Ambient Temp vs Water Temp

[Reefguide]

What I'm trying to figure out is exactly what difference there normally is between ambient temps and water temps in tanks. I want to set up a rearing tank, rodifer culture tanks, and brine culture tank in my garage which is typically 85-90 degrees. Where would that put my water temps ?? I'd like to keep those tanks at about 80 degrees.

Thanks

 

[aquarist=broke]

Reefguide,

As of current, the ambient temp in my house is 79F. The tank temp is 78F. If I don't run the cooler during the day, the temperature will raise to whatever the temp is in the house. On a side note, my pumps and powerheads keep the temp from falling lower than 75F. I have never seen the temp raise over 86F, even during the hot summer days that I forget to turn on the cooler. Thank goodness for the fan I have blowing on the water's surface when the MH is on.....

Maybe if you set up a rubber maid, some equipment, and a fan blowing the surface, in the garage you could get a good idea? I read somewhere that a difference of more than 10F of the tank and ambient = lots of evaporation.

 

[danmhippo]

If all you have is a puddle of water, the water temp will match with ambient room temp eventually. But when you have added light intensity, heat gave off from powerheads and pumps...etc, you may run into heat problem if your garage temp is that high. Depending on how humid your area is. If the ambient moisture is relatively high, blowing fans across water top may not bring down water temp as efficient. You may still need a chiller or a small AC installed.

 

[Jeff Hood]

Its all going to depend on total water volume, surface area for evaporation, humidity of the room, circulation, amount of heat input from other devices, Air circulation in the room etc.........


After all that, my 580 stays right at 2 degrees warmer than ambient temp in the room.

Jeff

 

[Reefguide]

ty

 

[O P Ing]

If all you have is a puddle of water, the water temp will match with ambient room temp eventually.

hi.
Jeff is more accurate because for an open body of static water, the evaporative cooling effect typically keep it a couple degree cooler than the ambient temperature, depends on the relative humidity.

For a well covered tank, it is very difficult to keep it any lower than the ambient even with minimum water movement.