Sps and temp low 80's

[BrentH]

My temp has been getting up into the low 80's 82 max can this be an issue?i had my temp probe in sump and it's been reading 78 and recently moved it to actual dt were it reads 82 My tank seems ok but I do lose a piece here and there when I get new frags thanks for any input I'm going to add another chiller in the next day or 2

 

[CW from the OC]

Many natural reefs have temps well into the mid 80's, and even higher.

 

[BrentH]

Ok I just need some reassurance

 

[BrentH]

Thank u do any u guys keep or let ur tank get into 80's mine doesn't go over 82. But has me stressing a little and chillers are not cheap I have a 1/2 hp on now and have another 1/2 in garage I can add but would be a pain

 

[Nanighan]

My tank is basically there all summer (80-84). Mostly around 82. Everything is fine in my experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEXEzItwIOQ

 

[tdb320reef]

I notice better color and health at 77-78. Faster growth at 80-81

 

[BrentH]

I've seen a few guys with there 80 to 84 then I hear some that say sps can rtn over 80 thanks again I just want to be sure and hate to have probs on something as simple as temp nice vid by the ways like when guys have stuff growing off the back and sides looks great

 

[Peter Eichler]

Anyone that thinks SPS rtn at temps above 80 is living in the stone age of reefing... 82 is an average temp for many of the reefs in the areas where are corals come from, and safe highs reach the mid to upper 80's with regularity. People shouldn't give any temps below the mid 80s even a mild consideration for being damaging, and some studies suggest that temps in the low 80's can encourage growth within certain corals.

 

[maikoa02]

It's not so much about temp. but rather stability of temp. and water parameters.

 

[BrentH]

Got it thanks I won't stress on temp as much I feel better

 

[MisterP]

Just curious what is meant by stability of temp?

I see lots of people who keep their temps strictly within +/- 1 degree F, like 77-78F.

I don't really understand why this matters as day and night temp swings in nature would be much different than just hovering the tank at +/- degree.

What are the thoughts on say letting the temp naturally cycle with the lights on up to 80-81 F, then at night dropping down to 76-77F?

 

[LoJack]

Just curious what is meant by stability of temp?

I see lots of people who keep their temps strictly within +/- 1 degree F, like 77-78F.

I don't really understand why this matters as day and night temp swings in nature would be much different than just hovering the tank at +/- degree.

What are the thoughts on say letting the temp naturally cycle with the lights on up to 80-81 F, then at night dropping down to 76-77F?

I don't think nature would have big fluctuations. You have a huge huge volume of water in the ocean, and while the reefs are in shallow water, you have such tremendous flow that I'd think you'd have tons of stability in ocean temperatures.

You would have seasonal fluctuation I think, as currents change "¦ but you wouldn't have daily fluctuation based on the weather and the sunshine, its just too much water.

 

[Peter Eichler]

I don't think nature would have big fluctuations. You have a huge huge volume of water in the ocean, and while the reefs are in shallow water, you have such tremendous flow that I'd think you'd have tons of stability in ocean temperatures.

You would have seasonal fluctuation I think, as currents change "¦ but you wouldn't have daily fluctuation based on the weather and the sunshine, its just too much water.

Actually, the temperature on many reefs in anything but stable. There are often dramatic and immediate swings throughout the course of a day due to upswells and shifting currents and tides. Also, daily shifts from day to night are also common, often in the area of 5f.

 

[Peter Eichler]

Just curious what is meant by stability of temp?

I see lots of people who keep their temps strictly within +/- 1 degree F, like 77-78F.

I don't really understand why this matters as day and night temp swings in nature would be much different than just hovering the tank at +/- degree.

What are the thoughts on say letting the temp naturally cycle with the lights on up to 80-81 F, then at night dropping down to 76-77F?

I've been stating for years that letting temperatures fluctuate is not only not harmful, but also may have some benefits. Honestly, anywhere from the mid 70's to mid 80's and the swings that occur within the range should be just fine. I've been allowing and encouraging my temps to fluctuate for years and have noticed no negatives. I feel that it has helped my corals pull through during the times when things go wrong and the temp travels outside of the desired range.

 

[MisterP]

I agree with your approach Peter and I had never found any data, YET, that shows temps staying within such a tiny range of 1 degree.

I can't see how moving from 75 as a low at night to 79-80 at full light could be harmful at all. In fact, and this is the part I really think you're spot on about is it could actually be helpful and simulate more of a natural swing.

Certainly I'm not saying 10 degree F swings are good but if the tank stays in a 4-5 F range from night to day it could be beneficial.

 

[scottwhitson]

I also agree with the theory of letting temps swing. I think the people who strive to maintain 1 degree of temp swings are asking for trouble when something does happen and you get a larger swing. I run my tanks so they don't drop below 78 but they get as high as 84 with no issues.

 

[MisterP]

Check out the info in the Borneman Corals book around pg 348. It has some nice info on this exact topic talking about how most reefs average range from about 78-84 F

Some shallow reefs even have crazy temp swings as high as 10+ F a day

 

[johnike]

What are the thoughts on say letting the temp naturally cycle with the lights on up to 80-81 F, then at night dropping down to 76-77F?

Exactly what my tank does.

 

[BrentH]

Mines 78 at night to 82 day !

 

[ptreef]

i have about 2-3 degree day swing in winter and ~3* day swing in summer.
76-79ish in winter and 78-81ish in summer.
I think a "steady temp is bad...ie set to stay with in a .5-1* range. Makes corals succeptable to any swing in the future. My opinion, however.

No issues!!