Temperature..

[Pixburgh]

For starters, still very much in the cycling process with my tank - a few days into my nitrite spike. I'm having issues keeping my temperature consistent though. I have two heaters in my tank on opposite sides, one is a 150 watt and the other is a 100 watt. I am constantly having to adjust them and I don't totally understand why. The room I keep the tank in stays fairly cool (it has a bunch of electronics in it). In one day i've seen the tank temperature go from 83 to 77. I want it around 78-79 but I can't seem to keep it stable. Any ideas?

P.s. I'm using a digital thermometer to monitor temps.

Also, my salinity is running low.. 1.020 - Is this an issue? I've had to top off the tank once so far with rodi water (no salt) due to evaporation.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Honestly running two heaters and tanking into consideration the variables of your tank, room, weather, etc. I would think you might need to pick up a controller to keep your tank temps that stable.

 

[jservedio]

For starters, still very much in the cycling process with my tank - a few days into my nitrite spike. I'm having issues keeping my temperature consistent though. I have two heaters in my tank on opposite sides, one is a 150 watt and the other is a 100 watt. I am constantly having to adjust them and I don't totally understand why. The room I keep the tank in stays fairly cool (it has a bunch of electronics in it). In one day i've seen the tank temperature go from 83 to 77. I want it around 78-79 but I can't seem to keep it stable. Any ideas?

P.s. I'm using a digital thermometer to monitor temps.

Also, my salinity is running low.. 1.020 - Is this an issue? I've had to top off the tank once so far with rodi water (no salt) due to evaporation.

You don't mention anything about water flow in your post - what kind of circulation do you have in your aquarium and what size is it? You can have the best, most precise heater in the world but if the water isn't circulating, you will have all kinds of problems.

Turnover isn't a good measure of flow for corals, but it is exactly the type of measurement you want to ensure even heating. The lower the turnover rate, the bigger the temperature gradients will be.

If you have garbage heaters, that could also be the problem. A decent quality heater, even without a controller of any sort should keep you within 2 degrees consistently between day and night.

 

[Mgoc]

How big is your tank?

 

[Pixburgh]

Tank is a 40 breeder. I have 2 Aqueon circulation pumps (rated 950 gph each) in my tank with a penguin 350 HOB filter in between.

 

[CastAway]

Is this a handheld digital thermometer, or continually immersed? Is it intended for aquarium use? Do you have an old fashion glass thermometer as a comparison?

 

[Pixburgh]

Continually immersed heater, it is intended for aquarium use. I don't have an old fashioned one to compare with but I have another digital thermometer I could put in if you think the one i'm using might be faulty.

 

[CastAway]

I think comparative measurements, and a good old fashion floating glass thermometer, could not hurt. A six degree loss in one day seems extreme. What's the ambient temp in the room?

 

[Pixburgh]

Alright i'll attach the other one to the tank to see and pick up a glass one tomorrow. I had heard a 3 degree shift was ok and encouraged sometimes but I know the 6 would be stressful on my fish. Want to get it straightened out before I add anyone for sure. Worried i'm going to have this issue with my quarantine tank (that i'm waiting to set up after the dt cycles). Temp in the room is 66 right now, it'll fluctuate a little when the room is finished -> hubby and brother are turning the room into an online streaming/broadcasting room so there are a bunch of electronics that will be on and running.

 

[TrialandError]

Salinity is to low if you are planning on keeping corals. I keep mine around 1.025

 

[Pixburgh]

Yeah, i'll be adding corals but raising the salinity first. Wasn't sure if i should be tackling that during the cycle or not.

 

[Waters]

I would definately raise it to whatever level you will be keeping it at later. Better to get all of your water parameters stable and correct now while it is cycling than when you have fish and inverts to worry about.

 

[HiddenUser]

Do you have a lid on your tank? If so, try removing it and see if you get more consistent temps.

 

[Pixburgh]

Waters - So since I can't do a water change yet, should I just add salt to my top off water for the next time I need to add it in?

ChuckeeR - Nope no lid on it.

 

[Waters]

Waters - So since I can't do a water change yet, should I just add salt to my top off water for the next time I need to add it in?

ChuckeeR - Nope no lid on it.

Yes....that will slowly raise your salinity each time you top off.