Regulating tempature

[combativeapologies]

How do you guys regulate your tanks temp. I can't seem to keep a constant temperature. Everytime the weather changes outside my tank either drops or increases by a few degrees. Any specific heaters that have a better than average internal thermostat you would recommend.

 

[weaglereefer]

Controller monitoring a chiller that has a heater plug in it. Chiller has internal thermostat that kicks the chiller on at 80, off at 78, and heater on at 77. Controller will e-mail me if temp hits 76 or 81 and I can go check the status (or send someone to check) and see if the heater or chiller is stuck on.

And via monitoring, the temp stays between 77.8 and 80.2. That's good enough for me.

 

[liverock27]

weaglereefer;612220 wrote: Controller monitoring a chiller that has a heater plug in it. Chiller has internal thermostat that kicks the chiller on at 80, off at 78, and heater on at 77. Controller will e-mail me if temp hits 76 or 81 and I can go check the status (or send someone to check) and see if the heater or chiller is stuck on.

And via monitoring, the temp stays between 77.8 and 80.2. That's good enough for me.

Which controller are you using?

 

[combativeapologies]

ARGH!!! More **** to buy...... :angryfire:

 

[gnashty]

I would start by trying to keep the temperature in the room the tank is in as constant as possible. if heat is the issue try adding a fan on the sump or canopy. In the summer I put a regular ole fan in the cabinet and let it rip, you would be surprised what a difference it can make.

If it gets too cold take a look at the heater you are using. I would never use a heater that you must rely on its own internal thermostat...

 

[weaglereefer]

LiveRock27;612224 wrote: Which controller are you using?

Reefkeeper Lite.

 

[combativeapologies]

Maybe it's the heaters I am using... Any recommendations on brands?

 

[weaglereefer]

They will ALL fail at some point. The safest way is to run them on some kind of controller and then set the heater's thermostat just outside the range of the controller. That way if the controller's thermostat fails, the heater's thermostat will keep the tank from cooking.

My heater is just an element, it has no internal thermostat. It plugs into the back of the chiller and is controlled by the chiller's thermostat.

 

[liverock27]

weaglereefer;612269 wrote: They will ALL fail at some point. The safest way is to run them on some kind of controller and then set the heater's thermostat just outside the range of the controller. That way if the controller's thermostat fails, the heater's thermostat will keep the tank from cooking.

My heater is just an element, it has no internal thermostat. It plugs into the back of the chiller and is controlled by the chiller's thermostat.

Do you mean if you want to keep the tank between 78.5 and 79 you should set the heater to 80 or 81?

 

[weaglereefer]

LiveRock27;612279 wrote: Do you mean if you want to keep the tank between 78.5 and 79 you should set the heater to 80 or 81?

If it's on a controller, then yes.