Your Reef Temperature Swing - Poll

Gooli · 06/02/2006, 11:26 AM

My tank temperature swings from 78 degrees to about 82-83.
I'm wondering what temperature swings you guys are getting.
(given that it is within the acceptable range of 78-84.

My yellow tang died a few days ago and i wonder if the temperature swing has anything to do with it.

thanks

fsn77 · 06/02/2006, 11:33 AM

As long as our house temp is steady (like now for the summer since the A/C is on), we only get a 1 - 2 degree swing in temperature. We run a reverse light cycle in our refugium, which I'm guessing keeps the temp from dropping a lot at night, and is one less source of heat during the day.

CrystalAZ · 06/02/2006, 12:11 PM

Mine is almost exactly like yours. Goes from 78.something at night to 81-82 during the day.

Crystal

Gooli · 06/02/2006, 12:19 PM

Crystal...hae you seen any ill affect?

Quote:

Originally posted by CrystalAZ
Mine is almost exactly like yours. Goes from 78.something at night to 81-82 during the day.

Crystal

CrystalAZ · 06/02/2006, 12:22 PM

No - my tank has always had a pretty big swing. It was worse (to about 84-85) but I put a clip on fan over the sump that comes on and goes off with my MH and that helped a lot.

Crystal

wetWolger · 06/02/2006, 12:48 PM

i voted 0 to 2.....but you did not say what scale you are using. (i voted for celsius)

raskal311 · 06/02/2006, 12:56 PM

During the winter my tank would go from 72-74 at night to 80 during the day.

Gooli · 06/02/2006, 01:05 PM

not sure i follow you here...my sump\refuge light comes on for 12 hours at night when all the lights are off - during the day there is no light over the sump - why would i need a fan over the sump at all?

Quote:

Originally posted by CrystalAZ
No - my tank has always had a pretty big swing. It was worse (to about 84-85) but I put a clip on fan over the sump that comes on and goes off with my MH and that helped a lot.

Crystal

xtrstangx · 06/02/2006, 01:08 PM

.3Âº (yes that is a decimal point)

My only problem with it is it doesn't seem natural. In the wild, as the sun comes up during the day, it has to heat up the water a few degrees, right? Oh well, I'm following what everyone else (the experts included) say to do.

CrystalAZ · 06/02/2006, 01:17 PM

I meant when the MH are on, a fan comes on over the sump. So while the MH are heating the water, the fan is cooling it.

Even though there is no light over the sump during the day, the same water travels through it.

Hope that makes sense.

Crystal

Gooli · 06/02/2006, 02:02 PM

oh yeah..it does...i'm gonna try that

thanks so much

CrystalAZ · 06/02/2006, 02:03 PM

Walmart has a $7 clip on one that works great and is disposable when it starts getting rusty.

Crystal

Gooli · 06/02/2006, 05:00 PM

dont you love walmart!

bearpeidog · 06/02/2006, 05:54 PM

And how many temp devices are accurate? I have two different digital thermometers that match at 82. I have a tube thermometer and an aquacontroller that show 84. So, I keep my tank at 82 or 84 depending on which one you want to go by. However, if it reads 84 you might really be at 86!

AZDesertRat · 06/02/2006, 05:55 PM

People really underestimate how well a couple of well placed fans can work. Before I added my chiller which was such a good deal at $150 that I couldn't pass it up or I still would be sucessfully using fans) if I didn't watch it I could lower the tank temp 8 degrees easily. I has to put all the fans on timers or it would get too cool and cause the heater to run all the time. And like Crystal thats here in Phoenix in the summer. I also have a Wal Mart clip on fan over my sump but now it is hooked to the second stage of my Ranco controller so if my chiller fails for any reason and the temp rises to 83 the fan comes on as a back up.

AZDesertRat · 06/02/2006, 05:58 PM

Its very easy to check the accuracy of a thermometer with a glass of ice and some water. Fill it full of ice, add some water stir it up until its at its coldest and insert the probe. It should read 32 degrees, if not its off. You can also check them against an accurate glass thermometer and write down the correction factor.

DJ88© · 06/02/2006, 06:41 PM

maybe 0.7 deg F swing. 77.2 - 77.9 max.

Drakis · 06/02/2006, 07:25 PM

Mine swings from about 78 to 82. I don't think that your swing would kill your fish, its not like its an instant change. I agree that its more natural to have some what of a swing.

E-A-G-L-E-S · 06/02/2006, 07:31 PM

i use a AC Jr. but leave some room between heating and cooling so the equipment isn't fighting eachother...
79.5 - 80.9

AquariaMan · 06/02/2006, 08:22 PM

78 at night to 80 with halides on in the day.

CaptiveReef · 06/02/2006, 08:39 PM

In the evening it's 78 degrees, during the day it's 82 with the lights on. I have the AC on in the house it's set on 75 degrees, because it's starting to get hot outside.
No ill effects with the temp, but I did notice at higher temps the Peppermint shrimp are just eating any available anemone's which is great! They are doing the job I wanted them to do.

CaptiveReef

jer77 · 06/02/2006, 08:46 PM

If my air conditioning is on or the temp inside is under 80F, then my tank stays at exactly 80. During the summer though, the temp has been increasing to 84 during the day if the air isn't on. I'm planing on putting some fans in the lights and a clip-on over the tank.

cwegescheide · 06/02/2006, 08:54 PM

I've got an ACIII and my temp swings from 79.9 - 80.5 The ACIII is a great piece of equipment... Not that easy to set up for various reasons but once you do get it where you want it its awesome.

want2reef · 06/02/2006, 09:10 PM

80 lights off.

82 lights on.

View Poll Results: Your reef tank temperature swing?
0-2 Degree swing	56	52.34%
3-4 Degree swing	40	37.38%
5-6 Degree swing	11	10.28%
Other	0	0%
Voters: 107. You may not vote on this poll

06/02/2006, 11:26 AM	#1
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	Your Reef Temperature Swing - Poll My tank temperature swings from 78 degrees to about 82-83. I'm wondering what temperature swings you guys are getting. (given that it is within the acceptable range of 78-84. My yellow tang died a few days ago and i wonder if the temperature swing has anything to do with it. thanks __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

06/02/2006, 12:11 PM	#3
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	Mine is almost exactly like yours. Goes from 78.something at night to 81-82 during the day. Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

06/02/2006, 12:22 PM	#5
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	No - my tank has always had a pretty big swing. It was worse (to about 84-85) but I put a clip on fan over the sump that comes on and goes off with my MH and that helped a lot. Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

06/02/2006, 12:48 PM	#6
wetWolger Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,955	i voted 0 to 2.....but you did not say what scale you are using. (i voted for celsius) __________________ cheers, jent d-_-b Current Tank Info: 66gal = 32x24x20

06/02/2006, 11:33 AM	#2
fsn77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SC Posts: 777	As long as our house temp is steady (like now for the summer since the A/C is on), we only get a 1 - 2 degree swing in temperature. We run a reverse light cycle in our refugium, which I'm guessing keeps the temp from dropping a lot at night, and is one less source of heat during the day.

06/02/2006, 12:56 PM	#7
raskal311 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Orange County Posts: 5,274	During the winter my tank would go from 72-74 at night to 80 during the day.

06/02/2006, 01:08 PM	#9
xtrstangx Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shawnee, Kansas Posts: 4,568	.3Âº (yes that is a decimal point) My only problem with it is it doesn't seem natural. In the wild, as the sun comes up during the day, it has to heat up the water a few degrees, right? Oh well, I'm following what everyone else (the experts included) say to do.

06/02/2006, 01:17 PM	#10
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	I meant when the MH are on, a fan comes on over the sump. So while the MH are heating the water, the fan is cooling it. Even though there is no light over the sump during the day, the same water travels through it. Hope that makes sense. Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

06/02/2006, 02:02 PM	#11
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	oh yeah..it does...i'm gonna try that thanks so much __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

06/02/2006, 02:03 PM	#12
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	Walmart has a $7 clip on one that works great and is disposable when it starts getting rusty. Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

06/02/2006, 05:00 PM	#13
Gooli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Los Angeles Posts: 3,746	dont you love walmart! __________________ "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. " - Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: 180g SPS

06/02/2006, 05:54 PM	#14
bearpeidog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Milton, Vermont Posts: 560	And how many temp devices are accurate? I have two different digital thermometers that match at 82. I have a tube thermometer and an aquacontroller that show 84. So, I keep my tank at 82 or 84 depending on which one you want to go by. However, if it reads 84 you might really be at 86!

06/02/2006, 05:55 PM	#15
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	People really underestimate how well a couple of well placed fans can work. Before I added my chiller which was such a good deal at $150 that I couldn't pass it up or I still would be sucessfully using fans) if I didn't watch it I could lower the tank temp 8 degrees easily. I has to put all the fans on timers or it would get too cool and cause the heater to run all the time. And like Crystal thats here in Phoenix in the summer. I also have a Wal Mart clip on fan over my sump but now it is hooked to the second stage of my Ranco controller so if my chiller fails for any reason and the temp rises to 83 the fan comes on as a back up.

06/02/2006, 05:58 PM	#16
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Its very easy to check the accuracy of a thermometer with a glass of ice and some water. Fill it full of ice, add some water stir it up until its at its coldest and insert the probe. It should read 32 degrees, if not its off. You can also check them against an accurate glass thermometer and write down the correction factor.

06/02/2006, 06:41 PM	#17
DJ88© Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: BC. Canada. Posts: 14,351	maybe 0.7 deg F swing. 77.2 - 77.9 max. __________________ Darren Beauty fades.... Stupid is forever...... Current Tank Info: 34 Gal Solana with some lights.. and pumps that make water move. And fish...

06/02/2006, 07:25 PM	#18
Drakis Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Vancouver, WA (the Couve) Posts: 241	Mine swings from about 78 to 82. I don't think that your swing would kill your fish, its not like its an instant change. I agree that its more natural to have some what of a swing.

06/02/2006, 07:31 PM	#19
E-A-G-L-E-S Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 7,038	i use a AC Jr. but leave some room between heating and cooling so the equipment isn't fighting eachother... 79.5 - 80.9 __________________ Smug Egotistical Contemptuous It's difficult to get a man to understand something that his salary requires him not to.

06/02/2006, 08:22 PM	#20
AquariaMan Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 9	78 at night to 80 with halides on in the day.

06/02/2006, 08:39 PM	#21
CaptiveReef LED FULL SPECTRUM REEFER Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,148	Reef Temp In the evening it's 78 degrees, during the day it's 82 with the lights on. I have the AC on in the house it's set on 75 degrees, because it's starting to get hot outside. No ill effects with the temp, but I did notice at higher temps the Peppermint shrimp are just eating any available anemone's which is great! They are doing the job I wanted them to do. CaptiveReef __________________ Okay I'm a Reef Fanatic !!!!! Current Tank Info: 120 Reef, DIY 5ft. protein skimmer, LED lighting.

06/02/2006, 08:46 PM	#22
jer77 Phish Lover Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,642	If my air conditioning is on or the temp inside is under 80F, then my tank stays at exactly 80. During the summer though, the temp has been increasing to 84 during the day if the air isn't on. I'm planing on putting some fans in the lights and a clip-on over the tank. __________________ - Jonny -, 120g 5 Year Old Reef w/ SPS, BTA, Zoos & some Softies. 40g Frag Tank. 40g Sump. Super Reef Octopus XP 3000 External Cone Skimmer. 250W Radiums. TaoTronics LED. PanWorld 200PS w/SQWD

06/02/2006, 08:54 PM	#23
cwegescheide YOU have been ignored! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 5,231	I've got an ACIII and my temp swings from 79.9 - 80.5 The ACIII is a great piece of equipment... Not that easy to set up for various reasons but once you do get it where you want it its awesome.

06/02/2006, 09:10 PM	#24
want2reef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tracy CA. Posts: 1,353	80 lights off. 82 lights on. __________________ Kevin The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. Current Tank Info: CADlights Artison II 165g, 50g sump,Aquamaxx Q-3 Skimmer, AI Hydra 26 HD.