high temp without heater or lights!!!

[fresh]

Hi all,

I just noticed that my tank's temperature is at 81.5 F without my heater being plugged in or even my lights on!!!

Is this normal??? My guess is no!!!

I have 4 power-heads plugged in with a remora-pro protein skimmer with the mag350 pump.

I noticed that my tank's temp goes down as my lights go on because I have a clip-on fan that operates during "day-time" hours. My tank's temp drops to about 79.5 F

What can I do as I am getting a bit worried.

Thanks

[Chin_Lee]

double check the thermometer to see if its working properly before adjusting anything else (compare the temp with another thermometer or your thermostat)

[fkshiu]

It could well be the Mag pump. I run a Mag5 on my remora in a 46 gallon. My temp stays at 79F (quite a bit above room temp as I like the house relatively cool) and my heater is virtually never on.

Mags are known to be big power hogs which produce a lot of heat.

[Beverly]

A 2-3 degree temp swing (78F-81F) is okay in our tank.

[Farrmanchu]

It's your pumps creating heat, is there a way to keep the fan on all the time? It will help to gas off CO2 as well.

[ron101]

What size tank is it and what type of powerheads? Many pumps and powerheads generate a fair bit of heat.

Try unlpugging one or two powerheads for a day and check your temp. That should give you an idea of how much they are contributing.

[littlesilvermax]

I have four T5s and two 6 foot VHOs and 3 250 watt halides and they heat my water by about 1 degree.

My Pumps (Sequence Hammerhead, pcx40, pcx50, pcx30, and Blueline 100) heat my water by about 14 degrees! Keep in mind all the above pumps are external, so they heat the water less. Submersible pumps heat the water by quite a bit.

[fresh]

It is a 72 gal and the powerheads are all hagen 3x201 and 1x402 plus the Mag350 for the skimmer.

I have noticed that the temp has started to decrease as the weather is getting a bit colder... My heater has been actually unplugged for 4 days now!!! I am considering of running without a heater even!!!

[ron101]

I wouldnt remove your heater. If the thermostat is working it properly the heater won't contribute to a heat problem but it will protect against a temperature drop should the ambient temperature get cold.

[1bigstud]

I havent used a heater since june. I am kinda concerned about the tank temp though in the mornings it will be about 73 and by night time it will be at about 79-80.

[fresh]

70???????????????????????????????????????

does anything even survive that cold tempreture, let a lone the big swing????

Anybody, is this normal, or even doable?

[1bigstud]

Sorry about that I had meant to put 73. Though I think stuff can survive in 70

[fresh]

That is still quite a big swing!!! Do you keep a reef or fish-only tank?

[1bigstud]

It is a reef tank. I agree that it is a big swing but it was that way for the entire summer and everything was fine. Now that I have my heaters plugged in it shouldnt be as bad.