Protein Skimmer Raise Temp.

My tank temperature has raised to 80 degrees from 76 degrees that it has normally been at. It happened overnight and I installed the Skimmer in yesterday so I'm assuming that is the cause. Would the skimmer cause this?

 

That all depends on how hot the skimmer pump gets. The pump is submerged in your tank/sump water, so it will generate some heat and transfer it to your water, raising the temperature. If it gets too hot, you can try using a cooling fan if you don't have one set up already. Skimmer pump shouldn't get too hot though.

 

+1
I wouldn't think the pump would raise the temp that much... maybe a problem with the pump???

 

If your sump is small it may heat the water up faster, as it does not have the volume of water to keep it at a lower temp. I would try the sump fan first.

 

Impeller problems can cause an increase like that. Feel the pump.

 

I felt the powerhead and it didn't feel any warmer than the water. I should of been more careful cause the powerhead fell off the tube shooting water all over the refugium lol.

 

I would definately add a sump fan if you do not already have one. This should help out with the temp.

 

How about turning the PS off and see if the temp goes down? If it does, then either the pump or the impeller needs replacing. If the temp doesn't go down, then it's not the PS.

 

DUH! Didn't even think to try that. I;ll let you know in a little bit.

 

It's been off for at least two hours and the temp is now 83. I don't get why over night it would go from 76 to 83. Maybe my digital thermometer is going bad, it was a used one after all.