Tank is heating up

[bobbychullo]

I just did a quick search and it said the great barrier reef water ranges from 75 in the winter to 86 in the summer. I have kept my tanks consistently at 80-82 F without any issues...

http://data.aims.gov.au/aimsrtds/yearlytrends.xhtml

 

[Heatherabel3]

I just bought a cheap clip on fan from WalMart for my 29g. Works great. I have to top off about a gallon a day but it's worth it to not have to spend a ton on a chiller.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I just did a quick search and it said the great barrier reef water ranges from 75 in the winter to 86 in the summer. I have kept my tanks consistently at 80-82 F without any issues...

http://data.aims.gov.au/aimsrtds/yearlytrends.xhtml

Sure it does. But two things here one is to keep your tank at optimum temps for most inhabitants we have is 72-78. And two is that the hotter the water temp the lower the oxygen saturation so it makes it harder for the corals and fish etc to breathe.

 

[Shawn O]

In addition, I replaced the lid of my tank with that plastic light grid/egg crate/light diffuser thing. Both of these changes dropped my water temp by a solid 3 degrees.

the great barrier reef water ranges from 75 in the winter to 86 in the summer.

But two things here, one is to keep your tank at optimum temps for most inhabitants we have is 72-78. and two is that the hotter the water temp the lower the oxygen saturation so it makes it harder for the corals and fish etc to breathe.

So, with an enclosed canopy installed, it would be beneficial to replace the top of the canopy with egg grate?

Also, with a heater like mine (aqueon 150w) that is not programmable (preset to 79f) it would be beneficial to control it with a temp controller to have it come on at 76 and off at 77 or 78f?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Yes! But the temp setting on heaters doesn't mean anything to me. What matters is what the temp of your DT is. I don't trust heaters LOL For instance one of mine that I use for mixing water is set on 72 but doesn't turn off until 78.6 always use a calibrated digital thermometer.

 

[Shawn O]

The Aqueon heater has been rock steady for the month or so I've had it. The temp always reads the exact same whenever I check the thermometer. Time will tell if it's wasted money or not. If I can get two years out of it I'll be happy, so long as it doesn't fail in the "on" position and cook the tank.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Shawn you should be fine as long as you verify it with a calibrated digital thermometer.

 

[ca1ore]

As I recall, DO goes from about 8 ppm at 77 degrees F to about 7 ppm at 86 degrees F. Whether this significantly impacts the livestock in a reef tank I cannot say, other than my own anecdotal evidence that allowing my tank to hit 83 degrees has not proven deleterious. As I noted earlier in this thread, maintaining oxygen saturation via adequate circulation is really important as the temperature rises - though I suppose I'd argue it's important regardless.

 

[ca1ore]

optimum temps for most inhabitants we have is 72-78.

Don't think that's true. I suppose if one were attempting to keep animals that live at dramatically different natural depths in the same tank, then a median temperature of 76 or so might be a good compromise (maybe that's what you meant); but for most of the reef-crest animals we keep, the natural environment fluctuates by season from abut 78 to 84 degrees. So, I see nothing wrong with, and have not experienced issues with, tanks that follow a similar curve.

 

[AdamSabina]

I personally used to just use a cheap clip on fan made for a desk. You don't need anything too fancy

+10. My garage was 100f with 80 gallon system it worked great with a simple room fan. Never broke 80 degree. Did use a lot of RODI but I didn't care

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Don't think that's true. I suppose if one were attempting to keep animals that live at dramatically different natural depths in the same tank, then a median temperature of 76 or so might be a good compromise (maybe that's what you meant); but for most of the reef-crest animals we keep, the natural environment fluctuates by season from abut 78 to 84 degrees. So, I see nothing wrong with, and have not experienced issues with, tanks that follow a similar curve.

Yes that is what I meant. But what's the purpose in chasing what might happen in a natural reef? Those temp swings are not good IMO for the fish we have taken out of their natural reefs and into our small part of the reef world. I believe in keeping all parameters constant as I can for their comfort and IMO well being.

 

[bobbychullo]

i think temp swings are fine and may even be beneficial, within reason of course (most definitely NOT an expert opinion). coral goes thru some pretty harsh conditions in nature. There are areas that are exposed at low tide for hours at a time. I can imagine the temp swings they experience must be pretty extreme considering air temps can hit 90 F in the summer...

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Again, why subject your home aquarium and it's inhabitants to those types of extremes? I see no benefit in doing so.

 

[smatter]

Rock solid temperature = disaster when the chiller fails. I speak from experience.

 

[m0nkie]

Again, why subject your home aquarium and it's inhabitants to those types of extremes? I see no benefit in doing so.

I believe that by allowing your tank temperature to swing a little, your corals would be much better prepared for future temperature related disasters.. ie if your chiller malfunctions. A tank going through 79-83 swing daily will handle a disaster of 85 degrees much better than a tank kept at 75 sharp all year round.