Tank trim and tank temperature

natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
I thought I would share this little bit info I just discovered on my tank. I redesigned my sump and skimmer system a few months ago and ever since my tank temps have been high. I attibuted it to the new mag 9.5 pump for my skimmer and just let it go since it had only increased from 78deg to 82deg during the day but would fall each night back to 78. Not critical but made me nervous that I was going to have trouble this summer and may need to invest in a chiller. The other day I was trying to figure out why I keep getting salt creep down the glass on both sides of my tank and I discovered that my water level was a little high in my DT and was touching the support ring around the top of my tank causing water to traverse through two small cracks in the support. The cracks have been there since I got the tank 3 years ago and have never grown and don't appear to effect the tank structurly. Well to make a long story a little shorter I adjusted the water level in my DT so that it was a 1/2" below the trim and my temp problem went away my tank is now holding a constant 79deg.

The black support was acting like a heater and heating the water whenever the MH lights were on now that there is space between the support and the water it doesn't heat the water.
 
gmann1139

gmann1139

Active Member
Don't forget, by lowering the water level, you also increased the gap, and more importantly the airflow, over your tank.
I hate seeing that ugly line across my tank at the top too, but I've found that the risks with going too high aren't worth the aesthetic reward.
 
natclanwy

natclanwy

Active Member
Happy to report the house was 82 deg today and my tank was stable at 80 deg used to climb well into the 80's if my house got above 74

Originally Posted by privatejoker
http:///forum/post/2666449
The support probably acted like a magnifing glass and increased your light in that one spot.
Support is black so no light penetration but absorbs heat from the lights and transfers it to the water when they touch.
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2666455
Don't forget, by lowering the water level, you also increased the gap, and more importantly the airflow, over your tank.
I hate seeing that ugly line across my tank at the top too, but I've found that the risks with going too high aren't worth the aesthetic reward.
Water level is still above the trim just not touching the center support and the rim around the inside of the tank.
 
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