Learn from my mistake(s): excessive thermal variation

[Reef Bass]

An unfortunate combinations of events led me to discover the limits of tolerance of thermal variations of my collection of corals, Montipora sp. and Acropora sp. corals in specific.

Without detailing my stupidity, let's just hypothetically say that one forgot to turn back on one's return pump after late night feeding, and the tank sank 3 degrees below normal, say 78 to 75 by morning. Then later that day, again hypothetically speaking, because one had moved into an oversized easy bake oven rental with no a/c, and no chiller was online, the tank temp went from 78 to 83.

Normally, minus a couple degrees is not a big deal. And plus a couple degrees, even as many as 4 daily, not a big deal in my experience.

However, couple those together within 24 hours, with the tank experiencing a temp swing between 75 and 83, and I can confirm that significant damage may occur in a number of popular Montipora sp. and some Acropora sp.

I am surprised that Montipora sp. seem to be more sensitive to excessive thermal variation than Acropora sp., but that is what I have noticed.

Fortunately for my corals and my sanity, since bringing my chiller online, and not being a dumb hind quarters about turning my return pump back on after feedings (countdown alarms are very practical), things have stabilized and indeed are improving.

Please benefit from my "learning experience"

 

[zeroinverse]

Yes, I have had times when I shut off
My return pump during water change and forget to turn back on.

 

[jimlin]

your temp swing is not as bad as mines right now that i am trying to fix. mines fluxuates between 78-89 on a daily basis due to no ac, no room for chiller, fan taking long time to ship which so far only resulted in shrimp deaths and zoas slightly bleached.

 

[Reef Bass]

Good to hear your tank is holding on. The fan should help.

 

[thysrof]

Kenny,

I feel you're pain. I too have forgotten the basics from time to time. I think it's part of the ups and downs of our hobby. I agree backup reminders are always a great idea.

 

[Xx YOZER xX]

Kenny I'm sorry to hear about your situation. There have been a few times since I started this hobby that I have been forced to spend a bunch of money I didn't have to save my system. Your tank is going to love you for the chiller. I had to get one a few months back out of necessity and now my whole tank is much happier. Surprisingly enough, my PG&E didnt go up too much

 

[kodiak23]

Mistakes are so frustrating. I haven't been taking the greatest care of my tank lately and every time I walk by, I say to myself, I need to spend more time in it. Then say, I'll do it tomorrow. That happens everyday
Well today, I finally decided to spend 5 minutes on it after seeing a couple of my SPS not looking great. I tested my alk and it's 9.7 dkh, I normally keep it around 7. Well I guess it's not a mistake, but more procrastination. Think I need to make some changes to the tank to spark some excitement/enthusiasm. Although it is interesting to see which corals are thriving wih high alk. My tank just turned 2 years old. Thx for letting me rant on your thread. What do people do to keep excitement in a tank when there isnt anymore room for new corals?

 

[Reef Bass]

Your tank is going to love you for the chiller. I had to get one a few months back out of necessity and now my whole tank is much happier. Surprisingly enough, my PG&E didnt go up too much

Yeah thanks. I've had the chiller for a couple years, but in my old house I only needed it for a month or so a year. The tank was on the first floor roughly in the center of a well insulated two story house. It just didn't get hot. My new rental is a small single story which heats up considerably. It took me a while to acknowledge that and to dig the chiller out.

And yes, with the chiller running now what's left of the monties are turning around. Acros looking good or at least no more decline. Zs, Ps and Euphyllia relatively unaffected.

I agree the bump in pge bill hasn't been so bad.

Thx for letting me rant on your thread.

No problem. Sometimes interesting discussions can result.

What do people do to keep excitement in a tank when there isnt anymore room for new corals?

Prune or swap out corals.

Re-aquascape.

Get a bigger tank!