[swinginbeef]

How hot is too hot for a reef tank?? It my current lighting setup and pump setup, I'm fluctuating from 80 in the cool of the morning to 82.5 in the hot of the afternoon.

Is that too hot?? If so, I need to get a timer for my pumps because with one pump running the tank temp was 78 to 80.

Thoughts??

[msbdiving]

Going over 82 for long periods doesn't give you alot of wiggle room. You might want to set up some fans for the daytime blowing across the water. That should knock it down to 80.

I am not sure what sort of flow you have. You might want to try the fans before decreasing your flow.

[swinginbeef]

I've got an Aquapod with a closed lid. I've got a couple computer fans lying around. I might try to come up with something but the whole inside of the lid is covered with lighting. The fan it came with is more for venting and trying to keep the light area cool and not for airflow over the water for heat exchange. I'll try to come up with something to do with these fans to have them blowing the surface for heat exchange.

[henwayrob]

mosts recommendations for a reef that ive seen is 78 - 82, with the lower levels being better because algae growth double ever degree F, definately use fans, a small fan over the top of aquarium or even a ceiling fan turned up, also if you have a glass top on the tank remove it they reduce evaporation and increase heat.

[Salt-lick]

Ive seen setups where they completley remove the lighting lid and buy a light that attaches to the top of the tank and is wide open allowing more airflow.. but maybe more fish suicides... nanotuners.com has em I think.

[swinginbeef]

Can't afford that setup right now. And I want the stock lid for the clean contained look.

[lynnvangsnes]

I think you guys are all on the right track. A swing of 2.5 degrees is within an acceptable range (I think 4 to 5 degrees swing is max over a 24 hour period). Given your budget (we ALL have them), fans are the way to go unless you want to rig a DIY chiller out of a small fridge. You dont' have much of a swing in temp, and at this point, I personally wouldn't worry unless the temp swing gets higher. A homemade chiller would just help maintain a less of a swing. It sounds like you've got it under control!

[swinginbeef]

m fine with the swing, I'm just worried that it's too hot.

next question, if I can't figure out how to get these fans to work well and still look good, will lowering the temperature in the room via A/C by two degrees in turn lower the tank temps by 2°?? That would put me back to 78-81 swing. Doing that is an option, I don't know how much it would affect my electric bill each month? We currently keep the house at 75 during the summer and 70 during the winter.

[lynnvangsnes]

Any external change in temp will affect your tank; especially a/c. Believe me Joe, if I could keep my tank cool with my central a/c, I would; but I would have to buy stock in the power company. Winter is no problem as a tank heater is much cheaper than a chiller. Consider using the fans across the water; at least during the daytime. Yes you will have some more evaporation, but you can add some cooler water to aid in preventing your tank temp from getting too hot. I have heard of people that freeze R/O water in plastic soda bottles and place them in their sumps to keep the temp down.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Joe I think a lot of reefers in this world would love to have a 2 degree temp swing,in fact they might be happy with 5.Sit back and put your feet up,relax and watch the critters be happy.

[swinginbeef]

but if I have the lid up during the day, the lights point out into the room instead of down into the tank. And if I do it at night, I'd think that it would just cool it off more at night but still heat it up to 72.5ish during the day so it wouldn't really help the issue. I might try the plastic bottle ice deal during the day and then nothing at night. That should keep it cooler during the day and probably still slightly cooler at night...

Maybe someday I can get a small chiller but I'm already over budget and I haven't bought any fish or corals yet!!

[swinginbeef]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

Joe I think a lot of reefers in this world would love to have a 2 degree temp swing,in fact they might be happy with 5.Sit back and put your feet up,relax and watch the critters be happy.

so you don't think getting up to 82.5 is too hot?? Like I said before, I'm VERY happy with the temp swing with this tank. It's been <3° swing since I've had it running. It was from 78 to 80ish but I added a second pump and now it's 80-82.5ish. I just don't want to cook anybody!!

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I doubt anything under 85 is going to cause a problem.There is a guy on another forum(can I say that?lol) who lives on a reef in the philipines and say the day to day temp there is 85. I am sure its different from place to place. but I doubt anyone ever had a fish die at 85.At least not as s result of the temp.

[CyberJester]

From the things I have read it is much worse to have a large swing in temp then to have one slightly higher then ideal.

[CyberJester]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

I doubt anything under 85 is going to cause a problem.There is a guy on another forum(can I say that?lol) who lives on a reef in the philipines and say the day to day temp there is 85. I am sure its different from place to place. but I doubt anyone ever had a fish die at 85.At least not as s result of the temp.

shhhh, big brother is listening. Don't kick'em K he didn't mean it!!!

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I agree with you on that Jeremy