Ambient room temp change

[boisblancboy]

How much does the ambient room temp affect your reef tank temp?

If ambient temp changes are inevitable what are ways to help reduce swings in the tank?

 

[ingchr1]

I just let it swing to some extent. My temperature is set at 77.2F and my fans come on at 79.0F. Had a couple of warm days here and this is what tank temperature did on those days, rose a degree or so during the day time.

 

[boisblancboy]

Reason I ask is I’m sure I’ll end up having temp swings because I primarily heat with a wood stove and always have a ceiling fan running to keep the heat as even in the house as I can.

So I just trying to plan on how to mitigate the swings the best I can.

 

[Idech]

Reason I ask is I’m sure I’ll end up having temp swings because I primarily heat with a wood stove and always have a ceiling fan running to keep the heat as even in the house as I can.

So I just trying to plan on how to mitigate the swings the best I can.

If you have heaters for the tank and use air conditioning in the summer, there shouldn’t be fluctuations.

 

[boisblancboy]

If you have heaters for the tank and use air conditioning in the summer, there shouldn’t be fluctuations.

Oh yeah of course there will be heaters. Luckily where I’m at I don’t generally need AC, my house almost never gets much over mid 70’s.

Now winter time of course it can dip down into the low 60’s but only for awhile if the fire dies down through the night.

 

[Idech]

Oh yeah of course there will be heaters. Luckily where I’m at I don’t generally need AC, my house almost never gets much over mid 70’s.

Now winter time of course it can dip down into the low 60’s but only for awhile if the fire dies down through the night.

There are sites to help you calculate how much watts you need for your heaters. This is just an example : https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/HeaterChillerSizing.php

Having 2 smaller ones is best, hooked to an Inkbird controller, for redundancy and more precision.

 

[boisblancboy]

There are sites to help you calculate how much watts you need for your heaters. This is just an example : https://www.hamzasreef.com/Contents/Calculators/HeaterChillerSizing.php

Having 2 smaller ones is best, hooked to an Inkbird controller, for redundancy and more precision.

Thanks. I actually have an ink bird that I have never used for a different hobby.

Tank is only going to be about 40 gallons total volume

 

[Idech]

Thanks. I actually have an ink bird that I have never used for a different hobby.

Be careful as you need the Inkbird made especially for saltwater or the probe will rust.

 

[dochoot]

Ambient temp has a big effect on mine. Manageable with with several heaters.

 

[boisblancboy]

Be careful as you need the Inkbird made especially for saltwater or the probe will rust.

Thanks. It’s still in the box, I’ll check the specs.

 

[boisblancboy]

Ambient temp has a big effect on mine. Manageable with with several heaters.

Is that maybe a key, if you have downward temp swings it’s better to have more wattage to manage it?

 

[Naekuh]

Is that maybe a key, if you have downward temp swings it’s better to have more wattage to manage it?

the ones meant for fish tanks will have a black sealed plastic probe, instead of a metal one.

 

[edd59]

you shouldnt have any downward temp swings as your heaters will compensate as the temp drops. providing you have adequate heaters.

 

[fish farmer]

Thanks. It’s still in the box, I’ll check the specs.

You might be able to seal the ends of the probe with plastic. I have a ranco temp controller for my sumped 29 gallon. I have two heaters hooked to the probe for winter heating. In the summer I usually only need one running. I set my controller temp to 78 and it doesn't drop in the winter, furnace temp ranges 65 to 72. Summer house temps are 75 to 80+, once it is over 80 in the house I'm running A/C and maybe fans over the tank or sump.