Cold weather

[Danjoc92]

Hello all. I’m struggling to maintain the temperature in my tank with the current cold weather ( my first winter with the tank ). The ambient temperature in my house is 10c 50F and probably much lower at night. My tank is a 13.5g tank with a 50w Fluval heater in it. When the lights go on the tank is on average 23c or 73.4f. I’m aware this is the very low end of what’s safe and would appreciate some tips on how to maintain a stable temp. During the normal warmer months it stirs around 24.8c 76.4f. The coral in my tank seems to be doing ok however I’m not sure how much longer I can risk it. Should I but a new heater right away or is there anything else I could do ? I have a spare heater for heating new water however it was super cheap on Amazon and I don’t trust it not to boil the tank.
Thanks

 

[Reef Psychology]

I use an Inkbird with duel heater/cooler outlets. It auto shuts off/on. So, it’s redundant with my heaters which have their own temp settings. So if one fails the other backs it up. They come with duel heating plugs or heat/cooling. Doubling your heaters should do the trick.

 

[Danjoc92]

Thanks a lot I have just bought that and another heater an aquael ultra hopefully they both come tomorrow thank god for Amazon.

 

[KStatefan]

With the ambient temp being that low it is going to take a lot to keep your tank warm. To minimize the risk of over heat in the summer I would not leave all the heaters in year-round.
You really keep your house less the 50° F? I thought I kept ours cool at 68°F Day and 60°F Night.

 

[Viking_Reefing]

Wait, 10c inside the house?
But yeah, a bigger heater is the way to go.

 

[fish farmer]

Add another heater and some type of temp controller. Last year I had a heater stop working and forgot to replace it, summer time it was fine. Mid October my tank was running around 73 F when I noticed it. My low house temps are 62-64.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hello all. I’m struggling to maintain the temperature in my tank with the current cold weather ( my first winter with the tank ). The ambient temperature in my house is 10c 50F and probably much lower at night. My tank is a 13.5g tank with a 50w Fluval heater in it. When the lights go on the tank is on average 23c or 73.4f. I’m aware this is the very low end of what’s safe and would appreciate some tips on how to maintain a stable temp. During the normal warmer months it stirs around 24.8c 76.4f. The coral in my tank seems to be doing ok however I’m not sure how much longer I can risk it. Should I but a new heater right away or is there anything else I could do ? I have a spare heater for heating new water however it was super cheap on Amazon and I don’t trust it not to boil the tank.
Thanks

50wt inadequate. Go at least 100w, even 150w , Not only higher wattage but will heat the tank quicker and work less. Titanium is best but at least a submersible unit with a dial thermostat

 

[flyingscampi]

I use this and recommend it. It switches the heaters off at a set temperature so you can chuck another heater in the tank without worrying about it.

D-D Dual Temp Controller

D-D DUAL Temp controller - Plug and Play - no wiring!

charterhouse-aquatics.com

I use Eheim heaters with thermostats to control temperature and the DD as a failsafe, set slightly higher than the Eheims.

And it has been brass monkeys for the past week in the UK!

 

[scubaReef002]

ReefGuard's temp monitor will show you 24 hours of past temp data. Might help you see the temperature trends?

ReefGuard Systems

ReefGuard Systems - SIMPLE. RELIABLE. AFFORDABLE.

reefguard.co

 

[robbiereef8691]

Your house is your main heater and the tank heaters just keep it in check 50f in your house is cold can I ask why ….

 

[pulpfiction]

I forgot to turn the heat on the night a cold front came in and woke up to 38F indoors. I have a simple delux 100w in a 20 gal hooked up to an inkbird. The tank was a steady 77F when I checked it.

 

[Danjoc92]

We have had a bust water pipe which has meant no central heating for the past few days. I have bought an INKBIRD and another heater which has kept the tank between 25 and 25.6 constantly. More than happy with it! Thanks for all the help and advice !

 

[Katherine Corals]

+1 on using an InkBird or some other controller for maintaining heat. I had glass heaters before and when I switched to using a Titanium heater, I was dead butt accurate!