Are we running our tanks too hot?

[shelburn61]

From this article:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-07/snn/index.php

"Calcification in the light showed an optimum at 24° C [75.2F]... Calcification and respiration showed an optimum rate in a temperature range of 22-26° C [71.6-78.8]. Photosynthesis in A. eurystoma showed the same optimum as calcification and respiration, while in S. pistillata there were similar rates in the temperature range of 18-26° C and a decrease in 30° C."

Seems most people run their tanks at the high end of this range. Anyone seen increased growth from running tanks closer to the "optimum" 75.2F?

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

I try to replicate natural reefs, of which most are cloer to 82-86. My tank runs about 84.

 

[JJohn]

I too try to run my tank between 80 and 83. The reefs that I scuba'ed in were just over 80.

A pragmatic reason is that it is much simpler to add heat to a system rather than trying to remove it. This way, I don't need a chiller and can get away with a small fan in the canopy. My corals have excellent growth but, to be honest, my colors are just okay (probably water quality). Another side effect is that your fish will need to consume more food at higher temperatures. More food requires more nutrient export.

John

 

[twon8]

that is one specific coral being studied, maybe its natural location is in cooler waters. mine run the high side of 80, my 180 is generally 81-84. I have good growth and good color.

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

I know Blue Ridge coral grows much faster at higher temps around 84.

 

[shelburn61]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7863973#post7863973 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twon8
that is one specific coral being studied, maybe its natural location is in cooler waters. mine run the high side of 80, my 180 is generally 81-84. I have good growth and good color.

Don't think so. A quick search showed Acropora eurystoma as being native to the Red Sea and Stylophora pistillata as being native to the GBR and the Seychelles among others.

80 is obviously an acceptable temperature, but I'm just throwing this study out there for discussion.

 

[twon8]

it says stylo showed a decrease at 30c, what is that f

 

[shelburn61]

86

 

[twon8]

that sounds about right, I try to stay below 85.

 

[Horace]

Wow this is pretty crazy...I never knew so many folks run thier tanks that warm. I dont like seeing my tank over 80 and start getting nervous when it gets to 82+. I guess I need not worry so much then. I dont run a chiller either, glad I didnt decide to invest in one!

 

[reefdood]

A tank can run at 84 fine. I run mine at 80. But it's the temp swing that is bad, not just the temp. A tank at a stable 80 will have happier corals than a tank that swings from 78-84 every 24 hrs.

I have the luxury of a chiller, but if I didn't I'd shoot for something stable, even if it was 84.

 

[shelburn61]

Re: Are we running our tanks too hot?

Of course there is an acceptable range, and yes, stability is more important but...

"Calcification in the light showed an optimum at 24° C [75.2F]... [/QUOTE]

So why is 78-82 commonly listed as the target temperature window?

 

[PrangeWay]

Again, because people in general try to mimic thier mini-reefs in the temperature range that coral reef exist in, in nature, not a lab induced ideal temperature for calcification.

Also note - "The corals were cultured in continuous stirred flow cells for six weeks and were assayed once or twice a week for their photosynthesis, respiration, and calcification." 6 weeks is not a very long time to determine health and effect on a coral. 6 months maybe a bit, a year or two, alot better.

While the average reef (http://www.reefland.com/rho/1105/reefc7.php) only hits 76 at a minimum, it'd be hard to advocate keeping it noticably below the average min natural temperature. Though there are colder water reefs, but your coral would have to have been harvested there to...

 

[RichConley]

Prange, the issue here is that corals do not evolve to "thrive" in an environment, they evolve to survive. Maybe calcification/etc is easier at 70 degrees than at 80, but maybe they get outcompeted by colder water animals at that point. The fact that our corals are found in warmer waters may just show that nothing else can survive from 78+

did that make sence?



also, at this point, the last thing I'd be trying to mimic is temperatures on the natural reef.

 

[Confooseld]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7865481#post7865481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Prange, the issue here is that corals do not evolve to "thrive" in an environment, they evolve to survive. Maybe calcification/etc is easier at 70 degrees than at 80, but maybe they get outcompeted by colder water animals at that point. The fact that our corals are found in warmer waters may just show that nothing else can survive from 78+

did that make sence?



also, at this point, the last thing I'd be trying to mimic is temperatures on the natural reef.

Exactly we've been measuring temperatures for how long? The corals have been optimized for an environment that no longer exists do to global warming. (massive bleaching events globally over the past few years)

 

[Letmegrow]

The Red sea is not a good sea to use.
It is nearly land locked and does not get the same currents as the open ocean.

While it is hot in Eygypt, it is not the same as the equatorial sun in say Fiji and Indonesia where our animals more than likely come from.

To research this, find out where your corals come from first. then ask what is acceptable.

I am almost willing to bet you do not get corals from the Great Barrier reef or the Red sea, which are cool to cold water reefs, unlike the Indo Pacific.

 

[Eric Boerner]

Have to agree with the above. The study was based on a coral species that come from cold water reefs, not tropical like the indo-pacific. The Red Sea reef is not a hot reef. It is a cold water reef. The water right at the top 2 feet is around 86 degrees since the air at the surface is 115, but once you go deeper, it is cold as hell at around 70 degrees. Most divers dive the Red Sea with 2 dive suits on or an insulated dry suit. Its that cold....

 

[GreshamH]

Most MOI collectors in general use wetsuits, are want them, no matter what sea we're talking about.

 

[john f]

The first line in that paper tells me the authors already have a conclusion.......and they are simply constructing a study to support it.

As long as they are in the current Zeitgeist they will have no problem getting published.....


John

 

[LFS_worker]

I think we can all agree that mother nature does it right and we often dont do it as well ...

for the record 82.

I recomend to newbies 76 all of our animals are cold blooded soooo that being said it makes good and bad things happen slower ... once they become more of a novice to expert level (or acceptable level) Ill recomend to turn up the temps...

Brian