Max temp for cycling a tank?

d2mini

Premium Member
I need to set up a temp holding container, with no chiller, and want to cycle it.
Fall temps will start dropping soon, but I'm wondering how high water temps can get in a tank with just saltwater and established live rock while cycling without negatively effecting said cycle/life on the rock?
I would assume mid 80's? Maybe a higher 80's????
 
My cycles go fast at about 85F.

Biological activity increases with temp, but available O2 decreases with increasing temp (and increasing salinity)
 
I cycled some rock last year during summer in my garage and the water got up to 88 degrees seemingly without any issues.
 
The optimum temp is 86
http://www.bioconlabs.com/nitribactfacts.html

Temperature

The temperature for optimum growth of nitrifying bacteria is between 77-86° F (25-30° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 50% at 64° F (18° C).

Growth rate is decreased by 75% at 46-50° F.

No activity will occur at 39° F (4° C)

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 32° F (0° C).

Nitrifying bacteria will die at 120° F (49° C)

Nitrobacter is less tolerant of low temperatures than Nitrosomonas. In cold water systems, care must be taken to monitor the accumulation of nitrites.
 
I went ahead and set it up last week even though temps are wavering up and down, some days still reaching into the low 90's here in houston.
So the tank water is at least in the mid to high 80's most days if not higher and temps are supposed to drop this week. Another couple weeks running like this and I'll feel more comfortable transferring stuff to this container. Not sure if this is even necessary as everything (except sand) is going to be transferring from my main tank, but it makes me feel a little more comfortable. :)

Thanks!
 
I went ahead and set it up last week even though temps are wavering up and down, some days still reaching into the low 90's here in houston.
So the tank water is at least in the mid to high 80's most days if not higher and temps are supposed to drop this week. Another couple weeks running like this and I'll feel more comfortable transferring stuff to this container. Not sure if this is even necessary as everything (except sand) is going to be transferring from my main tank, but it makes me feel a little more comfortable. :)

Thanks!

Dennis, you know that it is the consistency and degree of fluctuation that make more of a difference then the actual high point
 
Dennis, you know that it is the consistency and degree of fluctuation that make more of a difference then the actual high point

Normally i try to keep things as stable as possible but unfortunately I can't in this case until i can move the chiller from the display. So my main concern was max temps.
 
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