Reef Temperature

[L98-Z]

What is the idea reef temperature?

I'm certain this has been debated at one point or another, so if there is a good thread on it, a link would be just as useful.

I've found that everything from the various fish sites, to random books, to the aquacontroller manual seems to indicate different temperatures. Ranging anywhere from 72-81 degrees.

What is the ideal temperature? Or what is believed to be the ideal temperature?

 

[K' Family Reef]

there is a lot of debate but here is my experience fwiw

when our phosphates were high
our corals reacted strongly to temperature fluctuations... anytime the temps would hit (on hot days here in arizona) 84 then the corals would start showing stress...

once the po4 was under control
then they no longer reacted whatsoever to temp fluctuations... and have even seen the temps climb up to over 88* w/ no (obvious) signs of stress on the corals... in fact that has happened quite a few times over this last summer... our average daily temperature has stayed at around 85 all summer long (over this last summer)... we run fans and dont worry about the temp fluctuations anymore... admittedly was even surprised when the temps climbed really high that the corals didnt show stress... heard from a veteran reefer once that as long as the nutrients are kept low then the corals can w/stand temps even in the 90's... but i wouldnt want to be the one to run that experiment!

good luck!
and let the flames begin!

regards

 

[crvz]

ideal for what? I've read that corals thrive the most at a bit higher temps, in the low 80s, but so does algae and other metabolizing creatures, so sometimes lower temps help control problems.

so I'd say between 76-82.