Garage storage...too cold?

[gnashty]

I keep all of my BRS dosing supplies, my test kits, refractomoter, pumps, totes, make up water etc... all in my garage. This is my first winter storing it this way and Im concerned it gets too cold out there - it doesnt freeze in there but can get into the high 30's at night.

any concerns here? Im more concerned about the test kits

 

[jef4y]

Id bring the test kits inside, but have nothing factual to base that on. Everything else, I wouldn't worry about.

 

[mojo]

JeF4y;589914 wrote: Id bring the test kits inside, but have nothing factual to base that on. Everything else, I wouldn't worry about.

I agree. :up:

 

[budsreef]

I don't know how much it will affect the reading, but some refractometers come with temperature correction so there must be a temperature component. I'd keep it inside as well.

 

[ralph atl]

Budsreef;589927 wrote: I don't know how much it will affect the reading, but some refractometers come with temperature correction so there must be a temperature component. I'd keep it inside as well.

:up:

 

[freezerrat]

I have my water in the garage. Salt water has a heater. Even so, it's struggling these days. The RO water is not heated but I bring a small container into the house to let it get to room temp before topping off. Other than water, I would bring into the house anything liquid just to be safe.

 

[gnashty]

I will bring the test kits and refractometer inside...

Im struggling to keep my water up to temp too. I have about 5 heaters of all sizes in my brute and with all of them on and a Rio 2100 and a K4 I cant keep the water above 76-77.

 

[freezerrat]

Keep the least water mixed up as you can get away with. Even if you have to mix more often. Right now I'm only keeping 5 gallons mixed, max. I'm only running a nano so I don't need a lot. But the less water the heater has to keep warm the better it will do.

 

[gnashty]

freezerrat;589965 wrote: Keep the least water mixed up as you can get away with. Even if you have to mix more often. Right now I'm only keeping 5 gallons mixed, max. I'm only running a nano so I don't need a lot. But the less water the heater has to keep warm the better it will do.

I always keep 40 gal mixed, wether I need it or not - but thats only an 18% WC - If I need more than Im in a tight spot...

 

[freezerrat]

gnashty;589963 wrote: I cant keep the water above 76-77.

Think about it this way........... as an example, if your system is 100 gallons and kept at 78, you change 10% with water at 76. A 10% water change will only drop the system temp by .2 degrees. If you add it back to the sump it will also mix with the tank water before going to the display. By the time it gets to any inhabitants there won't be a difference that will mater. But if you're worried about that you could always put it in the sump with the return off and let the heater do its thing, then turn it back on.

 

[freezerrat]

Try getting a bat of fiberglass insulation to wrap around the brute. Won't be pretty, but probably will work good.

 

[gnashty]

freezerrat;589969 wrote: Think about it this way........... as an example, if your system is 100 gallons and kept at 78, you change 10% with water at 76. A 10% water change will only drop the system temp by .2 degrees. If you add it back to the sump it will also mix with the tank water before going to the display. By the time it gets to any inhabitants there won't be a difference that will mater. But if you're worried about that you could always put it in the sump with the return off and let the heater do its thing, then turn it back on.

Yeah, I did a WC with it the other day and it only drops it by .5 degree or so, if that.

I have noticed my tank stays at 78 this time of year, normally my tank goes up to 80...sometimes 81 with the light cycle but not now -steady 78 since my house stays about 66-68 this time of year