Dr. Rons article-fluctuations

[boxfishpooalot]

http://www.reefland.com/rho/1105/reefc7.php

Ever see this? He states that fluctuations of temperuatre and SG are not uncommon on the reef. He goes into detail that the temperatures on the reef change up and down on a daily,weekly and monthly basis. Some corals in Auastrailia great barrier reef can get to 92f in a small pool of water when the tide goes out! Whoa.

What are your thoughts on temperature/salinity changes. Why can they happen on the reef, but our corals get so sick from stuff like this in our tanks? Perhaps, its because we have too much pollutants compared to the ocean, wich weakens them.

 

[DrBDC]

Many also keep their tanks cooler than the average reef temps too. In his book he states the normal and optimal temperatures for most reef animals is 81-84. That's what I try to keep mine at and it seems to work out best and no messing and freaking out evey time the temp gets 85 on a real hot day. There are some animals i.e seahorses and Illynas. snails that don't do well but they are not from typical reef areas.

 

[Obi-dad]

If you have ever been snorkeling on a reef, you know firsthand that temps can change rapidly - waves breaking over the crest can be much colder than the water sitting in the protected side of the reef where the sun warms up the shallow water.

 

[wet reefer]

I have often wondered why some people are so obsessed with temp and salinity changes. Anybody that has dived or snorkled has felt these temp changes.
If believe though that those who use a DSB would have problems with both. Variations of either after a water change would cause some flushing of the water in the bed.
It also makes sense that some organisms would use these changes to get rid of wastes through osmosis. This should be an interesting series of articles.

 

[steve the plumb]

I have had 1 coral out of lets say 10 that died do to very warm water temp 84-86.At the time I was away and my AC unit was off.I didn't have as many corals as I do now.Come this summer I am worried since I have added 2 more mh lights to my tank.I will probably have to buy a chiller or an AC unit that is fixed.My current unit is portable and the resevoir fills after 7 to 8 hrs of use.I to have snorkeld and noticed rapid water temp changes in diff spots of the reef but such a large volume of water.If the sea was as delicate as some of our tanks you wouldn't be seeing to many corals for sale.I also noticed that NSW smells bad.I have tryed the waters in Cuba,Florida,South Carolina,MEXICO,and GREECE.The cleanest water I have seen was in cuba.It was also one of the warmest.I have heard FIGI is supposed to be the best along with Turk and cakos(excuse my sp)I have always wanted to go to FIGI but I have heard it costd a fortune.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't doubt that certain water parameters fluctuate in certain parts of the ocean. But IMO that does not say whether those changes are good, bad, or of no consequence to the organisms living there.