Temperature is changing 6 degrees from day-night...

joem1cha3l · 03/28/2011, 08:58 AM

Hey guys, ive finding that my temperature is changing from about 80 degree during the day to about 74 at night (lights kick off, heat in the house goes down a bit). Is this okay or do i need to find a solution?

Sugar Magnolia · 03/28/2011, 08:59 AM

Are you using a heater? 74 is a bit too cold for a reef tank. Try to keep it up around 78.

IslandCrow · 03/28/2011, 09:02 AM

That's a little more than I'd normally consider acceptable, but that's not to say it will necessarily cause any great harm (I honestly just don't know for sure). A heater can easily regulate that, and they're not very expensive at all. Of course, it's usually advised that you use a separate controller in addition to the heater just as a safety measure in case the heater's thermostat fails, and that does make it a bit more expensive. Generally, I only let my temperatures fluxuate 3-4 degrees.

duncantse · 03/28/2011, 09:18 AM

IMO, I think that's a little too much of a swing. Mine usually only swings 3 degrees. Buy a heater.

3mm3 · 03/28/2011, 09:48 AM

well i think if you put a heater on its not going to do much for your temp swing.. instead of your 74-80 now youll prob get 76-82....
i would go with maybe a fan turning on when your lights are on instead..

3mm3 · 03/28/2011, 09:52 AM

i probably should have asked what type of lighting you have on the tank.

almostazoo · 03/28/2011, 09:59 AM

I run MH lighting, with heater set for 79, lights come on temp goes up to 80

Sk8r · 03/28/2011, 10:30 AM

I'd let it rise to 81 during the day, and keep it one degree warmer at night in consequence---

Pretty soon it'll be summer and you'll need to change that back again; you have much, much more leeway in a downward direction than up, so don't worry too much. 85 starts lethality re heat; 62, re cold.

kmasonbx · 03/28/2011, 10:35 AM

I'm confused on this issue, in the wild won't the temperature swings be bigger than 6 degrees between day and night? Or in these tropical waters does the temperature stay pretty constant?

IslandCrow · 03/30/2011, 12:45 PM

Ocean temps in general, and especially in the tropics (and even higher latitudes) don't vary all that much between day and night. On the other hand, you will have cold/warm water currents that will change temperatures at least 3-4 degrees within seconds.

03/28/2011, 08:58 AM	#1
joem1cha3l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,158	Temperature is changing 6 degrees from day-night... Hey guys, ive finding that my temperature is changing from about 80 degree during the day to about 74 at night (lights kick off, heat in the house goes down a bit). Is this okay or do i need to find a solution? __________________ IM10G Nano - MP10, AI Nano, RKL

03/28/2011, 08:59 AM	#2
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Are you using a heater? 74 is a bit too cold for a reef tank. Try to keep it up around 78. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

03/28/2011, 09:02 AM	#3
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	That's a little more than I'd normally consider acceptable, but that's not to say it will necessarily cause any great harm (I honestly just don't know for sure). A heater can easily regulate that, and they're not very expensive at all. Of course, it's usually advised that you use a separate controller in addition to the heater just as a safety measure in case the heater's thermostat fails, and that does make it a bit more expensive. Generally, I only let my temperatures fluxuate 3-4 degrees. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

03/28/2011, 09:59 AM	#7
almostazoo Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Avondale Posts: 241	I run MH lighting, with heater set for 79, lights come on temp goes up to 80 __________________ Good water saves lives. Current Tank Info: 52g 36LX24WX14H 20L sump mixed reef

03/28/2011, 10:30 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I'd let it rise to 81 during the day, and keep it one degree warmer at night in consequence--- Pretty soon it'll be summer and you'll need to change that back again; you have much, much more leeway in a downward direction than up, so don't worry too much. 85 starts lethality re heat; 62, re cold. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/28/2011, 09:18 AM	#4
duncantse Fish Advisor Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,604	IMO, I think that's a little too much of a swing. Mine usually only swings 3 degrees. Buy a heater.

03/28/2011, 09:48 AM	#5
3mm3 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MI Posts: 92	well i think if you put a heater on its not going to do much for your temp swing.. instead of your 74-80 now youll prob get 76-82.... i would go with maybe a fan turning on when your lights are on instead..

03/28/2011, 09:52 AM	#6
3mm3 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MI Posts: 92	i probably should have asked what type of lighting you have on the tank.

03/28/2011, 10:35 AM	#9
kmasonbx Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 67	I'm confused on this issue, in the wild won't the temperature swings be bigger than 6 degrees between day and night? Or in these tropical waters does the temperature stay pretty constant?

03/30/2011, 12:45 PM	#10
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	Ocean temps in general, and especially in the tropics (and even higher latitudes) don't vary all that much between day and night. On the other hand, you will have cold/warm water currents that will change temperatures at least 3-4 degrees within seconds. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

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