How to maintain temp

[bearbait]

Ok im moving about 3 or 4 degrees from day to night.. how do I get this to stay at a constant 80? I have a chiller but haven't hooked it up because of winter.. and I don't want the heater and chiller to be in constant battle with each other .. I have the 300wt heater in a 10 gal sump the tank is 75 gal.. any advice here? should I put another heater in the sump? it looks like its going from 80 during the day to about 76 or 77 at night.. I should buy a digital thermometer but when I look at them in the stores they all read different anyway. Any Advise?

[Jollymon]

I would try a digital temp controller to control both the chiller and heater. This way, your temp differential will be much tighter.

[BigE]

Personally I wouldn't worry about this. I've seen graphs of studies done along natural reefs and the water temp can swing quite a bit from day to night. I wanna say more than 5 or 6 degrees but its been a while since I've seen the graph. As long as the temp is fluctuating slowly (few hours) it shouldn't be a problem.

If I had too I would go for the additional heater. I use the Won Pro heaters from http://www.premiumaquatics.com
I have the biggest one... I think 300 watts and it always keeps the temp nice and even. Its really easy to set the temp also.

[Jollymon]

Really, I agree with BigE. That swing isn't too much. But since you have a chiller, invest in a temperature controller to do both. There are many options available in controllers. I am a temperature control contractor. Guess what my temperature control is? Nothing but a heater! :lol:

[HoopsGuru]

I third the info above! In addition to what has been mentioned, why is your temperature swinging so much....as in what lighting are you using etc. If you want a constant of 80, first....set your heater for 80 and then determine how much higher it goes with your light on during the day. For example, my 30g tank I initially did the same thing....I kept the temp low because it got up to 82 every day and I was also afraid of the swing. I turned the temp up to 82 and except in the hot summer, it doesn't go beyond that...the light can only push it to 82!

[bearbait]

rite now im only running a reg 100wt house bulb im in the set up phase..lol waiting on xmas for my MH.. its just the temp change from day and night thats doing it . seems just on 300wt heater wont keep up with it should add another .

[justletmein]

I put a small fan on the timer with my lights and set the heater on 82. This keeps the temp very solid.

[david]

I have 1 250W EboJager Heater set to 78 in my sump, and i've never seen my tank below 77 at night.

with 688 wts of lighting, 1,700 gal hr water flow, uv, skimmer , and 3 fans i'm between 81 and 83 in the day

this is on a 110 gal tank

[phistio]

ther could be a ton of factors as to the fluctuation...

what type of climate do you live in? do you keep your house climate controlled, or leave mother nature to do most of the work? where is the placement of the tank? near any windows? is it in the central portion of the house or is the tank against an exterior wall that faces the south? if so, that wall is a heat cunductor...

i would suggest to turn, and leave on any nearby ceiling fan on...a ceiling fan left on all the time can lower the temperature some ten degrees, believe it or not...

also, i would heat both the sump, and the tank...some temperature loss can be accounted for in circulation...

good luck!

[HoopsGuru]

I would rather raise the temp to 80 during the night than lower the day temp to the upper 70's. Try simply turning up or adding another 300w heater.

[Bob Ashcraft]

seems just on 300wt heater wont keep up with it should add another .

What kind of heater is it?

My 200 watt ebo jager keeps my 75 at 83 constantly. I think you have a problem with the heater.