Temp question

glb · Mar 29, 2015

My 12g nanocube always stayed at about 78 degrees with the lid on. I mounted the lid over the tank yesterday and the temp this morning was 74. Our house AC is set at 73 so my guess is the tank will probably settle there. Right now I have a clownfish, some cuc and a few LPS. Should I consider a heater? I plan on sticking with LPS and softies. The lid used to protect the tank from drastic temp changes, which sometimes but rarely happen in south Florida. What's everyone's thoughts about an ideal temp to maintain? I know stability is more important than an actual number but I'm just curious.

firemedix911 · Mar 29, 2015

Depends more than anything on your stock but fo rgeneral reefs you want between 77-80. I deally you want to avoind big swings in temp from day to night.

AdamNC · Mar 29, 2015

On a tank that small you will have temp swings. I'd at least get a 50watt heater for it.

glb · Mar 29, 2015

Thanks everyone. Is any one brand recommended? Is marineland ok or should I steer clear?

firemedix911 · Mar 29, 2015

Eheim from what I've read are pretty reliable but then again no heater is 100% reliable.

glb · Mar 29, 2015

firemedix911 said:
Eheim from what I've read are pretty reliable but then again no heater is 100% reliable.

Thx. Luckily where I live the temp swings aren't that bad.

SeahorseKeeper · Mar 29, 2015

glb said:
Thanks everyone. Is any one brand recommended? Is marineland ok or should I steer clear?

I would stay FAR, FAR, FAR away from Marineland heaters. I have heard too many horror stories about them. I use Jager heaters, but I also recommend a controller for them. Heaters, no matter the brand, can and will fail.

glb · Mar 29, 2015

SeahorseKeeper said:
I would stay FAR, FAR, FAR away from Marineland heaters. I have heard too many horror stories about them. I use Jager heaters, but I also recommend a controller for them. Heaters, no matter the brand, can and will fail.

Too late. I just bought one. I'll order another brand. It's in the tank now ok. What's wrong with them?

SeahorseKeeper · Mar 29, 2015

Too many reports of them failing. They can overheat and break apart.

glb · Mar 29, 2015

SeahorseKeeper said:
Too many reports of them failing. They can overheat and break apart.

Well I had it set to 78 and just went in and the tank's 80 already. I unplugged it and I'm taking it back tomorrow. Ugh.

Trex · Mar 29, 2015

Do you have any type of controller? I don't trust the thermostats on any heater, so one on a controller is nice.

With that said, I wouldn't worry too much about it going to 80* when set to 78*, as long as it is consistent.

Side note, you have an open top now? Do you have anything over the tank too keep the fish from jumping out?

glb · Mar 29, 2015

If heaters are so spotty, should I maybe consider just not having one?

Trex · Mar 29, 2015

Granted, I am in the midwest, but even if I was in FLA, I would still want a heater, there could be a cool night that could mess things up.

glb · Mar 29, 2015

My house is usually 73 degrees.

glb · Mar 29, 2015

Trex said:
Granted, I am in the midwest, but even if I was in FLA, I would still want a heater, there could be a cool night that could mess things up.

You're probably right. Maybe I could just plug one in when a cold front's coming in.

SeahorseKeeper · Mar 29, 2015

You could get a ranco temp controller to help prevent it from overheating the tank. Most times when the heaters fail they fail in the on position.

glb · Mar 29, 2015

Trex said:
Do you have any type of controller? I don't trust the thermostats on any heater, so one on a controller is nice.

With that said, I wouldn't worry too much about it going to 80* when set to 78*, as long as it is consistent.

Side note, you have an open top now? Do you have anything over the tank too keep the fish from jumping out?

I don't have anything over the tank. What do you recommend?

saltyphish · Mar 30, 2015

Could not have said it better. Those controllers area great insurance.

SeahorseKeeper said:
I would stay FAR, FAR, FAR away from Marineland heaters. I have heard too many horror stories about them. I use Jager heaters, but I also recommend a controller for them. Heaters, no matter the brand, can and will fail.