What WAS killing my tank... I think...

[Jflip2002]

I think I was cooking everything in my tank. Im never really home while its warm during the day. So by the time I come home, its about 78 degrees or so, maybe up to 80 on real hot days here. Well, I came home during the day today, instead of the evening, and my tanks temperature was above my little stick on black thermometer strip goes! I had to get my little bobber thermometer out, and it was 89 degrees! Im not too sure about the "correct" temperature, and I know opinions vary, but I do know very well that 89 is INCREDIBLY high.

As further evidence, I took out my flowerpot, what was left of it at least, and tossed it straight into my puffers tank, since I figured it was dying anyways. Within 2 minutes, the little tips started coming out! The water in the puffers tank is about 80 degrees, because he doesnt have very good lights. So I guess that answers my question, on what the heck was wrong with my tank

It wasnt cycling, it was cooking!

[hng]

89? Holy cow! Yeah, that's really hot, but the thing that may have affected your corals just as much was the dramatic temperature swings. I hope you can figure out how to regulate your tank temps.

[Jflip2002]

I figure I'll make it so my heater comes on at night, so it doesnt drop to the 75 degrees or whatever it gets to. And right now, I had my lights resting on the tank. On monday when my T5s come in, they have legs, and I'll mount a little fan on the back of the tank, so blow the heat away from my water. Hopefully that'll regulate it.

[Isda]

Does your tank have a glass cover? I know when I had the cover on my tank the temperature would rise during the day. I was leaving the lid open then finally got rid of it.

[Jflip2002]

No, about 20% of it is covered, because its acryllic. The rest is virtually covered by my PCs. The only part thats not covered is where my biowheel flows water into.