Small temp swings or set heater higher?

[lastlight]

Well the light has been out for 30 min and I'm sitting at 83. Not good. Recently I started running the Tunze 9002. Perhaps the skimmer pump runs pretty warm hence the difference? It looks like I HAVE to get a fan of some sort as 83 is too high I think. And Brad I think you might be right about the shift in fluctuations...In the back of my head I had conisedered that as well.

Will higher humidity levels in the room make it harder to cool the water? Perhaps I need to leave the window cracked open during the day.

My backyard is west facing so it gets pretty hot back there. Right now we have very thin white drapes over the sliding doors and cheap venetian blinds over the kitchen sink. What can I do to combat the heat on that side of the house? I'm pretty sure almost all of my heat comes in that side. The front of the townhouse faces other houses closely so the sun never hits my livingroom window.

I was thinking heavier white drapes might keep it cooler inside?

[globaldesigns]

One thing you can try if possible:

If you can turn on your furnace fan, and leave it running, it may recirc your house are enought to cool things down. I use to do this until I got my HRV system installed recently. Just an idea. But if you are in an apartment, this would be a no go.

[Funky_Fish14]

What Global designs said is a great idea.

Brett, all good points have been mentioned already but just thought I might add; if you set you heater to 82 all the time (assuming it would eliminate the temp swing under 'ideal conditions') then you are promoting long term high temperatures. We all know this is not exactly good for 'reefs' (natural or aquarium). I think the minute swing in temperature is not much to worry about and would think it safer to simply stick to a lower temperature setting of 80 (or less).

Just a thought!

Cheers, and hope all is well.

Chris

[kien]

I use a 4 fan unit that blows across my water surface when my temp hits 80. My temp goes from 77 (at night) to 80 during the day with the halides on. Works well, have never even considered a chiller.

[lastlight]

Yeah it's funny because when it started getting hot here I looked all over on the thermostat for a fan switch. I did that when I had a house all the time to freshen things up. I can't see anything on there to do that but maybe I'm an idiot. I can only get the furnace to blow when it's heating?

I'm going to get fans today for a start but I'm still thinking thicker drapes in the kitchen would help out a lot. If someone with small fans can suggest either a 2 fan or 4 fan unit for a 34g I'd appreciate it.

[no_bs]

Wish i could give some more insight, but my tank doesn't move off of 79. Fans are the way to go i guess if a chiller isn't in the bufget. Good luck with the summer.

[Funky_Fish14]

Brett - If there is no switch on your thermostat, check around the actual furnace unit itself. It may or may not be labelled, but usually there should be a switch for the fan by the furnace unit.
HTH.

Chris