Will lower temperature drop all consumption

[The Opinionated Reefer]

My tank has temperature swings as much as 3 degrees Celsius due to the T5 lights. I am trying to get this reduced as it was getting as high as 28.5 Celsius. So reduced the overall swing down to between 23.5 and 25 Celsius but I have noticed a drop in ALK consumption is this something to worry about?

 

[MnFish1]

My tank has temperature swings as much as 3 degrees Celsius due to the T5 lights. I am trying to get this reduced as it was getting as high as 28.5 Celsius. So reduced the overall swing down to between 23.5 and 25 Celsius but I have noticed a drop in ALK consumption is this something to worry about?

That seems like a huge swing. From my experience - the higher the temp the more bacteria, the faster coral grow, etc - so it would make sense that the higher the TEMP the higher the consumption. Combine that with the fact that the lights are causing the swing - when coral and algae growth will also be elevated - and thats why you would see a rise (and a drop) perhaps

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

Yeah getting a better temperature controller. I don't need the heater on when the lights are on.

 

[stanlalee]

High temps do equal higher alk consumption (probably more from coraline algae than corals). I wouldn't be too concerned with reaching 28.5C if it's a peak temp. I would be concerned with a 3deg C swing (not to be confused with F in which case not nearly as concerned). Rather than targeting 23.5-25C (which is as too low to fall as you feel 28.5 is too high to reach IMO). I would leave the peak at 28.5 and raise my heater temps to kick on at 28C BUT If u can lower temps to 23.5-25 then a more ideal peak of 27C should be easy and just use the heaters to come on at 26C.
I don't think 3 deg F (like 77-80F over an 8-10 hours) makes ANY difference in health and reefers have just become overly anal over everything. I've used halides over multiple reefs for 15 years and that kind of swing was never done anything negative.

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

Yeah I'm aiming for around 26C as an average temperature.

 

[MnFish1]

I'm curious - how high are your lights as compared to the water. What temp is your heater scheduled to come on? What is the temperature in your room? Do you have a canopy, etc - are you sure your temp measurements are accurate? It would be surprising to see that big a jump with just lights - unless they are way overwhelming for the size of tank, you have a very small water volume, or a cover/top that does not allow ambient air.

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

It's an 8x 54w powermodle over a reefer 350. Heater is just a ehiem jaguar no heating controller.

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

My pH is not getting as high as it should either wandering if something else is wrong.

 

[MnFish1]

The tank looks great. I'm not sure why you're concerned - is there a chance that your temperature monitor is not correct? I assume the Jager heater has a temperature setting?

 

[Greg P]

I have the same fixture and ya they do throw a lot of heat.
It won't look pretty but you could put a fan on a back corner blowing straight across the top of the cover, when the light is on.

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

The tank looks great. I'm not sure why you're concerned - is there a chance that your temperature monitor is not correct? I assume the Jager heater has a temperature setting?

Got more than one thing monitoring the temperature. The swing had never really caused any problems but iv got some acropora that are not doing well and I am trying to eliminate all possible causes. I need to get an actual temperature controller. That should reduce the swing.