Temperatures b/t 75 & 80 ok?

[FraggledRock]

So I have been testing something out in my DT while the fish are in QT and there's only one coral frag in DT.

I have my heater in the QT and the temp is a solid 82o F.

Now my DT has NO heater and it is a solid 75o - 77o F

I am guessing it is a combination Room Temp + Equipment heat dispersion + Lights.

This is also in NY during the winter in a basement.

My question is if I NEVER keep a heater on and have the tank water fluctuate with the outside environment temp to replicate winter and summer seasons of cooler winters and hotter summers will this be ok?

Summer time that room can easily hit 85+.

So if at the LOWEST temp is 75o in NY winter(home thermostat is at 70o, why would I need a heater if typically temps are from 76 - 82?

My corals is still alive. Copepods are still rising in numbers(visually). it has been 1 week since the DT has had no heater.

I am guessing if it would have done any damage the coral would have been done and no more life left. ALL my snails are alive, my shrimps and the rest of the CUC as well.

I am just starting to HATE heaters. i want as little electronics as possible in there and as natural as possible!

[username in use]

85 is pretty warm, you'll start to notice some problems at that temperature. I run my tank around 72 because that is where it is at with the room temp and everything is fine. Too warm though is tough to keep going.

[FraggledRock]

Originally Posted by username in use

85 is pretty warm, you'll start to notice some problems at that temperature. I run my tank around 72 because that is where it is at with the room temp and everything is fine. Too warm though is tough to keep going.

So I am fine right now with no heater at a constant 75/76 degrees?

[rfgonzo]

I personally wouldn't want temperature that low 75/76 even if it is consistent, I would aim more towards 78/79. Also in the summer if your fish room gets up to 85° I would invest in a chiller.

[FraggledRock]

Originally Posted by rfgonzo

I personally wouldn't want temperature that low 75/76 even if it is consistent, I would aim more towards 78/79. Also in the summer if your fish room gets up to 85° I would invest in a chiller.

Ok I will see what I can figure out. maybe keep a space heater near the tank, versus a heater IN the tank =P

summer time I will probably try an external fan if all else fails ill get a chiller depending on total temp

[rfgonzo]

Is there a certain concern that you have about putting a heater in your tank? In the long run a space heater will cost more to operate.

[username in use]

Originally Posted by rfgonzo

I personally wouldn't want temperature that low 75/76 even if it is consistent,

Can you explain your reasoning? Even in tropical waters when you dive down 20-30 feet where many corals are growing and thriving the temperature drops down to the mid 70's and lower in places. Ive seen no adverse affects from 72 degrees in my tank.

[morleyz]

Originally Posted by rfgonzo

Is there a certain concern that you have about putting a heater in your tank? In the long run a space heater will cost more to operate.

This would be my guess:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2472277

[FraggledRock]

Originally Posted by rfgonzo

Is there a certain concern that you have about putting a heater in your tank? In the long run a space heater will cost more to operate.

well 2 nights ago my QT heater seemed to have zapped my Yellow Tang, and it passed away within hours of the incident.

So I want to try and keep the least amount of possible stray voltage pumping into my tank.

at this point worrying about another electronic device is like wondering why were in the hobby.

Skimmer pump
2 light fixtures
return pump
2 circulation pumps
air pump
QT tank with filter

I think an external heater is the least f the problems, especially since I will be warmed up too! LOL

[Jocko]

Oh that sucks about the heater and your tang! I personally run my main tank at 77 and its fine. So I think you're fine 99.9% of the time. The concern would be if there was something, say like a problem with your home heat, and the temp dropped significantly.

What would you think about a heater but perhaps turned down to the low 70s? That way it would typically never be on at all. But just in case, it could come on to prevent a serious temp crash. Hopefully the chance of that situation occurring AND the heater malfunctioning at the same time would be exceedingly low.

[LittleBeard]

I don't run a heater, granted I live in south florida...

I don't know the situation in that room how well it's heated and/or cooled, but there are mechanical methods for heating and cooling. You can put glass over the top of the tank to slow evaporation and trap heat.(you know for those frigid nights when it gets down to 50's!) To cool just remove, and put a fan blowing over the top to increase evaporation which will cool the tank.

These methods work, but I would be more worried about the huge temp swings in the summer months. If it's 85 during the day and then drops to the 60's at night, i would worry a bit.

[rfgonzo]

Originally Posted by username in use

Can you explain your reasoning? Even in tropical waters when you dive down 20-30 feet where many corals are growing and thriving the temperature drops down to the mid 70's and lower in places. Ive seen no adverse affects from 72 degrees in my tank.

As I said, I personally would not run my tank that low. Aquarium temperature can run on average from 72° to 82° and flourish. But in my experience with different systems, I have had the best results in the upper middle of that range work best for me. One reason if I ever have heaters or chiller stop working my temperature won't fluctuate up or down too fast. If a temperature fluctuates a few degrees in the course of a day it won't be problematic, but if the temperature has wide fluctuations it can be harmful.

[FraggledRock]

Originally Posted by Jocko

Oh that sucks about the heater and your tang! I personally run my main tank at 77 and its fine. So I think you're fine 99.9% of the time. The concern would be if there was something, say like a problem with your home heat, and the temp dropped significantly.

What would you think about a heater but perhaps turned down to the low 70s? That way it would typically never be on at all. But just in case, it could come on to prevent a serious temp crash. Hopefully the chance of that situation occurring AND the heater malfunctioning at the same time would be exceedingly low.

Yea i was starting to really admire that little guy! he had a name. Sunshine!

Good point on the low setting for insurance!

[FraggledRock]

Originally Posted by LittleBeard

I don't run a heater, granted I live in south florida...

I don't know the situation in that room how well it's heated and/or cooled, but there are mechanical methods for heating and cooling. You can put glass over the top of the tank to slow evaporation and trap heat.(you know for those frigid nights when it gets down to 50's!) To cool just remove, and put a fan blowing over the top to increase evaporation which will cool the tank.

These methods work, but I would be more worried about the huge temp swings in the summer months. If it's 85 during the day and then drops to the 60's at night, i would worry a bit.

That is the thing that inspired me to maybe run no heater. it hit a low of like 18 degrees F last week and my tank didn't budge under 75 +/-

I may think about puttng glass with some holes for feeding and a little aeration.

thanks!

[A sea K]

You might want to read this thread if your running lower temps. My tank was running between 75-76 deg and the listed link information from the thread convinced me I needed to be at a higher temp. Be sure to read the links from the thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2459316

[FraggledRock]

Originally Posted by A sea K

You might want to read this thread if your running lower temps. My tank was running between 75-76 deg and the listed link information from the thread convinced me I needed to be at a higher temp. Be sure to read the links from the thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2459316

reading...

[FraggledRock]

Originally Posted by A sea K

You might want to read this thread if your running lower temps. My tank was running between 75-76 deg and the listed link information from the thread convinced me I needed to be at a higher temp. Be sure to read the links from the thread.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2459316

im now more confused LOL

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1869167

[FraggledRock]

http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressreleas...ps_study_shows

http://www.nature.com/srep/2012/1202...srep00240.html

[FraggledRock]

I think i'm leaving it with no heater.

Science based Science.
http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressreleas...ps_study_shows

Id rather NOT have a heater short out and NOIT worry about OVERHEATING,then KNOW my tanks temp will NOT go under 75 even in the coldest part of NYC

[rfgonzo]

Originally Posted by FraggledRock

I think i'm leaving it with no heater.

Science based Science.
http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressreleas...ps_study_shows

Id rather NOT have a heater short out and NOIT worry about OVERHEATING,then KNOW my tanks temp will NOT go under 75 even in the coldest part of NYC

Unless of course you have a power outage and no backup. In a New York Cold winter I can see the temperatures dropping pretty rapidly.