High temperature question

[WillB]

Which do you think is worse? A temperature swing from 78-84 throughout the day or a constant 84? I know that stability is key but to what extent?

 

[Mark Gray]

Well not really sure I had a 55 gallon last year that got to 89 a few times. I did not have any problems with it. Mostly zoos and Leathers but there is a birds nest in there and a couple LPS hammers

 

[Reeefninja]

Mine used to go from 80.8 to 86 once the lights came on. I put a small table fan now in the canopy blowing on the top and it stays mostly at 81-82now

 

[Crabs McJones]

I think the swing is more hurtful than keeping the steady temp. At a steady temp the corals can at least adapt to it, a swing they have to constantly be changing to adjust for the difference.

 

[OnPointCorals Verified Sponsor]

This is actually quite a great question. I am not sure of the answer.

Finally got a chiller this year. Why did it take me 4 years to get one. Keeps system between 79-80. Summer used to run between 79-84 with fans.

 

[jda]

Both are not great. Keep in mind that temps that high for prolonged periods of time are devastating to wild reefs. I am not saying that a few days or a few swings will do this, but I would keep the tank below 8 with less than a 2 degree swing. Depending on where you live, a simple can can do this quite easily.

 

[killr66tb]

I went to the swamp meet and bought a window AC for 40 bucks and now I don't have that problem anymore. I understand that your room could be to big for something like that but if possible it will work.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

If temps cant be lowered then consistently is best. Fast swings are bad however high temps lower disovled oxygen and can cause corals to bleach. Add a fan over the tank or sump will lower temps. It doew increase evaporation so be sure to up on top off.

 

[WVNed]

This is kind of a trick question. A fish tank has a large thermal mass. If it started the day at 84 instead of 78 how high would it go then.

 

[Art2249]

Hillbilly reef chiller

 

[jda]

This is kind of a trick question. A fish tank has a large thermal mass. If it started the day at 84 instead of 78 how high would it go then.

It depends on external variables. If the room is only 84, then none... but this would not have caused a rise from 78 to 84 in the first place. If it is a tight hood and stand that does not allow heat to escape the tank, then nearly the same 6 degrees.

 

[killr66tb]

Love the hillbilly chiller

 

[Retro Reefer]

I find the redneck chiller to be quite effective

 

[adtravels]

I agree that long term high is bad. I am in Bali at the moment diving. The temps here in lembongan vary from 23 to 28 degrees celcius and are constantly mixing and changing on an hourly, daily monthly basis. On one dive the temp range was 24 to 28, not just with depth either.

 

[Surfzone]

If temps cant be lowered then consistently is best. Fast swings are bad however high temps lower disovled oxygen and can cause corals to bleach. Add a fan over the tank or sump will lower temps. It doew increase evaporation so be sure to up on top off.

This is very true. I get nervous when my tank temp hits 81 but I added a fan on the sump to kick on at 79.9 and now my system stays between 78.9 and 80.0 so about a one degree difference. However since doing that I've had to increase my top off water from a 5 gallon bucket a week to a spare 20 gallon tank that I modded for top off