Temperature Fluctuations with Outside Temp

[ProxyAquarist]

.... my tank fluctuates in response; between 79.4 degrees to around 81.5. The highest I have seen it get was 82.0. The fluctuations are very gradual and the fish seem to have been fine.

Do gradual fluctuations like this create a big issue, or is it acceptable since they fluctuate generally with the weather outside?

Even if it is acceptable, there has to be a way to automate temperature?

Congratulations, 79.4 to 81.5 is a difference of 2.1 degrees. That is fairly stable and impressive. Many may be envious.

"Gradual fluctuations" are rarely an issue unless they head to a critical value. What you described appears safe.

There is always a way. The question is whether the risk is greater. As you said, "... Just adds another variable to be worried about."

My son's tank has a Apex controller with an Inkbird controller plugged in its Energy Bar. The Inkbird has two heaters plugged in it and each is half the wattage required for the tank. The logic works this way :
- Turning on and off burns out controllers. This setup has most of the work done by the InkBird which is less expensive than an Apex.
- Heaters can fail in the on position. Having 2 heaters half the wattage for the tank makes it less likely a heater will cook the tank's inhabitants. Two such heaters allows the setup to wattage to heat the tank.
- Having two controllers assures backup protection. If the inkbird fails, the Apex will kill the power and alert us.
- The heaters and Inkbird controllers are replaced each year. These item's failure rates increase after a year. Replacing them limits failure.

One could had a fan setup to the Apex controller for cooling if desired.

The problems:
1. One must change out the heaters and Inkbird controller yearly at a cost of just under $250.
2. An Apex controller, though a one time purchase, is not inexpensive.
3. As you noted, more items in the system equals more points of failure.

For a 2.1 degree variance, I might hold off unless a controller answers other problems.

Warm regards ,
Jim

 

[MomSaysNo]

Congratulations, 79.4 to 81.5 is a difference of 2.1 degrees. That is fairly stable and impressive. Many may be envious.

"Gradual fluctuations" are rarely an issue unless they head to a critical value. What you described appears safe.

There is always a way. The question is whether the risk is greater. As you said, "... Just adds another variable to be worried about."

My son's tank has a Apex controller with an Inkbird controller plugged in its Energy Bar. The Inkbird has two heaters plugged in it and each is half the wattage required for the tank. The logic works this way :
- Turning on and off burns out controllers. This setup has most of the work done by the InkBird which is less expensive than an Apex.
- Heaters can fail in the on position. Having 2 heaters half the wattage for the tank makes it less likely a heater will cook the tank's inhabitants. Two such heaters allows the setup to wattage to heat the tank.
- Having two controllers assures backup protection. If the inkbird fails, the Apex will kill the power and alert us.
- The heaters and Inkbird controllers are replaced each year. These item's failure rates increase after a year. Replacing them limits failure.

One could had a fan setup to the Apex controller for cooling if desired.

The problems:
1. One must change out the heaters and Inkbird controller yearly at a cost of just under $250.
2. An Apex controller, though a one time purchase, is not inexpensive.
3. As you noted, more items in the system equals more points of failure.

For a 2.1 degree variance, I might hold off unless a controller answers other problems.

Warm regards ,
Jim

Thanks for the thorough response Jim! This definitely answers all of my questions and concerns! Everything in the tank seems to be just fine with the temperature fluctuations, but everything in salt water is so temperamental that I wanted to be safe. I agree with you.. I will probably leave the set up as-is then. I didn't know about the heaters life spans though. I have two that are about $30ea so I will just replace those once a year. That is a good idea anyways so I appreciate the recommendation!

 

[fishguy242]

hi ,Ranco/Johnson controls, controller ,buy once.
cheap heaters are a disaster waiting to happen, Ehiem, will shut down upon failure 99.9% .
what size tank ?
wood stove only heat source of home ?