Heaters to keep Temps stable

Daddyrawg · 08/12/2020, 01:46 PM

If my Temps drop to 76 but rise to 80 is it smart to set heater at 78 so it doesn't drop to 76 resulting in more stability?

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billdogg · 08/12/2020, 05:28 PM

If it maxes out at 80 I'd be tempted to leave it there. Perhaps a bit warmer than I'd prefer (77 for me) but well within tolerances of anything we might normally keep.

Vinny Kreyling · 08/12/2020, 05:28 PM

In this case 2 is better than 4.
However, I had a chiller with a 4 degree spread too.

Daddyrawg · 08/12/2020, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

If it maxes out at 80 I'd be tempted to leave it there. Perhaps a bit warmer than I'd prefer (77 for me) but well within tolerances of anything we might normally keep.

Ok i think these temp differences are what caused my corals to bleach

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Sk8r · 08/12/2020, 09:35 PM

Accuracy also matters. Not only do you need a heater (2 if a large tank) you need a thermometer you can trust. Strong light PLUS high temps can bleach corals and coralline (been there)... if your temp swings too high, cut the lights. LEDs aren't as heat-charging as the old Metal Halides, but it still matters. Wide swings are not a good thing.

For your future reference and information, though not at issue here: most fish and non-fish die when temp drops to 62F plus a fraction; or rises to 83---in which the fact that hot water carries much less oxygen than cold does also comes into play. So death will be hastened by suffocation. That 62-83 is the life range for a reef tank, 78-79 is probably the safest comfort range for most that we keep; and the second thing to remember is that chemistry (including life) proceeds faster in overheating and slower in loss of heat.
If your tank suffered in the low range once, it's not good; but it's increasingly bad if the heat dips repeatedly; and calamity happens fast if that temperature kicks up into the danger zone.

All that aside, if you find your heater (check the wattage against what's available) is struggling, installing a second one may help that one cope. And bear in mind heaters get longer with more power: check that if you order another heater. The high powered ones can be longer than your tank is deep.

08/12/2020, 01:46 PM	#1
Daddyrawg Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 814	Heaters to keep Temps stable If my Temps drop to 76 but rise to 80 is it smart to set heater at 78 so it doesn't drop to 76 resulting in more stability? Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

08/12/2020, 05:28 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	If it maxes out at 80 I'd be tempted to leave it there. Perhaps a bit warmer than I'd prefer (77 for me) but well within tolerances of anything we might normally keep. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/12/2020, 05:28 PM	#3
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	In this case 2 is better than 4. However, I had a chiller with a 4 degree spread too. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

08/12/2020, 09:35 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Accuracy also matters. Not only do you need a heater (2 if a large tank) you need a thermometer you can trust. Strong light PLUS high temps can bleach corals and coralline (been there)... if your temp swings too high, cut the lights. LEDs aren't as heat-charging as the old Metal Halides, but it still matters. Wide swings are not a good thing. For your future reference and information, though not at issue here: most fish and non-fish die when temp drops to 62F plus a fraction; or rises to 83---in which the fact that hot water carries much less oxygen than cold does also comes into play. So death will be hastened by suffocation. That 62-83 is the life range for a reef tank, 78-79 is probably the safest comfort range for most that we keep; and the second thing to remember is that chemistry (including life) proceeds faster in overheating and slower in loss of heat. If your tank suffered in the low range once, it's not good; but it's increasingly bad if the heat dips repeatedly; and calamity happens fast if that temperature kicks up into the danger zone. All that aside, if you find your heater (check the wattage against what's available) is struggling, installing a second one may help that one cope. And bear in mind heaters get longer with more power: check that if you order another heater. The high powered ones can be longer than your tank is deep. __________________ 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%.