I have a saltwater tank with the water level just an inch from the top. The temperature ranges from 78 - 80. Is it possible that the water is too high and is being affected by the lights, causing the high temperature?
2007-06-12 12:32:11 · 3 answers · asked by nydmnd 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
I dont have a heater ( I live in South florida!) Just the flourescent bulbs.
2007-06-12 12:46:43 · update #1
Your lighting can have a large impact on water temperatures however 78-80 isn't high for salt water. Actually 80-83 is perfect.
Nothing to worry about yet. However I know how hot it gets in S. Florida during August and September. If you find that your temps are running really high, just having a fan blowing across the lighting will help.
2007-06-12 14:36:07 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you've got compact fluorescents or metal halide lighting, it's a possibility that the lights are raising the temperature. Particularly if you've got CFs and a glass cover.
Actually 78-80o isn't too high for a saltwater tank (the tank temperature should be 76-80o), though, unless you're keeping temperate (more uncommon) rather than tropical (most of what is sold) organisms. I would only worry for tropicals if there are photosynthetic organisms in the tank and the temperature was consistantly getting 84+.
Does the 78-80o differ significantly over the course of the day (cooler in the morning after the lights have been off and warmer in the evening after they've been on all day)? If the change is 4-5 degrees, that's not too bad for a fluctuation.
NOTE: Don't try and control this by changing the water level.
2007-06-12 19:46:50 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
fluorescent dont give off that much heat....your heater may be too large for your tank......make sure your heater is rated for your tank size. if it is too big, it will fluctuate your overall temp
2007-06-12 19:41:59 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋