Help With Temp!!

juliedrool

juliedrool

New Member
I know ideally my temp should be at 77-78 degrees, but it's been hot here this last week and the temp got up to 82 degrees at one point even though my thermostat was set to 77. I'm assuming if room temp is at 82, will this mean the H20 will warm up to this point also? I live in Austin, Texas so would I need a chiller?

I don't have any livestock in there yet, thank goodness, and it's been set-up about 3 weeks and there's a slight film on the top of the water. Any ideas how to get rid of it? I don't have a skimmer yet because there's nothing in there and my dual power filters cycle 660 gallons per hour in a 55 gal tank.
Please, any suggestions will help tremendously. THANKS!!
 
27mtaylor

27mtaylor

Member
A lot of times your lighting can give off a lot of heat. That may be something to look at and add a fan if that is the case. I think the temperature swings are what you need to be concerned about. The temp in the tank shouldn't rise or drop but about 2 degrees during the course of the day.
 
dogstar

dogstar

Active Member
I keep mine at 80F so you can set the heater there or even higher as mentioned and need to place a small Powerhead in the tank and aim it to the top to make ripples on the suface to break up the film.
 
dieselndix

dieselndix

Member
not to jack your thread...but I am in austin too and just set up my new tank today....i was wondering what to do about the temp changes...and heat.
where are you getting your livestock from around here?
 
juliedrool

juliedrool

New Member
I have no livestock as of yet (taking my time) but I've only been to 3 LFS around here. Austin Aquariums is the best IMO because they have pretty good prices and have a knowledgeable staff, (guy's name is Michael). They have awesome live rock from Tonga and it's 6.99 lb. Quality stuff. There's another store, Aqua Dome. They have alot of livestock, but I've seen several of their specimens with Ick. Just be careful of what you buy. There's also Aquatek. They have an awesome deal on live sand (I think) at $1 a lb an it's really nice. You really just have to shop around. Some of my pets I will pick out locally and others I'm ordering online.
By the way Cain420, I DO have A/C just wasn't planning on spending a mint running it in the Spring. Got manners?
Dogstar, does everyone have this "film" I'm referring to? I do plan on getting a powerhead on Wednesday (When the husband gets paid
) so that'll hopefully do the trick. As far as the temp though, it's been 80 for 3 days now. The heater is set at 76 so it won't kick on. Should I just set it at 80 so it doesn't go below this but can allow to go up a little if it needs to?
Thanks for all the responses
 
cain420

cain420

Active Member
sorry if u took that as rude or un-manner-like.. didnt mean it that way.. chillers are very expensive, just wanted to offer an alternative for ya...i will not make the same mistake again... sorry..
 
zman1

zman1

Active Member
Originally Posted by juliedrool
1. Dogstar, does everyone have this "film" I'm referring to?
2.As far as the temp though, it's been 80 for 3 days now. The heater is set at 76 so it won't kick on. Should I just set it at 80 so it doesn't go below this but can allow to go up a little if it needs to?
1. Yes. An overflow or PH will help it.
2. Set your your heater higher to keep the water with minimal swing. So during the day with lights it gets 81 degrees, set your heater to turn on and keep the tank at 81 degrees as it starts to cool off at night without the lights or as the house cools down.
Did mean to speak for you Dogstar......
 
juliedrool

juliedrool

New Member
Ok, think I got it. Thanks everyone, and I'm very sorry Cain420, If I came off rude as well. Sometimes it's hard to analyze when there's no expression involved...ya know. And don't worry....I make mistakes all the time!!! :jumping:
 
dogstar

dogstar

Active Member
Originally Posted by zman1
Did mean to speak for you Dogstar......
Did ?? :notsure:
no problem, I do sleep sometimes.
 
zman1

zman1

Active Member
Originally Posted by Dogstar
Did ?? :notsure:
no problem, I do sleep sometimes.

Sorry
Meant "Didn't" - It's funny how a few letters change the whole meaning -lol
 
mikersof

mikersof

Member
Originally Posted by juliedrool
there's a slight film on the top of the water. Any ideas how to get rid of it? I don't have a skimmer yet
Hey Julie,
I'm also a total newbie to saltwater starting an 80 and a 29 mid January. WOW! there's so much to learn. I listened when it came to skimmers and bought an AquaC Remora with Maxi-jet 1200 for my 29 and the Remora Pro with Mag-Drive for my 80. I was told that there was nothing to the setup. Plug-and-Play so to speak. That info was RIGHT ON. You wouldn't believe the YUCK these little boxes pull out of the water. I also opted for the optional pre-skimmer boxes that take the top most layer of water and help reduce bubbles going back into the tank. I think it was a good investment.
Another tip that I am more and more taking to heart is if you are going to buy something for your auqarium, don't by cheap only to have to turn around and spend again the amount of money you would have spent to begin with. In other words, don't settle for something less than what you really need. Wait till you can afford it the right product.
I'm just up i35 from you about 300 miles. We have had 87-88 degrees here several days. WAY TOO WARM for this time of year. My Bradford Pears are already LEAFING OUT!!! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH I'm doing the same temp chasing and appreciate the above advice!!!
Best wishes all!
james =)
 
fishy7

fishy7

Active Member
What is a safe temp to keep reef aquariums at...I keep mine at 80 and now it is starting to hit 82 by the end of the light cycle. I assume it is ok to set the heater at 82 and call it a day?
 
merredeth

merredeth

Active Member
Originally Posted by dieselndix
not to jack your thread...but I am in austin too and just set up my new tank today....i was wondering what to do about the temp changes...and heat.
where are you getting your livestock from around here?
1. What size tank do you have?
Some people buy chillers and control temps with them. Some people adjust the lighting with timers if there is some fluctuation.
If you have MH lights, fans help control the heat if the fans are working correctly.
I live in Iowa and do not want to run a chiller in any tank. So when the temp climbs significantly, and my thermometer shows it climbing I have a fix that seems to work. Because I run multiple tanks in multiple rooms I needed a solution that worked fast. After doing this once, I now just do this all the time and it seems to work.
I take small .5L water bottle that I have used and take off the wrapper, filling them with saltwater at varying levels from 3/4 full to half full and keep them in the freezer. When the temp looks like it is beginning to climb too high I have popped one or more of the bottles in my tank and let it melt, keeping the lid on.
I use saltwater in the bottles as if by chance the bottle breaks (I've never had one, but worried about it) at least the salt in the water bottle is premixed and won't mess with water parameters.
It is a solution that has worked for me, while learning how to adjust my lighting to reduce the temp spike that has been known to happen during the day while I'm working and the kids want to cool the entire state of Iowa rather than my home.
Denise M.
 
merredeth

merredeth

Active Member
Originally Posted by FISHY7
I used plastic baggies last night but the water bottle is better. Thanks

The best part is you can reuse the water bottle over again and you don't have to worry about leakage at all.
Keep a couple of two litre bottles filled. I used to livng in Texas and if you aren't going to run a chiller you may need to go that large to keep the temp stable in your tank.
Denise M.
 
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