Ideal Tank Tempuratures?

[CraigG]

When I search I find such a variation of numbers. some saying 75-76 and some saying 80-81, well what the hell!

My main 29g reef tank is between 79-81, with a fan it stays around 76-77. My second reef (For growing out frags and such) stays right around 78-79, 76-77 with a fan.

What are the 'ideal' temps for a reef tank? Is it based on the fish and corals you have?

 

[Pico Keeper]

For an average reef with LPS and SPS or softies etc.. most of the time anywhre b/w 78-81 is fine. Just try to pick a number in there and keep it within a degree or two.

I've noticed if I run my tank at 81-82 degrees, things seem to grow faster. So I run it hotter in the summer to grow out the tank quickly. And in winter when it's easier to keep cool I drop the temp to 78-79....less growth in fish and corals.

 

[jeffbrig]

Average water temps on tropical reefs are 80+. In an aquarium, maintaining oxygen levels is a concern as temps increase. The max upper threshold for corals is around 85, but you would be playing with fire to let a tank get that high. I'm perfectly content to run my tank at 81, the chiller kicks in at 82 as needed.

 

[stevem650]

Hey Craig...My tank runs 79 to 81.6 in the PM. Seems to work for me. Also, I need to return the suction gun. Let me know when is a good time...Thanks

 

[CraigG]

I guess keeping it around 79-80 is fine then. We have wanted to raise the AC in our house since they raised the electric bills, but our temps went up to 84! Perhaps with the fans I can raise the temp in our apt a few degrees and keep the same temps I have now.

 

[Pico Keeper]

It's amazing how much cooling a fan over the display and over teh sump helps. I dropped 2 degrees, with a tiny fan over my display. Hitting the water surface and the lights as well.

 

[ek9vboi]

I try to keep mine around 77-79, but thats what I like. I think I might raising it up a little, the fans seem to cause more evaporation when they are on due to the temps in my house. Maybe I'll start doing 78-80 and my light cutoff will be set at 81, although it will never go that high. I have seen great growth with most of my corals with 77-79 but I think I will give slightly high temps a try because from the looks of it some of my corals are not opened as they use to be when the temps were higher.

Anyone know anything about corals opening up and closing due to temps?

 

[Ryanqk]

my 29gl is always 78 no fluctuations at all. Heater in sump and AC on cold (i keep my place like a meat locker)

 

[Rogger Castells]

Craig, IMO actual temperature is not important within a range between 77 to 82, what is very important is that whatever temperature you choose, you try to keep it as stable as possible, I use a temperature controler connected to fans to keep it stable, I am talking within +/- 0.2 degree day and night.
I keep my tanks at 79.7 to 79.9

 

[ek9vboi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8323618#post8323618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ryanqk
my 29gl is always 78 no fluctuations at all. Heater in sump and AC on cold (i keep my place like a meat locker)

Your not joking about that. lol

 

[CraigG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8323686#post8323686 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rogger Castells
Craig, IMO actual temperature is not important within a range between 77 to 82, what is very important is that whatever temperature you choose, you try to keep it as stable as possible, I use a temperature controler connected to fans to keep it stable, I am talking within +/- 0.2 degree day and night.
I keep my tanks at 79.7 to 79.9

I see what you mean. That would be nearly impossible for me. Unless I have my heater come on at 78-79 degrees to pop it up that one degree back to 80.

 

[chrisaggie]

I agree with Rogger, but I think 0.2 degrees is a little extreme. I think +or- 1 degree is fine. Most people have a much larger temp swing than they realize.

 

[truth954]

I didnt realize how much of a swing mine was till i was able to Data Log from the AC 3 but now with the controller turning the fans and Chiller on (thnks to Rogger) corals and fish seem happier with the temp within 1/2 degree 80 - 80.5

 

[chrisaggie]

Does the AC display temp to the tenth of a degree (78.9 for example)?

 

[astrogazer]

I use a small chiller on my 70 as I don't have central, just window shakers. This keeps my temp at 79.5 +/- .5, I agree with the posts above, actual temp isn't as important as keeping the variation to a minimum.

 

[NanoKat]

So, are you guys saying...there should be no fluctuation in temp from day to night? I was speaking with someone about a nano recently and we got on the subject of temp. I mentioned that I believed that there should be no fluctuation between day and night temps...but I didn't know for sure.

With nanos it's especially a problem to keep them stable as they change so quickly. I used to use a fan with my pcs but my evaporation was insane...1/2 gal per day on a 15g. Now it's more like 1/2 gal every 3 days or so with t-5's and no fan (besides the one built into the light fixture).

 

[Rogger Castells]

Yeah, the smaller tank the harder it gets to keep anything constant, actually 1/2 gal day is not much, my 75 uses 4 gal, the 40 uses 3 gal/day, my 210...I have no idea! thanks god for automatic water top offs!

 

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8331085#post8331085 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rogger Castells
my 75 uses 4 gal, the 40 uses 3 gal/day, my 210...I have no idea!

:eek1: :eek1: :eek1:

Wow....my 250 evaporates less than 1g per day. I usually go 2-3 weeks before refilling my 30g RO/DI reservoir, and I never let it go down all the way.

 

[CraigG]

When I run the fans on my 29g I get over 1/2g a day evaporation.

 

[newreefbishop]

I recently put a fan blowing on the water, and temps stay right at 78.9 degrees during the day, in the night it drops to 76.5 or so. Is this normal or pretty good?

My water evaps about 1.5 gallons a day. Trying to work on the placement of my auto top off which should be in place in about a month but till then Im doing it the old fashioned way.