Small temp swings or set heater higher?

Funky_Fish14 · #1 05-02-2010, 09:48 AM

What Global designs said is a great idea.

Brett, all good points have been mentioned already but just thought I might add; if you set you heater to 82 all the time (assuming it would eliminate the temp swing under 'ideal conditions') then you are promoting long term high temperatures. We all know this is not exactly good for 'reefs' (natural or aquarium). I think the minute swing in temperature is not much to worry about and would think it safer to simply stick to a lower temperature setting of 80 (or less).

Just a thought!

Cheers, and hope all is well.

Chris

kien · #2 05-02-2010, 11:42 AM

I use a 4 fan unit that blows across my water surface when my temp hits 80. My temp goes from 77 (at night) to 80 during the day with the halides on. Works well, have never even considered a chiller.

lastlight · #3 05-02-2010, 03:33 PM

Yeah it's funny because when it started getting hot here I looked all over on the thermostat for a fan switch. I did that when I had a house all the time to freshen things up. I can't see anything on there to do that but maybe I'm an idiot. I can only get the furnace to blow when it's heating?

I'm going to get fans today for a start but I'm still thinking thicker drapes in the kitchen would help out a lot. If someone with small fans can suggest either a 2 fan or 4 fan unit for a 34g I'd appreciate it.

no_bs · #4 05-02-2010, 04:51 PM

Wish i could give some more insight, but my tank doesn't move off of 79. Fans are the way to go i guess if a chiller isn't in the bufget. Good luck with the summer.

Funky_Fish14 · #5 05-02-2010, 08:26 PM

Brett - If there is no switch on your thermostat, check around the actual furnace unit itself. It may or may not be labelled, but usually there should be a switch for the fan by the furnace unit.
HTH.

Chris

andestang · #6 05-02-2010, 09:00 PM

Yes your furnace or thermostat should hace something that says "summer or fan only" . I've always installed one of those digital furnace control thermostats.They have the fan only feature control. Lots to choose from now and not to pricey (probably because of all the push for eco friendly and power saving).

lastlight · #7 05-02-2010, 11:00 PM

I have good news...all good news =)

Today was not cheap but cheaper than a chiller and my whole house is cooler.

For starters I went to Rona and bought some of this energy saver window film for my kitchen and patio windows on the back of the house. You're supposed to follow their directions and use some special spray, their squeegee blah blah blah. I tossed it up and cursed the whole time and tried my best to squeeze bubbles out. It is pretty ugly but my blinds and drapes hide the marble-like texture my windows now have haha.

So I wasn't able to get it up before the sun hit and still my living room has got no hotter than 23 today. Now when i *do* turn my livingroom AC on for just a bit the hot kitchen does not counter-act the cooling effect either. I dropped it to 22.5 in a few minutes before wife said **** off.

I also installed the 4-fan Azoo unit.

The nylon screws interfered with my skimmer cup and I was pretty ****ed it wouldn't fit. Then I realized the adjustable mounts and symetrical on both sides so I swapped them so the screws are outside the tank not inside. Fits great.

So the bottom line is I am a rock-star now and I've set my controller to 79 and it is staying there no problem. The fan has kicked on twice today and each time it does it's on maybe 2 or 3 minutes. I'm hoping with the window film up I can battle the even hotter days.

Yeehaw.