Heater Broken

[AbnormalReefer]

Hey all, my tank is currently cycling with some nice pieces of live rock filled with bristleworms, copepods, and mini brittle stars. Unfortunately I cracked my heater and the room temperature is approx 70 degrees. I can’t buy anything now as all stores are closed and was wondering if the LR would be fine overnight if the temp drops to 70 or so?

I also have some snails and hermits that hitchhiked on the rock. Will they be ok?

 

[James M]

Yes that is fine

 

[Oscaror]

Hey all, my tank is currently cycling with some nice pieces of live rock filled with bristleworms, copepods, and mini brittle stars. Unfortunately I cracked my heater and the room temperature is approx 70 degrees. I can’t buy anything now as all stores are closed and was wondering if the LR would be fine overnight if the temp drops to 70 or so?

I also have some snails and hermits that hitchhiked on the rock. Will they be ok?

It'll be fine, good thing this happened during the cycling process and not with anything in the tank.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Should be fine. Once you have coral stocked a backup heater is a good ides.

 

[scurvy dawg]

Two things that I always keep a backup on the shelf. A return pump and a heater.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

Good ideas all and thank you for the help. I will now keep an extra return pump and heaters on hand in case of emergency

 

[Salps]

I really suggest you run two heaters in your tank. The first one is set to keep the tank at temperature. The second on is set a degree or two below the first one so if that fails the second one kicks in. Having the spare on the shelf is good but... it only becomes valuable AFTER you notice there is a problem.

 

[Reefinmike]

As others have said, no big deal letting the tank dip to room temp. Most people learn this lesson the hard way with a bunch of livestock on the line. Return pumps and heaters are the most critical and often most likely pieces of equipment to fail. At a minimum you should have one heater in your tank(on an apex), one spare heater and an identical backup return pump. Ideally you have dual return pumps, two heaters(each too weak to overheat the tank if left on) and two temp probes(display and sump) for your apex.

In 13 years of keeping aquariums i’ve learned to never trust a heater, always use a controller and firmly secure your temp probe(s) in water with zip ties.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The temperature came down gradually and specimens likely adjusted with it. Do the same with replacement- bring it back up gradually