Small temp swings or set heater higher?
 

Been getting up to 25 degrees in my livingroom and today the tank (which had been going no higher than 80) is sitting at 82.

I'm hoping it won't get any warmer than 82 but here's my question:

What's better for the tank inhabitants:

- let the tank swing between 80 and 82?
- set the temp to 82 so there is no swings (ideally)

Please share your thoughts thx.

A 2 deg swing is not bad. It swings much more than that in the real ocean. My tank swings up to 4-5 deg in summer. 78-83. In winter, its 2 deg swing

IMO i don't think 2 deg. makes a difference. I would think anything more than 90deg. then you would have problems. Probably makes the inhabitants more frisky.

Brett you know the answer that you are looking for. If you are thinking of a small chiller. Then go for it I prefer to have stability in the tank then anything and temp is one of the bigger ones

A chiller isn't within my budget right now but I do have my heater on a dual-stage Ranco controller. I am thinking of buying either the 2-fan or 4-fan clip on Azoo fan unit and having it kick on when temp reaches 80. I've heard evaporation can drop the temp a lot and with my osmolator I don't mind really.

You're right though I really am aiming for stability.

Stability is always the best practice, if you can't keep it stable without a chiller and can't afford the chiller purchase at this time, then I don't think 82 is that bad. I would set it higher, and once you can get a chiller, then you can regulate to 80

My concern will be that summer hasn't hit yet, so what will your temperatures be during the heat?

I think I can achieve the stability using the fans actually. I'll try that before I turn my heater up to 82 I think.

I have a portable AC unit in my livingroom so I don't think the room will get any warmer. It hit 25 without me running the unit. I can certainly maintain 25 or 24 through any heat this summer. The only thing keeping me from running the AC more and colder is my wife complaining of being cold =)

I you can great!!! Just be prepaired for more evaporation, and maybe your room will get a little muggy.

With an open top right now I think I likely evap about 1/2 a gallon per day. Wonder how much that will increase with fans? I'd at least test with a reg fan before buying these azoos but I don;t think the only fan we have (floor standing 16" would give a fair idea lol.

You probably don't need that much, maybe a small clip on. JL sells them for cheap.