to white lined adapter black goes to black leave the yellow hanging, its a ground and really not needed unless your house wiring isn't grounded.

 

[chrisstie]

Best buy, circuit city, compusa typically all have computer fans i think most are in the 80mm size or around there...

I wanna know what marcye has going on the AP 24 in her store it looks like it was built to do just what it does- like 3 or so? computer fans all in a little encasing..

radio shack has wire cutters and what not too and might have computer fans but i went in there the other day and BOY are they commercialized packaged crap sellers now. I used to go in there and they had electronic components and cables everywhere now they have a tiny drawer of stuff and mostly generic stuff you'd get at target or best buy - and really hawk their phone plans. I was like whoa, did i step into a really ugly future?

 

[jsl6v8]

Oh the little cases they have there at SITC, they are sold seperately I saw them in the aquatic eco systems catalog they are prett cheap and they do look nice but you need to clean the screening a bit as they will collect a bit of dust. I just suggest the place with the spaceship outside because they are cheap and can give you a hand if you don't know what you are doing. No need to spend 20 bucks for something when you can spend 3 and do it yourself *shrug*