Temp question

[yogisfriend]

I read everything on this forum and some things on another. I have noticed a big difference regarding temperature norms. Here, it seems most keep their reef tank in the high 70's whereas on the other one, most keep them at 85-86.

I am currently cycling a 120 and was wondering--my house usually stays pretty cool in the winter (I keep the central heat at 62 during the day, 65 when I am home) and a tank heater can deal with keeping the water above that. However, during the summer I usually keep the house wide open with only the whole-house fan on occasionally to lower the temp. The a/c only goes on when the WHF cannot keep the temp under 85 or so. Even at that, I keep it at 83.

Since I don't want to hook up a chiller, wouldn't it be best to maintain a higher temp in the tank year round that is easier to control?

 

[aquaman67]

I keep my tank at 80.

But I see what you're saying and I agree that a year-round stable temp would be better than swings.

Maybe keep your tank at 82 or 83 year round. I think that would be ok.

 

[Airman]

Yogi

It depends on what you have in your tank. The more stable your system is the better.

 

[yogisfriend]

Well, at this point, all I have is a lot of rock and sand. However, my plan is to keep a wide variety of things--I am setting the system up so I don't have many restrictions.

I think you're right, stability is the key, and the temp for that seems to be about 83.

Thanks for the advice.