Reef tempature

[Settings]

Hi all,
The recent heat wave caused me to have an impulse purchase. I purchased a chiller.
I recently moved from a condo on the beach to a house 10 miles from the coast and never had to deal with the temp swings we now have.

But here is my thought and I asking you all if this is logical.

I think my aquarium which is mostly SPS and fish is ok operating at a tempature of 80 degrees as long as I don't let it fluctuate between 77-81 during a 24 hour period.
So if I set me bottom temp during the summer to be 79 and my top temp at 80 during the summer. During the winter months I would set my bottom temp at 75 and top it at 76.

Does this sound ok?

 

[CarrieB]

I've read posts by people that do this.


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[AlSimmons]

My tank usually varies between 76-85 throughout the year and I've never had any problems. (mixed reef)
Sometimes it's not the highs or the lows that causes the problem, but the speed in which it get's there that does all the damage.

 

[Spar]

my reef (mostly SPS) has always fluctuated between 77 to 81 any given day during summer, and generally 76 to 79 the rest of the year.

 

[Ou8me2]

I suppose it would be okay, but you got a chiller so you can control it pretty well at any time. I prefer the same steady temp all year long at 78-80.

 

[ktownhero]

Just out of curiosity, what's the motivation for running it so low during the winter? Why not just target 78-80 year-round?

 

[Spar]

lower electricity bill I would think. less heater running during winter and less chiller during summer.

 

[Settings]

lower electricity bill I would think. less heater running during winter and less chiller during summer.

I'm always looking for ways to keep more money in my pocket.

 

[GimpyFin]

I'm always looking for ways to keep more money in my pocket.

If you know a good way to keep money in your pocket owning a saltwater tank, let me in on the secret! :bigeyes:

 

[Ghost25]

I'm always looking for ways to keep more money in my pocket.

Whats the wattage of your heater? Personally I would find a temp that works and stick with it.

Electricity is about $0.12/KWh so a 1KW heater running 24/7 is around $86/month. Your heater is probably runs a duty cycle closer to 10% if it's properly sized so the cost is significantly less.

 

[Settings]

Whats the wattage of your heater? Personally I would find a temp that works and stick with it.

Electricity is about $0.12/KWh so a 1KW heater running 24/7 is around $86/month. Your heater is probably runs a duty cycle closer to 10% if it's properly sized so the cost is significantly less.

Lol, not sure where you get .12/kWh. We pay .39/KWh.

If I can find a balance between the two, I'll be better off.

 

[Settings]

If you know a good way to keep money in your pocket owning a saltwater tank, let me in on the secret! :bigeyes:

Never got into this hobby with the children to be cheap, but do try to keep much of what I earn in the family so that we can enjoy other things in life such as surfing, music, and for entertainment the current political Circus .

 

[Ghost25]

Lol, not sure where you get .12/kWh. We pay .39/KWh.

If I can find a balance between the two, I'll be better off.

National average: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a

Of course that goes up if you are on a tiered billing plan and exceed tier 1 limits. Even so you're getting screwed at $0.39/KWh.

I use this as a reference: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/ They recommend temps from 76-83F, I keep my tank at 79F. 75-76F probably fine but it's possible some inhabitants might not do as well. Do what you want, maybe invest in some quality insulation for your house.

 

[Settings]

National average: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a

Of course that goes up if you are on a tiered billing plan and exceed tier 1 limits. Even so you're getting screwed at $0.39/KWh.

I use this as a reference: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/ They recommend temps from 76-83F, I keep my tank at 79F. 75-76F probably fine but it's possible some inhabitants might not do as well. Do what you want, maybe invest in some quality insulation for your house.

Yea, we are on tiered billing. Sad thing, they just reduced the 3 tiers to 2. Tier 1 is at .19 and the next tier which we fall into is the .39. Thats probably I am conscious of this right now.

I put a killawatt on my aquarium and it said it burns about $1 a day. Not bad.

 

[Settings]

All, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I'm going to give this a try. I can expect that dust algae to increase a bit but I'll live with that.