First salt tank temp questions

Ahogue21 · Oct 30, 2016

Setup a fluval evo earlier this week and slighlty concerned on the tempt light on im seeing 82-83 ***using an infrared temp gun
I've left the light off all night and plan to see what my fluctuations are with it off....

Is that temp to high? I plan on adding a power head and curious if more surface agitation cools the water or if I should also be looking at a fan setup

Wrasse · Oct 30, 2016

It's on the higher end of what's acceptable. Some reefers prefer to run their tanks at this warmer temp.

Ahogue21 · Oct 30, 2016

So more or less temp is on the higher end but it's more the fluctuations I have to worry about correct?

slipknotgrrl83 · Oct 31, 2016

I run mine 78.5 to 79.5, alot of people run at temp you have. I just don't feel comfortable running on the higher end but keeping stable is most important.

Ahogue21 · Oct 31, 2016

Well lights been off for 5-6 hrs and holding at 81 so it least it's staying stable

morpheas · Oct 31, 2016

I wonder what's causing the high temp. Is the room that hot? Do you have a MH light? Is the heater set to that temp?

I would concur that the temp is on the high end and doesn't allow room for error. Depending on the reason why it's that hot the solution could be as simple as lowering your heater. If not, an easy way to promote heat exchange is a little fan skimming your water surface promoting higher evaporation rates thus cooling and lower temps.

slipknotgrrl83 · Oct 31, 2016

morpheas said:
I wonder what's causing the high temp. Is the room that hot? Do you have a MH light? Is the heater set to that temp?

I would concur that the temp is on the high end and doesn't allow room for error. Depending on the reason why it's that hot the solution could be as simple as lowering your heater. If not, an easy way to promote heat exchange is a little fan skimming your water surface promoting higher evaporation rates thus cooling and lower temps.

+1

Ahogue21 · Oct 31, 2016

Running the led light that comes with the tank like I said has been off for 6+ hrs and temps still 80+ house temp is right at 70 and tank isn't under any other lights or near vents......although the lid could be keeping the temp up

slipknotgrrl83 · Oct 31, 2016

Ahogue21 said:
Running the led light that comes with the tank like I said has been off for 6+ hrs and temps still 80+ house temp is right at 70 and tank isn't under any other lights or near vents......although the lid could be keeping the temp up

I would use a fan blowing over surface, that will bring temp down. Just watch salinity as it does cause evaporation

slipknotgrrl83 · Oct 31, 2016

What is heater set at?

morpheas · Oct 31, 2016

Yeah if the ambient temp is that low the temp you're recording is probably due to heater setting. Equipment heat is also possible but with your tank highly unlikely. The cover definitely doesn't help. Also is it possible your measurement is off? Just covering all bases...

If i were you I'd do the following: double check my readings with a couple of instruments. If correctly diagnosed check heater setting. Lower that. Also remove cover temporarily to check if that helps. Finally of all else fails with the cover removed as a fan skimming the surface of the water. But i think adjusting your heater and potentially removing the cover will help.

Ahogue21 · Oct 31, 2016

After mentioning the measurement being off I had a duh moment and looked at the heater thermometer and it's only 76-78 a little more inline with the house temp

slipknotgrrl83 · Oct 31, 2016

I would check with another source to compare since you are getting two different readings

Eliden · Oct 31, 2016

I just got the evo 13 too. The lighting is actually really hot.

SkyMarineReef · Oct 31, 2016

Probably the internal return pump which is reduced the heat at least 2-3 degrees

SkyMarineReef · Oct 31, 2016

Sorry, wrong typing " produced" the heat, it is not reduced the heat

kendavjac · Oct 31, 2016

Don't believe the temperature settings printed on the heater. Drop it by a couple of degrees and see if your tank responds.
I run my tank around 78 in the winter and around 81 in the summer with no issues. Stability is the key.

Andrew Mc · Oct 31, 2016

Be careful using infrared temp guns for measuring aquarium water temperatures as well. They aren't the best means by any stretch...

MbunaJohn · Nov 1, 2016

I had very similar issues with my tank. Even in a 70-72 deg room with lights off it was sitting at around 81-83. I added a clip-on hurricane fan i purchased off amazon blowing across the water surface and i can now run between 76.5-77.5. I have the fan on the apex programmed like a chiller, but i doubt you would ever have any issues just running it during the hours the lights are on and letting the heater kick in if the temp gets too low. Just relying on the apex to turn mine off and on it comes on about 2 hours after the lights come on and turns off about 2 hours after the lights go out. I do get more evaporation, but that just equates to me having to fill my ATO weekly instead of every 10-14 days...no big deal for me personally.