How stable do you keep your temperature?

Scott.h · Dec 17, 2016

Seems like a silly question, but with the available technology, the OCD in me wonders if I should mess with something that doesn't need messed with.

I have 2 heaters where one would be sufficient. Call it a backup, whatever, but both are controlled by the apex, and it flutuates 1.2 degrees. I'm thinking if I ran one smaller one, ran it on consistently, it would do 95% of the work. If I picked the correct wattage. Then made the second bump on from time to time to help if it got colder, whatever. The temp graph would stay more steady.

I'm wondering if this would even matter?

Ebone · Dec 17, 2016

about 1 degree... because I can I guess

Scott.h · Dec 17, 2016

Scott.h · Dec 17, 2016

And that's fine but here's the thing. We could make it better. Or maybe even closing the temp gap up 3/4s of a degree. I guess what I'm wondering is how steady is steady enough?

luke33 · Dec 17, 2016

I wouldn't be concerned unless you had more than a 2 degree or more chance per day.

mmw64 · Dec 17, 2016

I was wondering the same thing about how much temperature awing was too much. So thanks.

AdamNC · Dec 17, 2016

Heater kicks on at 77.1 and off at 77.4
Fan kicks on at 77.9 and off at 77.6

Scott.h · Dec 17, 2016

AdamNC said:
Heater kicks on at 77.1 and off at 77.4
Fan kicks on at 77.9 and off at 77.6

thats a pretty close gap. How often does the fan kick on? T5 or halides?

AdamNC · Dec 17, 2016

LEDs, usually the fan will only turn on in the spring and fall when we have the windows opened for fresh air. Normally we keep the house set at 73.

bevo5 · Dec 17, 2016

I have two digitals hooked up to APEX and they both register the same 1 degree fluctuation throughout the day. I think that's about as close as I'm going to get with my set up of 2 heaters (one 300, one 250). Basically once they kick on they're going to get hot and not cool off super quick, so I get that 1 degree variation.

I'm ok with that.

mcarroll · Dec 17, 2016

It's not too hard to manage swings down to zero (I never see mine read anything by 79.5ºF), but reefs in nature do vary in temp from day to night and during storms, etc, so there's nothing particularly natural about a stable temp.

For example. I keep my saltwater in the basement, so water change-water temperatures are always cool, but never extreme, and I do nothing to control temperature for water change water. I've never seen my corals or fish do anything after a water change but smile. For what it's worth.