Do I need a heater?

[Lutra1]

Okay, I have my little Nano Cube 24DX and it's been cycling for awhile now. My concern is that it *might* be a tad too cold. In the morning after the light has been off it's around 72f, in the afternoon after the light has been on for quite some time it gets a little warmer, but not over 76f that I've noticed. I keep my apartment very cold because I also raise chinchillas and 80f can kill them. So, normally my windows are open or I have some kind of cold air circulation running. Should I get a heater, just to be on the safe side? If so, what size/type/etc should I look for? Thanks!

 

[jdeets]

Yes, definitely get a heater--72 is pretty chilly. I use VisiTherm, but there are lots of brands out there, some are better than others. I'm sure you'll get plenty of opinions on that. As far as wattage, the heater manufacturers usually say what wattage they recommend for a given tank size.

My tank ranges in temp from 74-82; anything out of that range makes me concerned.

 

[Lutra1]

Okay, thanks! Guess I'll make a heater run when I go to get the chins new hay. Opinions on what heater to get for a nano will be appreciated.

 

[jdeets]

I'd post a similar thread in the Nano Forum. Or search that forum for heater recommendations.

 

[Anonymous]

Okay, I have my little Nano Cube 24DX and it's been cycling for awhile now. My concern is that it *might* be a tad too cold. In the morning after the light has been off it's around 72f, in the afternoon after the light has been on for quite some time it gets a little warmer, but not over 76f that I've noticed. I keep my apartment very cold because I also raise chinchillas and 80f can kill them. So, normally my windows are open or I have some kind of cold air circulation running. Should I get a heater, just to be on the safe side? If so, what size/type/etc should I look for? Thanks!

Wide temp ranges are not good for a reef set up. Always think in terms of the real life setting....a reef may swing in temps a little, but even so, it is over a year period.

72 is low, IMO for reefkeeping as well. Temp should be closer to the 80 range, but keeping it constant is even more important.

 

[fyrefysh]

100W heater would be perfect, I too use a visitherm.