having unusal heat issues

sunamoon · 03/06/2006, 07:03 AM

I've had my tank going for two years now come april. This week all of the sudden the temp's going up to 85 and holding.

I have turned down my heater to 72' hoping to balance the lights with the heat, removed my glass tops and turned on the ceiling fan. I've checked all the pumps, 4 mj 1200's, 1 mag 3 running the skimmer. I replaced my digital thermometer yesterday hoping it was just malfunctioning. but when i added the new one it said it was 87! i about had a heart attack. I like my tank to stay at 82-83' it does fine at those temps. but 87? while things seem to be ok, I added a bag of ice in a zip lock and turned off all lights! checked it this morning and right now with lights off its at 83'.

So any idea's where this heat has come from?

There is no way i can add a chiller at this point. But i have never had a heat problem before.

any ideas would be appreciated.

beaniebeagle · 03/06/2006, 07:28 AM

unplug the heater and see what happens as the day goes on, if the temp drops, replug it in and check on it every so often

im new to this, but already had a heater staying on too long

sunamoon · 03/06/2006, 07:30 AM

thanks beanie! going to try that now.

a4twenty · 03/06/2006, 07:42 AM

i'm with beanie, check your heaters aren't stuck on. just watch them and see if they come on or are on all the time. i've heard of them getting stuck on if salt gets inside.

sunamoon · 03/06/2006, 07:48 AM

well i thought of the heater thing too but when i saw the light wasn't on i figured it was not it. But when beanie mentioned it it occured to me it may be staying on without the light even working. so its worth a shot.

if anybody else has anymore idea's feel free to comment. I don't want to over look any thing that might be the culprit.

Agu · 03/06/2006, 07:49 AM

If it's not the heater(s) I'd suspect the pumps.

As they gunk up they lose their efficiency and have more friction, creating more heat. If you haven't cleaned your pumps/powerheads in a while now might be a good time. I'd esp suspect the Mag 3.

sunamoon · 03/06/2006, 07:54 AM

you may be right. I only take that one aprt about 3 times last year and have not done it this year. it's a p i a to remove from the skimmer. but it will have to be done!
thanks for the suggestion

beaniebeagle · 03/06/2006, 10:37 AM

it just would still go on and off when the temps were 87F, it wasnt just stuck on.

was dumbfounded because each time i looked, the heater was off. it was about the 6th or 7th walk up and down the stairs when i saw the light on. it was set for 74F, but two separate thermeters said 87F. it took quite a while for the temp to go back down

not the best thing to happen when new to the hobby, it was the first heater i ever bought and my only fish (two clowns) , have only been in the tank for about two weeks

glad i wasnt working that day

sunamoon · 03/06/2006, 11:52 AM

I understand about the not working issue when there is a problem. I have a horror of coming home and finding the tank completely crashed.

sheila

beaniebeagle · 03/06/2006, 02:17 PM

IF it is the heater, just crank the heat up in your house(to maybe 73 or 74) till you get a new one. i keep my house around 72, the wife will sometimes sneak it up to 74

now i have learned not to get a more powerful heater than what is needed.

RLMainers · 03/06/2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by beaniebeagle
IF it is the heater, just crank the heat up in your house(to maybe 73 or 74) till you get a new one. i keep my house around 72, the wife will sometimes sneak it up to 74

now i have learned not to get a more powerful heater than what is needed.

Holy cow! I'm glad I don't live at your house! My thermostat never goes above 70!! I would die of heat stroke!

sunamoon · 03/07/2006, 07:40 AM

Well heat source is confirmed. Mag 3. After i got it cleaned and replugged it up, after a couple of hours tank went back to 82'. So hopefullly it will not rear its ugly head again! will make sure i clean that thing more often!

thanks every one for the advice and help!

I do keep my house pretty warm. we have a gas heater onthe wall. And i love just standing in front of it when i get a chill. but the house probably stays at least 75'. I hate cold of any kind!!

03/06/2006, 07:03 AM	#1
sunamoon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Crossplains, TN Posts: 390	having unusal heat issues I've had my tank going for two years now come april. This week all of the sudden the temp's going up to 85 and holding. I have turned down my heater to 72' hoping to balance the lights with the heat, removed my glass tops and turned on the ceiling fan. I've checked all the pumps, 4 mj 1200's, 1 mag 3 running the skimmer. I replaced my digital thermometer yesterday hoping it was just malfunctioning. but when i added the new one it said it was 87! i about had a heart attack. I like my tank to stay at 82-83' it does fine at those temps. but 87? while things seem to be ok, I added a bag of ice in a zip lock and turned off all lights! checked it this morning and right now with lights off its at 83'. So any idea's where this heat has come from? There is no way i can add a chiller at this point. But i have never had a heat problem before. any ideas would be appreciated. __________________ Blessed Be Suna Current Tank Info: PC lighting,DSB,120lbs lr,4 mj1200's, remora pro skimmer

03/06/2006, 07:28 AM	#2
beaniebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: baltimore md Posts: 387	unplug the heater and see what happens as the day goes on, if the temp drops, replug it in and check on it every so often im new to this, but already had a heater staying on too long __________________ stupid questions do not exist, just too many stupid people Current Tank Info: 120g,1260 eheim,reef octo skimmer,vortechs x2,tek 8X54w, 2 false percs,1 bartlett anthia, 1 baby mandarin, 2 purple firefish, 2 green gobies, 1 citron goby, 1 bengai cardinal

03/06/2006, 07:30 AM	#3
sunamoon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Crossplains, TN Posts: 390	thanks beanie! going to try that now. __________________ Blessed Be Suna Current Tank Info: PC lighting,DSB,120lbs lr,4 mj1200's, remora pro skimmer

03/06/2006, 07:48 AM	#5
sunamoon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Crossplains, TN Posts: 390	well i thought of the heater thing too but when i saw the light wasn't on i figured it was not it. But when beanie mentioned it it occured to me it may be staying on without the light even working. so its worth a shot. if anybody else has anymore idea's feel free to comment. I don't want to over look any thing that might be the culprit. __________________ Blessed Be Suna Current Tank Info: PC lighting,DSB,120lbs lr,4 mj1200's, remora pro skimmer

03/06/2006, 07:49 AM	#6
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	If it's not the heater(s) I'd suspect the pumps. As they gunk up they lose their efficiency and have more friction, creating more heat. If you haven't cleaned your pumps/powerheads in a while now might be a good time. I'd esp suspect the Mag 3. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

03/06/2006, 07:42 AM	#4
a4twenty Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,603	i'm with beanie, check your heaters aren't stuck on. just watch them and see if they come on or are on all the time. i've heard of them getting stuck on if salt gets inside.

03/06/2006, 07:54 AM	#7
sunamoon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Crossplains, TN Posts: 390	you may be right. I only take that one aprt about 3 times last year and have not done it this year. it's a p i a to remove from the skimmer. but it will have to be done! thanks for the suggestion __________________ Blessed Be Suna Current Tank Info: PC lighting,DSB,120lbs lr,4 mj1200's, remora pro skimmer

03/06/2006, 10:37 AM	#8
beaniebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: baltimore md Posts: 387	it just would still go on and off when the temps were 87F, it wasnt just stuck on. was dumbfounded because each time i looked, the heater was off. it was about the 6th or 7th walk up and down the stairs when i saw the light on. it was set for 74F, but two separate thermeters said 87F. it took quite a while for the temp to go back down not the best thing to happen when new to the hobby, it was the first heater i ever bought and my only fish (two clowns) , have only been in the tank for about two weeks glad i wasnt working that day __________________ stupid questions do not exist, just too many stupid people Current Tank Info: 120g,1260 eheim,reef octo skimmer,vortechs x2,tek 8X54w, 2 false percs,1 bartlett anthia, 1 baby mandarin, 2 purple firefish, 2 green gobies, 1 citron goby, 1 bengai cardinal

03/06/2006, 11:52 AM	#9
sunamoon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Crossplains, TN Posts: 390	I understand about the not working issue when there is a problem. I have a horror of coming home and finding the tank completely crashed. sheila __________________ Blessed Be Suna Current Tank Info: PC lighting,DSB,120lbs lr,4 mj1200's, remora pro skimmer

03/06/2006, 02:17 PM	#10
beaniebeagle Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: baltimore md Posts: 387	IF it is the heater, just crank the heat up in your house(to maybe 73 or 74) till you get a new one. i keep my house around 72, the wife will sometimes sneak it up to 74 now i have learned not to get a more powerful heater than what is needed. __________________ stupid questions do not exist, just too many stupid people Current Tank Info: 120g,1260 eheim,reef octo skimmer,vortechs x2,tek 8X54w, 2 false percs,1 bartlett anthia, 1 baby mandarin, 2 purple firefish, 2 green gobies, 1 citron goby, 1 bengai cardinal

03/07/2006, 07:40 AM	#12
sunamoon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Crossplains, TN Posts: 390	Well heat source is confirmed. Mag 3. After i got it cleaned and replugged it up, after a couple of hours tank went back to 82'. So hopefullly it will not rear its ugly head again! will make sure i clean that thing more often! thanks every one for the advice and help! I do keep my house pretty warm. we have a gas heater onthe wall. And i love just standing in front of it when i get a chill. but the house probably stays at least 75'. I hate cold of any kind!! __________________ Blessed Be Suna Current Tank Info: PC lighting,DSB,120lbs lr,4 mj1200's, remora pro skimmer