Temp Swings vs Stability?

[atomic081]

Hi Folks, I wanna talk temperature for a second.

Im curious to what others opinion are on whats best for our reef tanks. I run 5 400w metal halides over my 800g and because of this I have a temperature swing of about 3 deg each day. Somewhere between 78-81 is the usual range. While I don't wanna go any higher on the high end. Do I want to kick up my heaters on the low end so that i can try to stay as stable as possible, maybe keeping it at 80-81? I already am running a high electric bill and why would a pay to heat the tank when its not necessary.

I know with Leds most people will have smaller swings, but do we really want a temp swing at all. Natural see water will definitely see a swing of 2 or 3 degrees daily and much more on a weekly/seasonal change. What are other opinions?

 

[ihavecrabs]

I vote neither. My tank swings a total of 5 degrees, but it is over the course of a "season". I use the Apex built in temp control that aligns with a region of the world. In the summer, my tank is 5F higher than in winter. But within any given day, my swing is less than 0.5F.

 

[92Miata]

I know with Leds most people will have smaller swings, but do we really want a temp swing at all. Natural see water will definitely see a swing of 2 or 3 degrees daily and much more on a weekly/seasonal change. What are other opinions?

Its a tough question to answer - deep water stuff probably sees almost no temp changes - whereas reef crest stuff can see 10 degree swings over the course of a change of tides - and can spend time out of water sitting in the sun.

 

[Birddog61]

Hi Folks, I wanna talk temperature for a second.

Im curious to what others opinion are on whats best for our reef tanks. I run 5 400w metal halides over my 800g and because of this I have a temperature swing of about 3 deg each day. Somewhere between 78-81 is the usual range. While I don't wanna go any higher on the high end. Do I want to kick up my heaters on the low end so that i can try to stay as stable as possible, maybe keeping it at 80-81? I already am running a high electric bill and why would a pay to heat the tank when its not necessary.

I know with Leds most people will have smaller swings, but do we really want a temp swing at all. Natural see water will definitely see a swing of 2 or 3 degrees daily and much more on a weekly/seasonal change. What are other opinions?

Imo. The energy from your mh. Will raise your temp 3 degrees above your new set point for your heater. Your mh will add the same btu s regardless of your starting point. . Chilling during the day is the way to chase that number
Ps back in the day we had great tanks with mh regardless of there heat

 

[atomic081]

I vote neither. My tank swings a total of 5 degrees, but it is over the course of a "season". I use the Apex built in temp control that aligns with a region of the world. In the summer, my tank is 5F higher than in winter. But within any given day, my swing is less than 0.5F.

In my opinion then you have stability. The fact you manually change it with the season is interesting but a personal choice. Do you see any difference in growth in the different seasons? I don't think i would want to change it personally as i think keeping things stable on a day to day basis will only help....to each there own!!! very interesting!

 

[atomic081]

Imo. The energy from your mh. Will raise your temp 3 degrees above your new set point for your heater. Your mh will add the same btu s regardless of your starting point. . Chilling during the day is the way to chase that number
Ps back in the day we had great tanks with mh regardless of there heat

Never thought about it that way. I think you might be right!!!!

 

[bam123]

Hi Folks, I wanna talk temperature for a second.

Im curious to what others opinion are on whats best for our reef tanks. I run 5 400w metal halides over my 800g and because of this I have a temperature swing of about 3 deg each day. Somewhere between 78-81 is the usual range. While I don't wanna go any higher on the high end. Do I want to kick up my heaters on the low end so that i can try to stay as stable as possible, maybe keeping it at 80-81? I already am running a high electric bill and why would a pay to heat the tank when its not necessary.

I know with Leds most people will have smaller swings, but do we really want a temp swing at all. Natural see water will definitely see a swing of 2 or 3 degrees daily and much more on a weekly/seasonal change. What are other opinions?

I would only have the heater come on at 77.3 and get some over head fan action to stay ahead of the curve when temps hit 80. Love the look of halides, but don't miss the heat or electric bill. If everything looks good, ignore everyone's advice and let your corals do their thing

 

[atomic081]

I would only have the heater come on at 77.3 and get some over head fan action to stay ahead of the curve when temps hit 80. Love the look of halides, but don't miss the heat or electric bill. If everything looks good, ignore everyone's advice and let your corals do their thing

I personally am not going to change. I believe that a 3 deg temp swing is acceptable. Im just curious to others opinions and what they shoot for. I see alot of threads on whats a acceptable temp, but rarely see one on how much of a swing is acceptable.

 

[ihavecrabs]

In my opinion then you have stability. The fact you manually change it with the season is interesting but a personal choice. Do you see any difference in growth in the different seasons? I don't think i would want to change it personally as i think keeping things stable on a day to day basis will only help....to each there own!!! very interesting!

Your assessment is likely right that I fall into "stability" with one key difference. My corals experience change in temp over time where a system that is always 0.5F within the same range doesn't. I'm guessing, but I would think that corals experiencing a wider range will be better at coping with a drop or rise in temp due to an "event" such as a power outage for example.

Anecdotal at best :)

My moon also follows the real moon! Just for fun for now, but my SPS colonies are getting to the size that they may start producing eggs (I've seen it while fragging which is crazy) and the combination between moon and temp could trigger this.

 

[sreefs]

A swing of 3 degrees is not bad in my opinion!

 

[Uncle99]

I seek the least flux in all parameters.
So out the door was my trusty Eiheim Jager (3 degree variance)
In came my Fluval E-Series Digital....same price.....(but .5 degree variance)
Is it better?
Sounds right but I don’t know.