Tank Temps

[ktnjer]

Seeing I am new to this....here goes. I was wondering the tank temps I should keep this 20 gallon at? I was searching and read around 78* + 3-4* in the summer? Then I was told around 74*-78* all year round. Can someone clarify this for me? Thanks!

 

[mike68]

i try to keep my tanks at 80 all the time

 

[Virginia Reef]

I keep mine about 79.5 (since I added a fan). Everything that I have read pegs natural reef conditions warmer...82-83. However, there are some downsides to the warmer temps. Most of the explanations make me dizzy but they center around oxygen holding capacity and ph/alkalinity. If you have a power outage, lower temp is usually accompanied by higher dissolved oxygen content that will help your tank survive longer without oxygenation and power.

IMO, 74 is too low and 78 should be fine. Keep in mind that smaller tanks are subject to more rapid fluctuations in temp (and everything else).

 

[ktnjer]

Thanks for the input guys! I adjusted my heater to 78* and it usually stays cool in the bedroom so that should do for now.

 

[rkehockey16]

mine goes between 79.5-80.5

 

[fazio92]

I keep mine at around 76 with a chiller and everything loves it. I had dino and other alage problems when it was at 80-82, maybe it was just my tank.

 

[ade]

77-79 here.

 

[J. Montgomery]

I shoot for 78. If the temp drops below 77.8, then the heater comes on. If the temp rises about 78.2 then the fans come on. They tend to stay on all day, and the temperature will climb up to 80-81 during the day depending on the heat outside.

 

[ktnjer]

I have a heater that has the temp readings on it so I just dial it in to that. I used my IR thermometer to check it and it was dead on with the heater reading

 

[J. Montgomery]

Once you get some real lights on there, the problem will be keeping the temperature down.

 

[ktnjer]

Yeh....right now I have a 14 watt compact fluorescent in there

 

[revautosports]

78-82 here