Hydro Res. Temp?

Is there an optimal temp. to keep the reservoir water at in a hydro setup? My water temp is about 75 degrees with the lights running. Don't know at knight though Bought a self thermistatically controlled fishtank heater that regulates at 78 degrees.Good idea or not?



Schmokee

I cant see how it can hurt. I use a small fully submersible pump that I got at walmart for like $15. it is self set and keeps the water at 78.

I heard cold water can sometimes be a shock to younger plants so I added it just to be safe.

i did a ton of reading on this, and temps above 70 and you get algae. temps about 74 will get root rot. the perfect temp for nutes to be absorbed from all that i have read is 68 on plants with decent root systems. with clones/young plants you need to keep the temps up alil, but not over 75.

Ceervantes sas even a little cooler. 65 degrees hold 50% more oxygen than 75 degrees. 78 is god for fish.

what can i do to keep cool?

damn so I have to water regulate at 65 for water too?

This just keeps getting harder and harder!

Well in this case just turn off the heater. Your water temps are usually pretty close to the ambient air temp. Remember it is colder at the floor level. Its a good idea to check your water temps from time to time. And like 3 said, if you get alge it may be too high. Where i live Meijers has a wide selection of aguarium heaters in thier pet department. Tells you how many gallons to use with. With a control (low to high only) for around $10. Since my resevoirs are on a concrete floor I have to heat them to 65.

Well I just took the heater out and did a water change and low and behold, there was algae. Just a very thin film layer.

All is good now and the heater is gone.

will return the 78 degree "for fish" (LOL) heater. Thanks for the input all.

Algae will only grow on wet surfaces, or your res, if light is shining on it. Cover it and it won't grow. However, res temps above 75 F will cause other bad stuff to grow in there, as well as the decreased DO (dissolved oxygen)

HTH

thanks for info.took back fish warmer(lol). Res. temps have been steady 68-72ish F with lights on, and about 85 F (high side) ambient air temp.with lights on.

You wont get true algae unless your water is exposed to light. That Red gritty hair is technically not algae, its a aerobic bacteria residue. Real common in pond/aquarium filters that are cut off from light. It will grow at any temp, to include just above freezing.

Now if your water is exposed to light which im guessing not, then algae is not a concern. Shouldnt root rought only be a concern if you dont properly aerate?

glad to help a brother out. high of 85 won't hurt too much if you have good circulation. You may want to take a temp at the top of your plants to see what it is right there.
Meijer also has foot long air stones for $1.99. Seems to put a lot of air in my resevoirs.

You also want the water temp to be no higher than the temp of the room at any time, as this will raise humidity too high which could cause mold during flowering

You are right to ask questions. You could put 50 airiation devices in that bucket. What matters is how much becomes DO. 60 to 65Degree water HOLDS 50% more oxygen according to that Jorge guy.

Thanks again for all input. I have 3 stone (1 six, and two 12's), and a seperate pump, bubbles seemed weak so I figured the more aeration (stones) the better. Air circulation is good (two fans), and algae is not a problem (no light getting to res.) I don't know how to get h2o temp to drop 10 plus degrees aside from a cooling device (chiller, etc..) which isn't feasible...Will stay the course and see what happens.
Once again thanks to all for info.

Schmokee

During the summer, I freeze several 1.5 liter Pepsi bottles filled with water. I put them in my rez and rotate them as they thaw out.

Vi

thanks Vi. very effective and simple measure. I think i'll freeze a 20 oz. and put in my center pot hole.

thanks
Schmokee

If you were in a dry climate you can place a fan inside the resevoir blowing right accross the surface. That is if humity is like 29% like where i am. However in a humid climate this would probably be a bad idea due to mold concerns. My reef aquarium i do this to, otherwise my water would be 95 degrees when the MH light is on during the day for the coral.