[Ddrizzle]

If there is no heater or cooler affecting the tank?

Any weird thermo dynamics that happen and make them differ?

 

[Bandit1200]

There will be a difference in room temperature vs tank temperature based on a few things. One is the fluctuations in the room temperature. That will depend on your heating/cooling settings for day/night times. If you don't control control your temps that way, then the natural day/night temps will probably affect them more. Water is much more dense than air is, so just like the oceans/lakes there is a delayed effect on heating/cooling a tank vs the ambient air temps. The larger the volume of the tank the longer it will take for the tank to reach ambient temperature. Also the type/quantity of accessories, especially the lights, will add heat to the tank. This heat will add or subtract to the delay depending on if you are in a heating or cooling cycle at any given time. It is possible that even once the tank has had time to reach ambient temps, it could surpass ambient if there is enough heat being added from the lights/accessories.

 

[Deanna]

Evaporation reduces temperature and, depending upon the rate of evaporation, e.g.; if using cooling fans, can drop it 3-4 degrees F. If you are trying to decide whether or not to get a heater, I'd get one if you have livestock. Do i remember right that you have a high-end UVS? If so, that will keep your tank at a good temperature without a heater.

 

[Asteroid]

Full disclosure, I got rid of all my heaters a few years ago. So far I haven't noticed any real differences in fish or plants. My temps throughout the year vary between 68 and 75. Other than the obvious warm water fish are there plants and/ or other fish that need it warmer? A benefit of the cooler water I believe is also slower algae growth.

I guess the range of temps in ones home would be a deciding factor if one can go heater-less.

 

[AbbeysDad]

Without some heat input from equipment, water temperature in an aquarium or other container is typically 1-2°F cooler than the surrounding ambient temperature.

 

[en7jos]

Very much depends upon tank position in the room of course! Being near a window in the sun will obviously heat the tank, being near an open window / door / fan will cool it. Tank size (water volume) will determine how stable temp's are throughout the daily cycle - the bigger the more stable. But tank proportions also matter - shallower tanks have greater water surface area and hence tend to be cooled more by evaporation. Depending of course whether your tank has a lid or is open topped. So many variables, but still probably on a degree or two variation away from room ambient temp. in most cases I would guess.

 

[Ddrizzle]

Thanks everyone. I was trying to determine if the temprature of my tank was an accurate way to determine the temprature of my room.

 

[Deanna]

A lot of very experienced planted tank experts find that these type of things work pretty well:

https://www.amazon.com/AikTryee-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Thermometers-Temperature/dp/B088DPFSBR/ref=sr_1_16?dchild=1&keywords=room+thermometer&qid=1596683328&sr=8-16