Temperature variances help

Hello. I have a 90 gallon corner tank with a 76-82 F swing during the day use of 8 hours of lighting. I have a chiller that will keep constant if needed. Trying to cut costs. Can I go without the chiller until it reaches 82?

I have even numbers of fish and coral.

 

That is way too much of a temp swing. It is best to keep it within 1 deg. If you have a chiller then run it, you are just adding stress to the livestock with the temp swing.

 

Thanks. Do you have a recommended temp?. Running 78 now.

 

Evaporational cooling works wonders! Set up a room fan to blow across the top of your tank. This will reduce water temp and maintain it fairly constant and alot less expensive to run.

 

I have a small fan that I place above the sump. That seems to help but only a degree or two. My tank is in my living room for all to see. A fan would be unsightly. BTW I just bought the chiller. It is a Pacific Coast Import CW0500. I know its over kill size wise, but tired of loosing stuff and or algae blooms.

 

know offense but I don't think a chiller is going to do anything for algae blooms.( I could be wrong).

 

How big is your sump and your main tank?
I employ a room fan to my 125 gallon aquarium and does a good job. I have both soft and stony corals in my tank and with little problems.
Just the fact that a fan used on top of a sump as oppossed to on top of your main tank changes the amount of surface area being cooled. I know that chillers are effective, just the expense to run is kind of pricy! Just trying to save ya a few dollars in today's economy.

 

hello and welcome to 3 reef. it could just be me but, it sounds like you havent done much home work. to make your tank and, your creatures the best it can be. takes time and, alot of reading. i cant stress that enough. one place might help you is corals101.com and, ther is 1000's of other sites as well. they would help you with a recommended temp. for you and your tank to be the best read read and read.

 

I understand that the heat creates more of an environment for algae blooms. I may be wrong as well. I will look into it.

 

I am a 10+ year amateur aquarist. I have read, and I have researched. Everything has been generalized via paperback and internet. This forum allows me to address my particular needs. I am a looking for help by willing folks, not lectures. Please move on to another thread.