Temperature Swings

[gkersten]

How much of a temperature swing during a 24 hours period is acceptable . My 185 gal tanks presently runs 77.5 degrees at nite but once the MH lites kick in and temp of the day increases the temp in the tank goes up to 80.5 . Is that degree of swing acceptable or should I consider buying a chiller. If a chiller was used what variation in swing would I expect

[Drock169]

thats a fine swing. I've had mine swing much more than than and never lost anything.

[sphelps]

That's not too bad but if you want to decrease your swing try maintaining your temperature a little higher say 79 or even 80.

[banditpowdercoat]

But how hot is 2 hot? My tank swings like that, 78-81. I put fan on it, but now evap is almost double

[sphelps]

84 is probably the highest you want to go. It also depends on the maintained temp. For example if your tank is kept at 80, 84 isn't that bad. If your tank is kept at 78, 84 is a little worse since it's a hole 6 degrees warmer.

[Aquattro]

I regularly hit 90 for an entire summer, the swing covering 9 degrees within 24 hour period. Once it hit 91 and one of my SPS RTN'ed. Nothing else was bothered. So, 91 is too hot.
A swing from high 70s to low 80's is not something to worry about.
My current tank hits 85 or 86 daily. Normally it would sit at 80