temp sing

steve f · 01-04-2007, 04:58 PM

I'm just starting to cycle my reef tank and, was wondering 1.5F is to much for an increase in temp? Morring 79.1F peeks at 80.6F afther all the MH's lights are on and the fan running. It takes about 2 hours to go up.

Radom · 01-04-2007, 10:34 PM

1.5 def F is not a significant jump and you should have no issues.

jd@ga · 01-05-2007, 01:02 AM

radom is right that`s not bad.

xeruf · 01-05-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve f

I'm just starting to cycle my reef tank and, was wondering 1.5F is to much for an increase in temp? Morring 79.1F peeks at 80.6F afther all the MH's lights are on and the fan running. It takes about 2 hours to go up.

ya my MH lights raise the temp during the day like that too, the fish dont seem to mind

steve f · 01-05-2007, 10:15 AM

My PH sings to with the temp. change is that normal or will it correct it self over time. the PH change from 8.25 to 8.40 with the temp change. the tank a little over two weeks old, and just starting the nitrite part of the cycle.

Loman · 01-05-2007, 11:56 AM

Steve,

Let me add a belated welcome to the forum. As I understand it the pH swing during the day is not unusual. I think it is less related to the temp swing than the light which I think creates both swings. The process of photosynthesis contributes in some manner but I can not recall the details. While it is expected to swing some it is not necessarily a good thing. I have read that some people use a refugium with strong lighting opposite when the tank is lit to try and normalize the pH level throughout the day. In that way the tank is high pH while the refugium is low pH and then the tank is low pH while the refugium is high so it all averages out. Hopefully that makes sense to ya. If not run a search on " refugium pH"

steve f · 01-05-2007, 04:18 PM

thank you for all your help. I will start the lights in the re***ium, opposite of the lights in the show tank. Where is the best way to posision the cooling fan for the lights. I have two pentent 250w HQI lights with the fan blowing in between the lights. Any ideas. Thanks

Tommy Gun · 01-05-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve f

My PH sings to with the temp. change is that normal or will it correct it self over time. the PH change from 8.25 to 8.40 with the temp change. the tank a little over two weeks old, and just starting the nitrite part of the cycle.

I think that it is pretty common for a small Ph swing to occur over night due to the amount of photosythesis that occurs in a tank. Just like in a planted freshwater tank. Keep in mind that the algea on your live rock is utilizing photosythesis and I believe at night time, the algea will release O2 into the water. It is not a substantial increase or swing in my mind so I would not worry too much about it in reality.

The same can be said about the temperature swing. My tank varies from about 78 degrees in the morning to 82 degrees just before my lights turn off for the night. My system has been to utilize timers which keep all four bulbs on during the day for about 8 hours, but the blue actynic lights are on for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours at night by themselves. This limits the amount of light the tank gets for algea and water temp issues, but I can still view the tank with only the blue lights on for 12 hours. It is probrably not the best option, but it keeps me from having to get a chiller for the tank. I am also in Wisconsin, so at night it gets cold, and I am pretty worried about how the temp will increase in the summer time. I do not use a heater at all, except to keep one set at 75 degrees to ensure that the water does not dip lower than that. I dont think it have ever been on at all yet, except during water changes when my pumps are all off.

Tommy Gun · 01-05-2007, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve f

thank you for all your help. I will start the lights in the re***ium, opposite of the lights in the show tank. Where is the best way to posision the cooling fan for the lights. I have two pentent 250w HQI lights with the fan blowing in between the lights. Any ideas. Thanks

I think that would be some what of a trial and error period for you as far as positioning the cooling fans. I know that in my tank, with a canopy on and being situated in a corner, the best option for me is to blow the fans to each side. I also open or close the glass covers on the tank depending on if I want things to cool down or heat up. (Closed traps heat...Open releases heat) The only issue is that if I keep the tops open too long, the water evaporates very quickly.

I would also like to welcome you to the forum. This is a great source of information and what is even better is that you can ask specific questions pertaining to your unique situation. Feel free to ask away!

steve f · 01-06-2007, 03:37 PM

How high should the lights be from the water. Mine are a little better then 9" , should they be more or less. My tank is 120G, 25" tall, I dont know if that makes a differance. The lights are 250w HQI DE 13000K.