Input please

[ilovesam08]

Ok I am finally in the process of setting up another tank.. But I have come across a few problems. I would really appericaite any input.

1. My temp is set at 78. But during the day when the lights are on, the temp goes to 81. I know I can buy a chiller, but those seem to cost a lot of money, so is there any thing I can do in the mean time until I am able to buy one?

2. I have a wave maker that came with the tank, and also a Nano Koralia Aquarium Circulation Pump - 3.5W - 240 gph But there doesnt seem to be enough water movement in the tank, Do yall think I need to purchuse another one? Or is there something else I need to buy or do?

3. Also I have been hearing a lot about a ATO. Which one would I need to purchuse? ( I have a 28 gallon nano cube.) And also does where can I get one at a decent price?

Once again thanks for the help. I hope everyone has a Great New Year:yay:

 

[jetchris]

I wouldnt worry about the temp unless it gets over 85, you could aim a small fan on the back open comparments and that should bring down the temp a couple degrees. Also for a 28 gallon tank you do not need an ATO. You should buy one of those nano koralias for extra flow.

 

[ilovesam08]

I was told that I would need one... SO that the salt levels stayed stablilzed. But thank you I will Def. buy another powerhead.

 

[darren24]

My temp in the winter goes from 78-81 and in the summer it goes from 79-82.5 with no issues what so ever. It has gone as high as 83.5. Gradual swings will not hurt anything.

 

[johnr2604]

The 81 deg temp is fine. I would just try a few things to minimize your swing. You could blow a fan over the water surface when the lights are on. You could bump your heater a little to try to keep the temps higher at night Etc. A three degree temp swing isn't that bad though.

As far as the ATO goes try autotopoff.com.

 

[ilovesam08]

Thank you all. I really appericate everyone's input.

 

[jetchris]

you are only gonna lose about a 1/2 gallon of water every week. In a case such as that IMO your better off going with the "keep it simple" method and just topoff by hand once a week. And when you do a water change every 2 weeks it takes care of topping off. So really you will only have to topoff every 2 weeks. Save your money and space. ATO's are ideal for tanks 60 gallons or more. I had a 110 and lost about 3 gallons a week in evaporation.

 

[jetchris]

Also FYI for a 28g tank, if your doing water changes every 2 weeks and have a light bioload, you dont need a skimmer. I am pretty sure the 28g nano cube comes with one in which case you should use it, but i personally would not upgrade that skimmer unless you have $$ burning holes in your pockets

 

[weaglereefer]

JetChris;439735 wrote: you are only gonna lose about a 1/2 gallon of water every week. In a case such as that IMO your better off going with the "keep it simple" method and just topoff by hand once a week. And when you do a water change every 2 weeks it takes care of topping off. So really you will only have to topoff every 2 weeks. Save your money and space. ATO's are ideal for tanks 60 gallons or more. I had a 110 and lost about 3 gallons a week in evaporation.

I need to figure out what you're doing...I evaporate almost 2gpd in my 90, and 1/2gpd in my 24. Both of them have ATO's and I couldn't imagine running either tank without one.

 

[brianjfinn]

JetChris;439735 wrote: you are only gonna lose about a 1/2 gallon of water every week. In a case such as that IMO your better off going with the "keep it simple" method and just topoff by hand once a week. And when you do a water change every 2 weeks it takes care of topping off. So really you will only have to topoff every 2 weeks. Save your money and space. ATO's are ideal for tanks 60 gallons or more. I had a 110 and lost about 3 gallons a week in evaporation.

Yeah, I'm running a 20L and I lose about .5gal per day. Size of the tank doesn't matter, it's the lighting on it. If you're running compact fluorescent lights, you might not need an ATO. I'm running two 70w MHs and couldn't live without one. I have enough trouble trying to keep the 5gal bucket full.

Your best bet is probably to set the tank up and see after a week or two if you would benefit from one.

 

[weaglereefer]

brianjfinn;439757 wrote: Yeah, I'm running a 20L and I lose about .5gal per day. Size of the tank doesn't matter, it's the lighting on it. If you're running compact fluorescent lights, you might not need an ATO. I'm running two 70w MHs and couldn't live without one. I have enough trouble trying to keep the 5gal bucket full.

Your best bet is probably to set the tank up and see after a week or two if you would benefit from one.

I picked up 2 18 gallon WRAPPING PAPER storage containers from Target for $5 each. They're tall and skinny, not like Rubbermaid tubs and flex surprisingly little for as much water as they hold. My RO/DI for my 90 tops itself off once a week via float switch and solenoid, and I do the one for my 24 manually (kitchen timer and put a movie on, when the movie's over, I check the water).

 

[ilovesam08]

Yes it came with a little cheap skimmer, but it seems to be doing the trick. I have MH on them. I guess I will wait a week to see how much water I loose.... then decide.

So my temp is fine going from 78-81?

 

[corigan]

I would put a fan on it, but that much of a swing is not really a big deal and quite common in many peoples tanks.

I make up 10g a week R/O for top-off on my 70g. I wish my evap rate was as low as jetchris'.