New Tank temp running a little high

[Gtinnel]

A few months back I setup a new (to me) tank and I am not sure if I need to worry about the water temps of the tank. I prefer my tank in the 78-79 range, but this tank has been consistently running at 80.5-82 even though my InkBird is set at 78-78.5.
Should I try to figure out what equipment is causing the heat, install a fan (or chiller), or just go with the slightly elevated temperatures?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

If your at or under 82*F at the hottest part of the day with max lighting intensity, I wouldn't worry about it. Mother winter is coming, it should alleviate that heat stuff quick!

 

[Dburr1014]

A few months back I setup a new (to me) tank and I am not sure if I need to worry about the water temps of the tank. I prefer my tank in the 78-79 range, but this tank has been consistently running at 80.5-82 even though my InkBird is set at 78-78.5.
Should I try to figure out what equipment is causing the heat, install a fan (or chiller), or just go with the slightly elevated temperatures?

Maybe the inkbird is off? Can you double check the temp with another device?
Inkbird can be offset also if it's off.

 

[Gtinnel]

If your at or under 82*F at the hottest part of the day with max lighting intensity, I wouldn't worry about it. Mother winter is coming, it should alleviate that heat stuff quick!

I’ve never seen it above 81.9 and ironically it’s hotter at night when the lights are off. I had planned on adding a fan on the sump but I really don’t want the extra evaporation.

 

[Gtinnel]

Maybe the inkbird is off? Can you double check the temp with another device?
Inkbird can be offset also if it's off.

I’ve double checked with a floating thermometer. The InkBird is accurate.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I’ve never seen it above 81.9 and ironically it’s hotter at night when the lights are off. I had planned on adding a fan on the sump but I really don’t want the extra evaporation.

I'd also second the inkbirds accuracy. Don't they have a temp calibration? It's been a bit since I used one.

 

[Dburr1014]

I’ve double checked with a floating thermometer. The InkBird is accurate.

Personally, I would want the tank running about where it's always been.
IMO, lower it. It's your sweet spot, it's where you like it. Peace of mind.

 

[Gtinnel]

I'd also second the inkbirds accuracy. Don't they have a temp calibration? It's been a bit since I used one.

Yes they do. I’ve checked it against other devices though. The temp is indeed a little thigh.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I would try and figure out what is causing the extra heat. The lower the temp the higher the PH. Check your return pump for any extra heat signatures. Do you have an infrared temp gun?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I’ve double checked with a floating thermometer. The InkBird is accurate.

Well since you did that... You know the simple solution, but as you said you don't want to deal with evaporation. Thus my suggestion of let it go and watch the temp.

 

[Gtinnel]

Personally, I would want the tank running about where it's always been.
IMO, lower it. It's your sweet spot, it's where you like it. Peace of mind.

I know that a little lower than 82 shouldn’t be a problem but it worries me about something happening and it going up even higher later on.

 

[Dburr1014]

I know that a little lower than 82 shouldn’t be a problem but it worries me about something happening and it going up even higher later on.

Exactly!

 

[Gtinnel]

I would try and figure out what is causing the extra heat. The lower the temp the higher the PH. Check your return pump for any extra heat signatures. Do you have an infrared temp gun?

I do have a infrared temp gun. I had considered just turning off pumps one at a time and see if any single one makes a noticeable difference. The tank currently has a return pump, skimmer pump, and two flow pumps.

 

[Dburr1014]

I know that a little lower than 82 shouldn’t be a problem but it worries me about something happening and it going up even higher later on.

It is a good idea to check out the other pumps, power heads, heaters, ect to make sure everything is in proper order.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

It may not be the tank @ all. Environmental conditions around the tank play a big part. Is the tank in a room with a/c? If not what's the room ambient temp? 2-3 degrees difference in my living room makes a massive difference to my tanks.

 

[Dburr1014]

It may not be the tank @ all. Environmental conditions around the tank play a big part. Is the tank in a room with a/c? If not what's the room ambient temp? 2-3 degrees difference in my living room makes a massive difference to my tanks.

Could be. But that would still make it run higher. Heater just won't kick on as much. Still can be lowered to where the OP is more comfortable.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Could be. But that would still make it run higher. Heater just won't kick on as much. Still can be lowered to where the OP is more comfortable.

Issue is that op can lower the temp but doesn't want to deal with evaporation from running fans. There is multiple ways to skin a cat, the op is the only one that knows best, based on his tank configuration.

I'm just throwing out ideas on where the heat is coming from in the first place. Could be ambient temp issues, could be equipment issues, none of us know.

 

[Gtinnel]

It may not be the tank @ all. Environmental conditions around the tank play a big part. Is the tank in a room with a/c? If not what's the room ambient temp? 2-3 degrees difference in my living room makes a massive difference to my tanks.

Yea the room stays around 70 degrees so the ambient temp shouldn’t be the cause.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Yea the room stays around 70 degrees so the ambient temp shouldn’t be the cause.

UV? MH bulbs? I'm spitballin now, lol. At 70 degrees ambient and it's that high... Bananas!

 

[Gtinnel]

I know how to check and see what is raising the temp, and I know how to fix it. I just don’t know if it’s high enough that I care to try and fix it.