Temperature fluctuating

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tcarswell

Polypterus
MFK Member
Dec 6, 2008
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I am in the process of putting a new AC/heat pack on my roof and am without AC until I can get a crane here to put the thing on the roof. The problem is the temperature in all my tanks reaches 86 during the day and goes to about 80 at night. How detrimental is this to the fish? I already made metal screen tops for all the tanks and have fans blowing across the surface for good cooling / evaporation but the temperature swing of up to 8 degrees in 18 hours worries me.


Should I be worried? I added tons of air to all the tanks and the lights are off obviously because of the screen tops. Any info is appreciated.
 
I have used frozen 1/2 gal milk jugs full of water to take the temp off the high end...only problem is when it cools off at night, you gotta be sure to get the jug out.

86 is high but I have heated and salted my tanks for medicinal reasons to 86-88 with no problems...

I think with the frozen jug you can narrow your temp swing down...

Another way is to use some insulation against the heat on the top sides and back. Fans only circulate the ambient temp and probably expose more water to the higher temp...I'd cover up the water and keep it from being exposed to the heat...

that's why I like acrylic so much, I have had 20 degree room temp change by leaving my sliding glass door open at night and the tank temp drops maybe 1-1.5 degrees and the 2 x 250 watt heaters on that controller can bring it right back up in a matter of minutes...I bet with a 10-20 degree temp difference between set tank temp and Ambient temp, my heaters maybe run an hour a day total and water temp never goes 2 degrees lower than the set temp. More like 1-1.2 degrees
 
Damn, I read that the screen tops and ambient air was very helpful oh well.
 
zennzzo;3148519; said:
INSULATION!!...the best guard against heat or cold...;)
but you already know that...:D
open tops would be ok if the Ambient was not the heat source...
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lol I wish I could just put a chiller on it but the reality is I am moving back to monterey in a year or so where I will never need it :) I bought a generator though universal product that will save my ass if power goes out :headbang2
 
tcarswell;3148631; said:
lol I wish I could just put a chiller on it but the reality is I am moving back to monterey in a year or so where I will never need it :) I bought a generator though universal product that will save my ass if power goes out :headbang2
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Oh Yeah
can't complain about portable power...Keep it nearby and make sure the G/F can start it and use it...you'll be busy somewhere else when it happens...Murphy's Law always got my ass that way...:screwy:
 
is it possibly you could get a portable AC unit? they sell them at the big box hardware stores. not sure if this is practical since i dunno how many tanks you have in how many rooms.
 
jschall;3148821; said:
Open top, point a fan at the water surface. Should cool it to like 5-10F below ambient.
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Thats what ive been doing it cools it about 5 degrees. Although I highly respect Ben I think its my only way to go. I got the idea from my freshwater problem solver book it said to do so..... I realize not everything in books is great information but dealing with refrigerant and heat all day I kind of lean towards the fan across the surface. No offense ben ! Youdaman :):)
 
swede;3149170; said:
is it possibly you could get a portable AC unit? they sell them at the big box hardware stores. not sure if this is practical since i dunno how many tanks you have in how many rooms.
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Would not work unfortunately too many tanks and the power bill would be absurd I know from experience where people used them in their homes waiting for our AC install. Thanks for the suggestion though.


Zenzzo "Oh Yeah
can't complain about portable power...Keep it nearby and make sure the G/F can start it and use it...you'll be busy somewhere else when it happens...Murphy's Law always got my ass that way...:screwy:"

She will be well trained on how to use it. I got 4 nice big heavy duty 100 foot extension cords in anticipation. Now I just need the generator to show up EVERYONE! should consider one of these they are cheap reassurance your canisters etc dont die off (the beneficial bacteria included) ALso keeps the fish alive and they are around or under 500 dollars (not that its that cheap these days)
http://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/Honeywell-HW1000i/p2568.html
 
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