Tank Temps
- Thread starter timr
- Start date
reefworm
New member
I think most of us keep temps around 80~82 F. There have been some, shall we say, spirited debates about this issue, but most equatorial reefs have temps in that range [higher in the Red Sea]. How much of that is a matter of rising temps/global warming? Who khows? Careful records of reef temps have only been kept recently and we don't have data from decades ago. Having said that, my tank has been mushrooms, lps and softs with tank temp in the range I mentioned, and the animals have thrived. Feeding is another issue you'll need to address. As for temp, do a search in rc's search engine and you'll find TONS of info.
jeffbrig
Premium Member
The smart thing to do is run your tank temps where the tank naturally wants to be - within reasonable limits. If your tank naturally gravitates to 77, by all means, run at 77. If you have a lot of lighting or other equipment, and it runs 82, keep it at 82. If the tank is falling to the mid/low 70s, or getting hotter than 82-83, you may want to think about a heater, fans, or chiller. But I wouldn't waste the electricity to heat a tank from 77 to 81 just for the sake of beign a little warmer.
My tank naturally settles around 80.x overnight, and will rise a few degrees with lights on. So, I set my chiller to come on at 82. Why fight it anymore than I have to?
My tank naturally settles around 80.x overnight, and will rise a few degrees with lights on. So, I set my chiller to come on at 82. Why fight it anymore than I have to?
alan214
Premium Member
As marine aquarists, we have a responsibility to to keep our tank's temp at a range which as closely as possibly emulates the natural habitat of most of its inhabitants. It has been proven that this is actually closer to 82 than the 77 degrees that most uninformed hobbyists use.
To suggest that a tank knows what is best for itself (as jeffbrig seems to suggest) is not responsible husbandry. We have the responsibilty to intervene to maintain a natural temp range which keeps our fish, corals and inverts as healthy and happy as possible.
jeffbrig
Premium Member
I'm not suggesting that the tank knows best. I'm suggesting that if the natural temp is within a reasonable range, there's not much point in trying to force it to a specific target temperature.
As far as what's a reasonable temperature range: I've been on a natural reef in Hawaii that peaked at whopping 78 in the middle of July, and it was absolutely covered with fish and coral. I've been on numerous reefs in the FL Keys and Caribbean where temps routinely fall below 70 in the winter months, but rise to the mid 80s in the summer.
IMO, it is perfectly responsible to keep your tank anywhere from the mid 70s to the low/mid 80s. If your tank falls within this range naturally, it's a waste of power to heat or cool it to an arbitrary target. If you feel different, that's you prerogative, but that doesn't make me an irresponsible reefkeeper.
alan214
Premium Member
I think you need to do some more research. The average reef temperatures are much warmer than the one place you personally visited. To intentionally ignore that your tank should be warmer (again, closer to 82 or even higher) is clearly to the detriment of your fish and corals. It's entirely your perogative to ignore that, I suppose.
MTB
New member
Alan and Jeff both make good points IMPO. That said, My tank stays 79-81. No heater no chiller thats just where it stays. If the temp dropped to 77-79 lets say over a week I probably wouldn't do any thing to correct it(solong as the temp stayed stable). Adding another piece of equipment would just up the electric bill($300 already).
greenbean36191
Premium Member
I don't think Jeff's recommendation is out of line. I would say he has a better grasp of natural reef temps than most reefers. While the average reef is around 82, a lot of the corals in the trade do come from areas like Fiji that are cooler than average. Keeping temps a bit lower than the worldwide average won't cause any harm to most corals other than slightly slower growth. Just as with high temperatures though, you don't want to go too low. People seem to have some unfounded fears of temperatures near the average that are driving them to keep their tanks cooler and cooler, and closer to the lower limit for some species.
Anything from the upper 70s to mid 80s is safe long term, and occasional dips into the mid to low 70s are fine. Most hard corals experience maximum growth near 83-84 though.
Personally, my tank ranges from 78-86.
Anything from the upper 70s to mid 80s is safe long term, and occasional dips into the mid to low 70s are fine. Most hard corals experience maximum growth near 83-84 though.
Personally, my tank ranges from 78-86.
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