Just wondering... on setting up new heaters

[globaldesigns]

Just got 2 new eheim 200 watt heaters

I have my tank set to 78-79... one heater, the light turns on at 79, so this seems accurate. The other the light turns on at 75. Can these brand of heaters be out of wack that much? The calibrate wheel is set to the middle for both.

No biggie, just wondering

[The Grizz]

I have never had a heater that has been bang on accurate, thinking about trying a digital heater.

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

I have never had a heater that has been bang on accurate, thinking about trying a digital heater.

But 4-5 degrees out?

FYI, I set them up by setting to lowest, turning up slowly until light turns on. This will increase temp slightly, but that is OK. If I wanted to setup at lower temp to thermometer, I set to highest point, then turn slowly until light turns off.

[globaldesigns]

K, doing some googling and seeing this is quite common. People are saying the older models were better calibrated, but these are still suppose to be the best for not exploding. This true?

Maybe I should look for a controller... any affordable ones out there?

[marie]

I have glass tops and metal halide lights on my tank and haven't needed a heater (or a chiller) since I set it up last may......temp stays between 79-82

[lastlight]

I'd never trust the built in thermostats. I use a ranco controller but even those are more than $100.

[daniella3d]

your temperature fluctuate too much. Thats 3 degree and I am guessing between day and night. too much.

My temperature stay at 76 day and night. no fluctuation but I use a controller. 82 is quite high.

Originally Posted by marie

I have glass tops and metal halide lights on my tank and haven't needed a heater (or a chiller) since I set it up last may......temp stays between 79-82

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by daniella3d

your temperature fluctuate too much. Thats 3 degree and I am guessing between day and night. too much.

My temperature stay at 76 day and night. no fluctuation but I use a controller. 82 is quite high.

"The average annual temperature of most coral reefs is around 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 28 degrees Celsius)(see Table I and Figure 1), which seems to be the optimum for coral growth (Barnes et al. 1995, Clausen and Roth 1975, Weber and White 1976, Coles and Jokiel 1977 and 1978, Highsmith 1979). The commonly advised mini-reef temperatures of 74 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 25 degrees Celsius) are stressing most of the animals unnecessarily and, in some cases, severely."

In addition to this natural reefs fluctuate in temperature throughout the day depending on current. Observations between 76-83 are very common, what are you basing your statement on?

[asylumdown]

Originally Posted by Zoaelite

"The average annual temperature of most coral reefs is around 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 28 degrees Celsius)(see Table I and Figure 1), which seems to be the optimum for coral growth (Barnes et al. 1995, Clausen and Roth 1975, Weber and White 1976, Coles and Jokiel 1977 and 1978, Highsmith 1979). The commonly advised mini-reef temperatures of 74 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 25 degrees Celsius) are stressing most of the animals unnecessarily and, in some cases, severely."

Hmmm, I had thought 25 was too low for a tank so I upped my apex to keep my tank between 26.1 and 26.5. It got really hot in my house a few days ago when it was sunny and the tank got up to 27.1 and I was freaking out. Now me-thinks I should have it set there.

[daniella3d]

On personal experience with my own corals. When temperature get that high I see retracted polyps and RTN follow if I keep it that way.

Stressing most animals at 77 F? Some of my stressed corals grow 1" per month. I have quite a few deep water acroporas now, and they don't seem to like hot water at all.

Maybe it depends on the species.

It's funny because you mention one reference, then others will say other things. Temperature is one of the most controversial subject it seem. I keep reading conflicting opinions. I know 82F does not work with my own reef. I put a fan so that when the temp reach 78 it start automatically. I never had RTN since I keep my temperature on the lower side.

If anyone is using this high temperature and it work for them and they never get RTN, then they should surely keep at it. Does not work for me.

Originally Posted by Zoaelite

"The average annual temperature of most coral reefs is around 82 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit (27 to 28 degrees Celsius)(see Table I and Figure 1), which seems to be the optimum for coral growth (Barnes et al. 1995, Clausen and Roth 1975, Weber and White 1976, Coles and Jokiel 1977 and 1978, Highsmith 1979). The commonly advised mini-reef temperatures of 74 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 to 25 degrees Celsius) are stressing most of the animals unnecessarily and, in some cases, severely."

In addition to this natural reefs fluctuate in temperature throughout the day depending on current. Observations between 76-83 are very common, what are you basing your statement on?