high temp....wont come down

edaw31

Member
I had a tape thermometer that doesnt give consisten readings but now is reading around 76-77 degrees F. I just bought a digital that is currently reading 80.....Which should i follow and how do i get that temp down to 78.. I turned my heater off and the house is defintely under 78 around 72 likely. My salinity is high...could that be the cause?
 

decaywunz

Member
the digital should be the more acurate one. if you want your temp to drop, lower your heater...don't turn it off! I wouldnt worry about the temp being at 80*. I keep mine at 78-80*. and the salinity levels shouldnt be the cause of that. but if they are high, I would suggest lowering them to around 1.024.
 

capt.lunch

Member
I would say 82' max. Above that and the enviroment starts to change. How long do you run your lights, and how strong are they?
 
I would lower your heater, temperature will drop eventually, and if you want to drop temp quickly add ice cubes. I have a bad full or RO/DI ice cubes for use in the summer to keep my temperature low. Just a suggestion.
 
X

xnikki118x

Guest
I also use ice cubes to help control my tank temperature when it's sweltering in my house in the summertime. I just put them in a ziploc bag and float them in the tank. It's always worked for me.
 

edaw31

Member
Ok I wake up and my temp is 83.4....I turned my heater OFF. should I turn it back on??? Wont that just add to my problem? The house is at 73 degrees right now.. What the heck is going on?
 

edaw31

Member
I just got a Zoo Med powerhead and thought the ywere supposed to be totally underwater... This one has a tube that takes air and pushed it through the water so that it is mostly in the water with a small part sticking out... Is that correct?
 

stevedsona

Member
I had the same problem. What kind of heater do you have? I went out and bought a new visa therm stealth (I think)and it solved my problem......
Good luck
 

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by edaw31
Ok I wake up and my temp is 83.4....I turned my heater OFF. should I turn it back on???

Anywhere from 80F - 85F is fine for tropical Saltwater. If your heater's temp sensor is defective you might need to set it at a lower temp. If it's not adjustable then go get one that is.
 

edaw31

Member
guys..My heater doesnt have a temp sensor..I just have to get it to the right setting and leave it...I turned it completely off as in unplugged....The heater wouldnt cool the water off would it?? its as if the water were just sitting in my house with no heat source at all...excpet maybe lights...the house is at 72
 

rockies

Member
First, I would try a different thermometer to rule out a defect there. Once you know you have a working thermometer, turn off the lights for a few days and keep monitoring the temp. If it rises or doesn't fall, then try lowering the temperature with ice (in a bag if not RO/DI water).
Once you have it just below your ideal temperature, then you should use your heater to keep it at the ideal temp.
While doing all of that, you should confirm that your heater is working. Take it out and put it into a bucket of tap water (cold) and see if makes the temperature rise (keep the water circulating during this test). If you determine your heater is defective, replace.
If you feel you need to address this immediately, then another thing you can do is a water change with a batch of water that is lower in temperature than your tank. If you can do the math (you have to know all the ratios between your batch and your tank), you can figure out what temp your batch needs to be to lower the tank temp by your desired degrees. (Let us know if you can figure this out and we can help with the algebra.) Placing the cold batch in with the warm tank will lower the tank to your desired temperature. You have to be *VERY* careful with this though since a large change in temperature can stress your tank and kill livestock.
I hope this helps.
 

snipe

Active Member

Originally posted by Bang Guy
Anywhere from 80F - 85F is fine for tropical Saltwater. If your heater's temp sensor is defective you might need to set it at a lower temp. If it's not adjustable then go get one that is.

Listen to bang. If you can adjust your heater then it has a sensor and will kick on and off all the time. If you cant adjust it then it dont have a senor and runs at a preditermind degree. My heater has a deffective sensor but it is opposite of yours. As were when your is turned down low and is to high. Mine is turned up to almost 90 and is at 80. Just turn your heater down until it reads on the thermo the temp you want. And leave it plugged in 72 is to cold for a SWT it needs to be at least 78 for a fish only. As bang posted 85 would be the max and your only at 83.4 that is aceptible. I run mine at 80 and I have no problems.
 

kdfrosty

Active Member
Living in a desert, and having my tank near a window, I haved to use a chiller during the summer months. This may not be a solution for you, but thought I would throw it out there since it has not been mentioned.
 
Top