So you got a new fish tank Newbie
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Not really Grunthor but it really helps to let it "breathe". When doing water changes it is best to heat the water to the same temperature as the tank and that period is plenty of time for the SW to establish equilibrium with the air. The pH of fresh salt mix is often not ideal immediately after mixing so it is a little better to give it a few hours before using it. It is not a major thing however if you don't.
I'm not a big fan of curing rock in tank and favor separate curing vats. However, it will be fine to use fresh mix while curing. I'd leave the heater as the cure goes faster at warmer temperatures.
Speaking of temperature...
Has anyone ever had a problem with powerheads heating the tank? I've unplugged my heater and can't seem to get below 80 degrees.
As my rock was "pre" cured at the LFS, my cycle has moved rather quickly, and I"m wondering if temp has much impact, if so, what kind?
Has anyone ever had a problem with powerheads heating the tank? I've unplugged my heater and can't seem to get below 80 degrees.
As my rock was "pre" cured at the LFS, my cycle has moved rather quickly, and I"m wondering if temp has much impact, if so, what kind?
ratherbediving
New member
Well... add up how many watts each of your powerheads, return pump, protein skimmer pump have... and figure that many watts is acting like a heater that is always on. That may not be exactly correct... but even though the primary function of a power head is to move water, the conservation of energy says that for the most part, that power will be translated to heat in the aquarium.
Of course, the lights will heat up the aquarium as well while they are on. For me, that makes the biggest difference.
Of course, the lights will heat up the aquarium as well while they are on. For me, that makes the biggest difference.
captbunzo
Premium Member
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of Energy
I apologize in advance for being argumentative, but I just had to jump out and say something in defense of physics.
Conservation of energy means that energy is not lost. In the case of t a powerhead, most of that energy is transformed from electrical energy into mechanical energy (that is, water flow). The leftover energy, due to the inefficiency of the motor, will be transformed into heat & sound.
An perfect electric motor would deliver 100% of it's electrical energy into mechanical energy. Of course, that would probably take superconductors and other such things that would make it prohibatively expensive technology to use in a powerhead.
Anyhow, the point of this is simply to correct the statement connecting the word "MOST" with the amount of powerhead energy lost to heat.
Anyhow, I apologize again for being somewhat argumentative. Hehe - and any other physics folks with better knowledge then mine, PLEASE correct me!!!
Conservation of Energy
ratherbediving said:
I apologize in advance for being argumentative, but I just had to jump out and say something in defense of physics.
Conservation of energy means that energy is not lost. In the case of t a powerhead, most of that energy is transformed from electrical energy into mechanical energy (that is, water flow). The leftover energy, due to the inefficiency of the motor, will be transformed into heat & sound.
An perfect electric motor would deliver 100% of it's electrical energy into mechanical energy. Of course, that would probably take superconductors and other such things that would make it prohibatively expensive technology to use in a powerhead.
Anyhow, the point of this is simply to correct the statement connecting the word "MOST" with the amount of powerhead energy lost to heat.
Anyhow, I apologize again for being somewhat argumentative. Hehe - and any other physics folks with better knowledge then mine, PLEASE correct me!!!
Hi Paul,
In a reef tank we are dealing with low horsepower motors and they are not very efficient when compared to their larger cousins. Somewhere around 30-40% of their wattage translates directly into heat. As the pump "gunks" up that figure becomes even worse. External pumps are always a better choice, especially in tanks that may have a heat problem from high lighting levels.
In a reef tank we are dealing with low horsepower motors and they are not very efficient when compared to their larger cousins. Somewhere around 30-40% of their wattage translates directly into heat. As the pump "gunks" up that figure becomes even worse. External pumps are always a better choice, especially in tanks that may have a heat problem from high lighting levels.
boxfishpooalot
Active member
Hey Waterkeeper is that picture of you or did you just take it off the internet.(I was counting wrinkles)kidding....
Wow, I go to bed, and go to work, and TONS of people chime in. I had a hunch that the 3 heads (one for the skimmer) I had in there were doing the job of my heater. The room isn't exactly the coolest in the house, but I don't think that was contributing much. The temp seems to be coming down a bit, here's hoping...
Thanks for all the input guys.
Thanks for all the input guys.
You have to admit though, there is an insane amount of information on here... and added to the fact that it's a live thread! which means this thing is pretty much in the league with those books we're recommended to read... Now all Waterkeeper is missing is basically a listing of which fish we should stock as n00bs and which we shouldn't...
Meeker
Meeker
A tank full of Stenotomus chrysops is always nice and, if you get tired of the hobby, are good eating. 
Giving a detailed list of fish to keep is somewhat hard as availability of many fish is regional and everyone's tank differs in its loading ability and equipment. I'll try to put together a list of easy to keep fish and post it on this thread next week. I'll try to break it down by tank size and make it general and reef friendly.
Giving a detailed list of fish to keep is somewhat hard as availability of many fish is regional and everyone's tank differs in its loading ability and equipment. I'll try to put together a list of easy to keep fish and post it on this thread next week. I'll try to break it down by tank size and make it general and reef friendly.
Hi all, I just wanted to inform you that Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m working on that list of fish for Newbies. As recommending livestock is always dangerous, I have enlisted help from someone with experience. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll let him tell you what to expect.
Lucca Brassi--Olive Oil Salesman turned Undersea Explorer
Word on the street has it that yose guys wants to start your own regimes. The Don says yose made your rocks well by now and some of you are ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œmade menââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ as yose have iced both Diatoms and Algae, whose names donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t sound Sicilian but whatever. He even mentioned something about nitro but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not into crackin safes.
Back in the good old days the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œMustache Petesââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ would throw anything into their tanks and hope for the best. It usually ended up that most of their new soldiers would go to the mattress and never be seen again. At a little meeting that was held in upstate New York in the 60ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s the five families decided that this was bad business and decided there must be a better way. As a result we now know a lot more about who will make a good soldier for your regime. Normally weââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t mention such stuff outside the family but the Godfather said I can tell you which fishes will flourish in you tank. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m working up a list of wise guys who will add to our family and know how to treat a new Capo with respect. Stay tuned and as soon as I check out the new marks I post a list right here. Just be reasonable men and donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t rush into things before I can get it together. I am not a man you want to visit yose in the middle of the night to enforce the rules of reefkeeping.
Well Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m sure glad Lucca is here to help. His underwater experience is extensive. I understand he drifted down the East River where he was snagged on the rudder of the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œLove Boatââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ and in that way made it to the Bahamas and was able to study the reef fish there. He will be an invaluable aide in selecting fish for your tank.
Lucca Brassi--Olive Oil Salesman turned Undersea Explorer
Word on the street has it that yose guys wants to start your own regimes. The Don says yose made your rocks well by now and some of you are ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œmade menââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ as yose have iced both Diatoms and Algae, whose names donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t sound Sicilian but whatever. He even mentioned something about nitro but Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not into crackin safes.
Back in the good old days the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œMustache Petesââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ would throw anything into their tanks and hope for the best. It usually ended up that most of their new soldiers would go to the mattress and never be seen again. At a little meeting that was held in upstate New York in the 60ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s the five families decided that this was bad business and decided there must be a better way. As a result we now know a lot more about who will make a good soldier for your regime. Normally weââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t mention such stuff outside the family but the Godfather said I can tell you which fishes will flourish in you tank. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m working up a list of wise guys who will add to our family and know how to treat a new Capo with respect. Stay tuned and as soon as I check out the new marks I post a list right here. Just be reasonable men and donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t rush into things before I can get it together. I am not a man you want to visit yose in the middle of the night to enforce the rules of reefkeeping.
Well Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m sure glad Lucca is here to help. His underwater experience is extensive. I understand he drifted down the East River where he was snagged on the rudder of the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œLove Boatââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ and in that way made it to the Bahamas and was able to study the reef fish there. He will be an invaluable aide in selecting fish for your tank.
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