optimal temperature ranges

[jacksonpt]

What are optimal temperature ranges for a mixed reef tank? I have a couple of leathers, a number of LPS, and some easier/starter SPS.

My display runs about 5-6 degrees cooler than my sump... and I want both the critters in my fuge and the life in my display to be happy and thrive. Currently my display is sitting about about 76 +/- 1 degree, and my sump is hovering around 81. If I have to add an aux heater to my display I will, but that's not my preference.

 

[lolgranny]

That doesn't seem correct. If your sump and your tank are connected the water temp wouldn't vary like that. One of your thermometers are off.

76 is on the cooler side. 77-82 is ideal. Mine sits at 77 all winter, will get to 78 peak in the day. Summer it's always 81-82.


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[homer1475]

That doesn't seem correct. If your sump and your tank are connected the water temp wouldn't vary like that. One of your thermometers are off.

76 is on the cooler side. 77-82 is ideal. Mine sits at 77 all winter, will get to 78 peak in the day. Summer it's always 81-82.


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+1
My tanks temp varies exactly like this.

 

[jacksonpt]

I have very little flow between the 2 due to noise/splashing concerns. To the touch, there is a noticeable and seeming significant difference in temp. I'm reasonably confident the numbers are correct.

 

[lolgranny]

I have very little flow between the 2 due to noise/splashing concerns. To the touch, there is a noticeable and seeming significant difference in temp. I'm reasonably confident the numbers are correct.

So let me ask this. What's the point of the sump then? If there is next to no flow between the them what are you trying to achieve with the sump?

How large are these tanks?

Do you have a meat thermometer? Go and double check both of them. At the end of the day you want to keep them in the range of 77-82


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[jacksonpt]

I'm trying to make due with what has turned out to be a pretty bad setup.

Thanks for the temp numbers... I'll keep fussing with things.

 

[lolgranny]

Take some photos maybe we can help out. But from how you're describing it it seems like you basically are running 2 separate tanks


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[jacksonpt]

It's a petty basic setup...

38g display with twin glass holes overflow.
20g sump in the stand.
Eheim 1262 return throttled WAY back to quiet the draining water.

For reasons I won't get into here, noise has become a paramount issue, and throttling the return is the only way I've been able to sufficiently quiet things down. Unfortunately, the heavily reduced flow/turnover is causing other problems... these temperature issues being one of them.

I've got a pair of unions on on order, so I can overhaul the drain plumbing this weekend, but I'm mostly married to the glass holes boxes, unfortunately.

 

[Joe0813]

my tank is exactly like what granny has stated 77-78 in the winter and then 80-82 in the summer

 

[lolgranny]

It's a petty basic setup...

38g display with twin glass holes overflow.
20g sump in the stand.
Eheim 1262 return throttled WAY back to quiet the draining water.

For reasons I won't get into here, noise has become a paramount issue, and throttling the return is the only way I've been able to sufficiently quiet things down. Unfortunately, the heavily reduced flow/turnover is causing other problems... these temperature issues being one of them.

I've got a pair of unions on on order, so I can overhaul the drain plumbing this weekend, but I'm mostly married to the glass holes boxes, unfortunately.

I've had a couple g holes boxes on 40gallon breeders. When the drain drains into your sump is it above the water a lot? Or is it the gurgle you get at the overflow itself? You can make a silencer for the drain.

You'll get it! I understand the quiet tank needs.


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[jacksonpt]

The drain pipes are about 1-2" below the water surface in the stump. Noise is from water splashing as is hits the sump water.

 

[lolgranny]

The drain pipes are about 1-2" below the water surface in the stump. Noise is from water splashing as is hits the sump water.

Make a silencer for it and it will fix your issue. There should be some links around. I'll see if I can dig some up for you


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[jacksonpt]

A silencer at the drain outlet? I've read a lot about silencing the overflow/standpipe (i.e. the start of the drain side), but not the end.

I'll have to do some digging...

 

[lolgranny]

A silencer at the drain outlet? I've read a lot about silencing the overflow/standpipe (i.e. the start of the drain side), but not the end.

I'll have to do some digging...

Yes, you're getting all the noise because the air is creating the noise. It's churning the water since it's escaping below the water line. You need to make it so the air can escape before hand at the same time reduce the splashing. Some people use a T or make something of their own


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[jacksonpt]

That should be fairly easy to retrofit. Thanks.

 

[Floowid]

You could try running a filter sock on your outlet. I don't always run one, but when I do it kills almost all the noise in the sump

 

[dkevink]

I always set up my systems with a heater in overflow and sump. I undersize them a little for total volume. That way if I turn off return pump no temperature spikes. Stability is the key to reefing.

 

[jacksonpt]

I stumbled across this from drummerreef's build while "researching"... this is cleaner than what I had in mind so I'll probably try something similar. Fortunately PVC is so cheap I don't mind if it takes me 3 or 4 iterations to get it right.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17278505&postcount=1351

 

[jacksonpt]

on second thought, this is my plan, at least for phase 1. Space in my sump/drain section is pretty tight, so keeping just a basic drain outlet in the sump is preferred. The tee fittings at the top of each line will be attached, and will give me a way to secure/support the pumping to my stand (which I don't currently have). I'm planning to fill teh horizontal sections with poly filter or similar to act as a muffler, hopefully absorbing some of the sound.

 

[lolgranny]

Good call and yes that's the silencer I've seen too. You could always make similar and smaller. Every system is different so trial and rrror like you said.


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