Temp changing

Hi all...have a situation to ask about. I have a 300 watt heater in my main tank, out from the return line. I thought this might help regulate the temp, but ...

when the house gets cold, the take temp. drops down to about 75, and when the room is warm, its goes up to 80-81....now this doesn't happen a bunch here in Florida, but when it does get cold here the water temp drops. No central heating/air

Is this ok? I don't know what to do to correct this. Another heater oppisite side of tank? I don't have room for the heater in the sump. Already tried that.

Any help/ideas would be appreciated!!!!

thanks,

Scoffer

 

What type of heater is it? I have a larger tank with a 350w titanium heater and I've never seen it drop below what I have it set at (75 deg F). You can buy a real good one for about 30 dollars on ebay.  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...;item=4359518292&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW   As far as the temperature cycling like that, mine does it also. With the air conditioner off in the winter time, my tank will go from 75 in the morning to 79 in the late afternoon. That's probaly not a good thing but so far I haven't noticed any problems because of it... My heater is in my sump, the element is about 12" long
Jim

 

[quote author=Scoffer link=board=General;num=1109086347;start=0#0 date=02/22/05 at 10:32:27]
Another heater oppisite side of tank?  I don't have room for the heater in the sump. Already tried that.[/quote]
That would be my first choice

 

yep,  titanium heaters are the way to go.  I have a 300w won proheat 1 on my 120 and it keeps my tank at a steady 80F,  and I live in Minnesota and keep the house a 71F during day and 67F at night. Do you have the tank lights sitting on top of the glass or is it raised up a few inches off the water? Raising it up will allow better heat dissapation and not heat the tank up as much.

 

Yeah lights are about 3 inches above the glass..is that too much above???

I need to make a new canopy anyways!! time time time

A titanium heater huh?? I'll look into that then...maybe that will takes mines place , make it the Primary heater, and use the current 300watt I have now as a backup, for mixing, etc.....

please let me know ideas about the height of my lights , never thought I might ahve them too high up and am losing light power!!!

thanks

Scoffer

 

I would consider raising the lights up another 1-2" to  help with overheating during the day.  You have plenty of light.  Raising the tank lights and getting a titanium heater will help keep your temp more constant.  If your tank still over heats during the day you might want to remove the glass top or 1/2 of it and use an eggcrate for the top.  You will get more evaporation and better cooling during the day and then your improved heater will keep the temp from dropping at night.  I suggest you consider a titanium heater with a separate temp probe like the Won Pro heat.  I have 2 of them and my tanks never waver more than .2F.