Water Temp. Help

[medic1175]

I have a 46gal, FOWLR, eventually to be a reef tank. I added a sump and in sump skimmer last week. My problem is my tanks water temp is approx. 83f. This is with the return pump and the skimmer pump in sump. My heater is set at 75f. My first question is: Would these 2 pumps in the water cause the temp to be 8 degrees over what the heater is set for? My second question is what can I do to lower the temp a few degrees, running pumps externally isn't an option and I cant really afford or have room to place a chiller inline. My concern is I'm having problems before I even upgrade my lighting.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Cjtabares]

Get a small fan or to an have them blow over the surfect of the water. I was having some heat issues during the summer I put a fan on my sump and the temp has been pretty good.

 

[snowmaker]

Would these 2 pumps in the water cause the temp to be 8 degrees over what the heater is set for?

They sure can, although 8 degrees sounds a bit on the high side. External pumps will transfer heat as well.

what can I do to lower the temp a few degrees

+1 on a fan - maybe blowing across surface water of sump or the display. It'll increase evaporation some. Some will make a cover to fit over part of sump and mount a muffin fan in it blowing down to water.

 

[stingythingy45]

Just keep in mind,sometimes just because a heater is set on a certain number doesn't mean it will maintain that temp.I know that one of my Visi-therm heaters can be set for 82 deg. and maintain 78 degrees.So I would reach in the water and grab the heater,see if it's still working even though the temp. is correct.Also,you could lower that heater some and see it that does the trick.

 

[frank180reef]

hi Matt
Did you have lights on when the temp went up. Also most of these heaters arent exact. A 75 degree setting might actually be 78.............

Frank

 

[emabie]

Be sure to check your heater. IME they can get stuck on and if you have it set for "75" according to temp scale on the heater it may actually be set higher. They are not very accurate.

If the heater is working then it's going to be the pumps generating the heat. The fan suggestion does work well, better than you may think. Just keep in mind you will have more water evaporation and will have to watch your sump water level.

 

[maxxattk]

i have hydor heaters that I set at 72 and my temp is consistently 80. Those lil numbers on the dial mean very very little.

 

[medic1175]

Ok thank you everyone for the advice. The high reading was while the lights were off. I will try the fan, today its actually down to 80.6. i think the weather being cooler today obv. helped. Another question, what does the water evap on the sump do for stand integrity? Does the moisture cause a problem down the road? Thanks again everyone.

 

[Behrmon]

I agree that am 8 degree jump sounds a bit high for two pumps. How much condensation are you getting?

 

[medic1175]

Not a lot, im beginning to think that it is the heater, and the pumps combined. I will just have to keep an eye on it. I will add the fan and see what happens.

 

[jojo1n2]

twhat can I do to lower the temp a few degrees,

Thanks,
Matt

you can fill a 2 liter bottle and freeze it and place it in your tank. that will drop the temp a couple degrees pretty quick. Let it float around until the ice is melted then take it out and re-freeze

 

[JohnK]

What kind of pumps are they? Some run a lot hotter than others.

Also yet another second to questioning the accuracy of the heaters. Add to that sometimes a heaters thermostat will fail "on" so that the heater just keeps heating no matter how it's set. Maybe try unplugging one for a day, then switch to the other for the next day and see if the temp drops with either disconnected.

Did you mention what kind of lights you have?

On the question of evpaoration/humidity affecting the stand - What type of construction is the stand? I've had a particle board stand begin to fall apart after several yrs, but it also got flooded more than once. If it's real wood, I wouldn't be very concerned.