michaelstern
Member
Over the summer, my tank temp is usually between 78-80 F. In the winter, it tends to be 75. Is this a problem? I already have two heaters going (1 in tank, 1 in sump). Should I add a third?
tank temp
- Thread starter michaelstern
- Start date
kev
Member
Yea I would if I were you, I try to keep my tanks at 82-85. That seems to be what the temps are on the natural reefs so woulnd't it be better to have that temp in yer tank? Also, I think of my fish when tryin to decide on this one... Wouldn't you rather be a little too warm then cold all the time?? 
A
alti
Guest
i would get rid of 1 of those heaters and get a bigger one to replace it. 3 will take up too much room. i was on vacation for 3 weeks and one of my heaters died. the temp was around 74 (was 80-83) when i came home. my frogspawn and open brains have not seemed normal since.
azeritis
Member
Although you will get different opinions on the correct water temp, I believe that abrupt changes really disrupt a tank. Keeping temp at 85 during summer and gradually dropping to 78 during winter may not really matter. But 85 during the day and 78 during the night might screw things up.
michaelstern
Member
Two points. The temp does not vary day to night, only summer to winter. The piping down to my sump goes through my garage which is now cold. Second, if I go to 3 heaters, which I have, 2 will be in the sump where there is plenty of room. Any other problem going with 3.
A
alti
Guest
as long as its not an eyesore it should be fine to have 3. if you are going to buy another one anyway, you could get a bigger one and take the one out of the tank. i really hate powercords and equipment in the tank. u could use the extra one to heat the water u use for water changes.
where in ny do you live. i live right over the border in jersey.
where in ny do you live. i live right over the border in jersey.
michaelstern
Member
I live in lower Westchester
broomer5
Active Member
The only "potential" problem with using multiple heaters is setting them.
Each one may respond a little differently if they use "mechanical" switches.
Heaters have an "on" set point and an "off" set point.
Unfortunately we have little control where the heater shuts off. The difference between where the switch/heater turns on, then turns off is called deadband - and is normally a "fixed" value.
It's likely that this will not affect you at all - but it's something to consider when you set all three heaters.
One heater may respond as a primary heater - and the other's may be secondary. This all depends on how each heater "acts" in your system.
In other words - the heat from one will affect the others ~ sort of like having 3 furnaces in your house with 3 thermostats all in the same room. What one does will affect what the others do.
But I would imagine that if you tweek them enough - you won't have any trouble.
Using a solid state titanium heater that does not rely on a mechanical on/off reed switch - may be a nice addition.
ProHeat heaters by WON are very easy to set - and give you a digital readout of the temperature as well ( water temperature at the heater - not the tank temperature )
Each one may respond a little differently if they use "mechanical" switches.
Heaters have an "on" set point and an "off" set point.
Unfortunately we have little control where the heater shuts off. The difference between where the switch/heater turns on, then turns off is called deadband - and is normally a "fixed" value.
It's likely that this will not affect you at all - but it's something to consider when you set all three heaters.
One heater may respond as a primary heater - and the other's may be secondary. This all depends on how each heater "acts" in your system.
In other words - the heat from one will affect the others ~ sort of like having 3 furnaces in your house with 3 thermostats all in the same room. What one does will affect what the others do.
But I would imagine that if you tweek them enough - you won't have any trouble.
Using a solid state titanium heater that does not rely on a mechanical on/off reed switch - may be a nice addition.
ProHeat heaters by WON are very easy to set - and give you a digital readout of the temperature as well ( water temperature at the heater - not the tank temperature )
michaelstern
Member
New Rochelle
BTW Where do you shop for fish?
BTW Where do you shop for fish?
dburr
Active Member
I keep my temps at 79, but after reading a article in the reef annual, i'm thinking to lower it maybe to 76.It seems the coral reefs are average of about 82/83 but the fish move in and out of the reefs and prefer cooler temps of mid 70s during the day and mid to upper 60s at night.
We keep our tanks at 80+ only because of the diversity of corals found at the equater (spelling). Corals are not only found there. I think some (or most) will survive and thrive at cooler temps.
At 79 deg. my SPS corals are growing at a good rate. At 76 they may slow down a bit but I feel they will still thrive.
I will lower it only because I want to also think of my fish. The study was about keeping fish alive longer in your tank. In the wild they live longer and it is believed higher temps shorten the lives. They are more aggesive, eat more, ect... Lower temps slow them down.
HTH
We keep our tanks at 80+ only because of the diversity of corals found at the equater (spelling). Corals are not only found there. I think some (or most) will survive and thrive at cooler temps.
At 79 deg. my SPS corals are growing at a good rate. At 76 they may slow down a bit but I feel they will still thrive.
I will lower it only because I want to also think of my fish. The study was about keeping fish alive longer in your tank. In the wild they live longer and it is believed higher temps shorten the lives. They are more aggesive, eat more, ect... Lower temps slow them down.
HTH
zafirablanca
Member
^bump
