Intro, Nightly temp. swing harmful?

Akwarius · 10/05/2009, 05:09 AM

I'd like to introduce myself. I have been trolling rc and n-r for a couple of months now, absorbing the wealth of information. Thanks to reading the trials and tribulations of everyone here, the 24g nano that I bought off of craigslist has gone from an algae-infested sesspool to a thriving reef. It's strangely rewarding to keep these delicate organisms alive in such a small amount of water. I've been bitten by the reef bug, to the degree that it is even making its way into my artwork.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has seen any negative effects from nightly temperature swings. I know inverts like water parameters to be consistent, but I was also thinking that ocean water cools at night on an actual reef. Right now the tank is about 81-82 during the day and about 77-79 at night. I will be adding a 100w submersible heater into my sump soon, but wanted to cut down on energy costs and keep the tank happy.

Cozmo4 · 10/05/2009, 05:12 AM

Welcome! A gradual 4 degree daily temp swing is pretty typical. You've got nothing to worry about.

Akwarius · 10/05/2009, 05:23 AM

Great. Thanks!

Playa-1 · 10/05/2009, 08:31 AM

I agree with Cozmo. My tank temp runs between 76 and 85. It is normal for it to swing 3 or 4 degrees on any one day. I do not try and manipulate the temp unless is gets outside of that temp range. For example I have two heaters. One kicks in at 77 and the other kicks in at 76. The same on fans or a chiller. The fans I will switch on around 80degrees but the chiller will not come on until 86. I hardly ever use a chiller, I have my system set up to kill the MH lighting at 85. Us PO Reefers have cloudy days sometimes when it get too hot

10/05/2009, 05:09 AM	#1
Akwarius Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 398	Intro, Nightly temp. swing harmful? I'd like to introduce myself. I have been trolling rc and n-r for a couple of months now, absorbing the wealth of information. Thanks to reading the trials and tribulations of everyone here, the 24g nano that I bought off of craigslist has gone from an algae-infested sesspool to a thriving reef. It's strangely rewarding to keep these delicate organisms alive in such a small amount of water. I've been bitten by the reef bug, to the degree that it is even making its way into my artwork. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has seen any negative effects from nightly temperature swings. I know inverts like water parameters to be consistent, but I was also thinking that ocean water cools at night on an actual reef. Right now the tank is about 81-82 during the day and about 77-79 at night. I will be adding a 100w submersible heater into my sump soon, but wanted to cut down on energy costs and keep the tank happy.

10/05/2009, 05:12 AM	#2
Cozmo4 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 583	Welcome! A gradual 4 degree daily temp swing is pretty typical. You've got nothing to worry about.

10/05/2009, 05:23 AM	#3
Akwarius Moved On Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 398	Great. Thanks!

10/05/2009, 08:31 AM	#4
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I agree with Cozmo. My tank temp runs between 76 and 85. It is normal for it to swing 3 or 4 degrees on any one day. I do not try and manipulate the temp unless is gets outside of that temp range. For example I have two heaters. One kicks in at 77 and the other kicks in at 76. The same on fans or a chiller. The fans I will switch on around 80degrees but the chiller will not come on until 86. I hardly ever use a chiller, I have my system set up to kill the MH lighting at 85. Us PO Reefers have cloudy days sometimes when it get too hot