cold water corals

[arcprolife]

I keep my seahorse tank at 68-70 and was wondering what kind of corals like the lower temperatures. I have a kenya tree which isn't exactly thriving and I wonder if its a temp thing. My mushrooms are doing okay. Any thoughts would be great.

 

[ScooterTDI]

Hey arcprolife,

I'm sure the seahorse folks will slam me for this, but you don't really need to keep your tank that cold. I don't know if it bad for them or not, but those fuscus are tropical horses.

I have noticed that fuscus tend to get pretty lethargic and eat less when kept at lower temperatures. I used to keep than at around 74, but the past 6 months or so I've been keeping mine at 76-78 and I have seen alot more activity and a healthier appetite.

Scott

 

[ann83]

Scott, you mean you aren't a seahorse person? People have seen the same sorts of things with H. comes, and with some individuals of other species, also.

Arcprolife, I think a lot of softies do okay for some people at those temperatures, and at one time, I did have some kenya trees that did well at 69-71; but I don't have a whole lot of experience with different corals. Is it possible that your nitrates are too high, or the opposite, that there isn't enough for it to filter feed? Has the amount of lighting its getting changed from when it was doing well?

 

[Peka]

My kenya tree never thrived in the seahorse tank (68-72 degrees). The only thing that really makes it in that tank are mushrooms, feather dusters and a christmas tree worm rock. I hope that helps.

 

[arcprolife]

thanks guys.
The lights actually more now than it was and the kenya tree has grown in the past several months but it doesnt get real "perky" kinda flops over a lot. Thanks Scott about the temps that probably explains why mine are just as you say.

 

[rayjay]

I have 3 different kinds of seahorses and they can all live in their natural habitat at much warmer temps than I keep them at. It's not a question of what they can handle temperature wise, it's a question of how they handle the vibrio and other bacteria problems that increase at much higher rates as the temperature increases, especially above 74°F.
I thought with all my 15 yrs experience as a reefer, I would have no problem, but after losing a lot of livestock, I finally gave in and lowered the temperature and took the corals out.
While a few are fortunate to not have problems in those situations, most will have trouble leading to mortality.
It's no longer worth my while to chance it when I've already had those losses.

 

[ScooterTDI]

I should have clarified that I'm not recommending that they be kept above 74. Only that 68-70 seems to be pretty low. She could probably raise the temp a few degrees to make the tank more hospitable to corals.

Scott

 

[arcprolife]

I actually kept my 56 gallon at 72 but the 20 gallon is at 68-70 with no heater. I tried several heaters of different sizes and the tank kept jumping to 78 or even 80 and after checking with some other seahorse keepers I was told 68 is the lowest I should go but is perfectly safe. I figure 70 is better than having my temp all over the place after the horses were just moved and already stressed. I will be plumbing another 20 gallon with this one and will try another heater to see if the higher water volume will offer more stability. Heaters are so touchy until you get them just right. I have never owned one that heated the tank to the temp you actually set it at. Thank you for all the advice I figure I might not be able to grow beautiful corals but with my low temp I think I can pull off a catalina goby

 

[pledosophy]

I have kept:

kenya trees
finger leathers
devil hand leathers
capenella
sinularia
ricordia
several zoas
several mushrooms
gorgonia's
sun corals
montipora
acan's
brains
pulsing xenia
clove polyps
candy cane corals
gsp
About 10 species of macro algae

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few, but all at temps 68-74 for quite a few years now. I have no problems.

If the kenya tree is not perky check you other levels. There seems to be some correlation with low pH and or low alk IME that makes them more droopy. It could also be insufficent flow, or they could be being blown over, but not as likely in a seahorse tank.

JME, HTH

 

[arcprolife]

your right on Kevin I moved it up out of the corner and it perked right up. It is on a large rock so it was easy to re-locate. Now its right in the middle of the tank propped on some tonga and gets more light and flow-seems very happy. Thanks for all the pointers I knew it had to be something. My levels all check out okay so must be a flow and light issue.

 

[pledosophy]

Glad to hear it is doing well for you. IT is a very fun coral, it will be dropping little kenya tress off be for you know it.

Keep up the good work.

 

[mollymonticello]

I keep my temp as low as yours, down to 67*F in the winter. I have erectus which do fine at this temp, and to me it seems to help fight infection because I have pipefish, and erectus from 2 diff sources. My large female recently came down with what I think was Vibrio after I raised the temp up to 72. I lowered it down to 68 again and she healed on her own. If I had a species dedicated tank and got them all from one place, I'd probably let the temp go up to 72 or 74.

For over a year in these temps I've kept sun corals, deepwater pipe organs, Zoanthus, mushrooms, Porites with Christmas tree worms, several different species of Gorgonians (photosynthetic ones do better.) I also have my tree corals, Turbinaria, Coco worm (has grown half an inch in a month), Anthelia, etc. I also have a Duncan frag that is doing well and growing new heads, but it's not seahorse safe. I think any deepwater corals you can find would do well at our low temps. Any macros thrive in my tank, also. I have 4 different species of red macro and some pretty green ones, too.

I haven't been able to keep Montiporas, Acroporas, Pocilloporas, or Stylophoras. I should've known better, but they were just junk frags that were given to me. My chalice frag also kicked the bucket recently, probably from the low temp.

 

[arcprolife]

thank you for the good info. I always wondered if reefers keep there temps in the mid-high seventies there has to be some reason. I figured I could not have a reef set-up at 68 but its nice to know you can. Like I said before I am all happy that I can have a catalina goby since they like it cold which is so not typical of saltwater fish.

 

[mollymonticello]

Most corals do best at temps in the high 70's. But many corals CAN be kept at lower temps, particularly ones that come from deeper water or places where temps fluctuate like Florida.

I used to have Catalina gobies, but they only lived for a year at my temps. I think they do better at even colder temps than we keep ours at.

I have a zebra catalina goby now and I just love the little thing. They have a more southern distribution and do better at our seahorse tank temps than their regular Catalina goby cousins. And I think they are prettier.