I've run into a problem?? My tank is in my basement and nothing has changed on it in months. I noticed that some of my stuff wasn't as happy as they were a day or 2 ago so I started looking for a cause?? Everything checked out except my temperature. The room is 73-74 day and night. The tank has ran for most of a year at 76-77. It was 81 yesterday. I checked it this morning after the light had been out for 8 hours and it was 79. I haven't added anything in the last month that would be a heat source?? Any ideas?

P.S. I also had a brown algea breakout... it's nothing big, easily removed but it started a few days ago as well...

How old are your heaters?..... As heaters age they do not hold temperatures as consistently as they once did.... I would say more than likely it's your heater.

Oh yeah forgot to say... Heaters 6 months old and I unplugged it last night thinking the same thing!!

if your pumps are partially clogged,it could be creating more friction on them,which will create heat,check your intakes and outputs on all your pumps and their plumbing...I don't know of anything else other than the pumps and heater that would cause it,leave the heater off for a while,the temp should drop if it's the cause,hope you find the culprit

It still may be the heater?..... What size is your tank?

The tank is a 29 with about 7 gallons in the sump. I'll check the pump tonight. I have to move my tank either tonight or tomorrow night anyway so I'll check it then.