Water temps

[samdaman]

With it getting hotter by the day, I was just wondering what temperature do you keep your tanks. Do you have chillers or just play it out without one with A/C running? If you don't run a chiller. Do you notice any drastic swings in temperature when it gets super hot?

I have been reading that a warmer temperature (along with stable parameters of course) promotes faster coral growth. I also read that on the contrary, some people that run it at a lower temp 73° they get better coloration or pigmentation. There is no info backing this up so I was wondering what your thoughts are?

So basically what temperature do you run your reef tank and why? :idea:

 

[Rippinfrags]

I keep my tanks at 80F and do not use a chiller. I keep my house around 80 degrees during the day and 78 at night. I feel by keeping my tanks at 80 degrees it gives me a little wiggle room if things go bad. I personally do not believe the temperature of the tank will improve or decrease coral growth.

 

[kresDFW]

Yeah I was starting to wonder about this as well. I usually keep my house about 79 during the day and 75 at night (which is a big change from me.. since moving here I had to learn to sleep a little warmer during the summers so my AC bill didn't kill me here).

Thanks for the response Rippin.

 

[AZBigJohn]

I have 3 fans on mine that come on at 77 degrees. My tank stays between 76 and 78, I probably double my evaporation rate once it gets hotter. I have to fill my ato every other day instead of once a week like the winter.

 

[Rippinfrags]

Yeah I was starting to wonder about this as well. I usually keep my house about 79 during the day and 75 at night (which is a big change from me.. since moving here I had to learn to sleep a little warmer during the summers so my AC bill didn't kill me here).

Thanks for the response Rippin.

I hear ya, I have a portable fan that I place about three feet from me and turn it on high when I sleep!

I have 3 fans on mine that come on at 77 degrees. My tank stays between 76 and 78, I probably double my evaporation rate once it gets hotter. I have to fill my ato every other day instead of once a week like the winter.

Have you thought about increasing your temperature so evaporation is not such an issue? I can't imagine having to fill up my ato daily. I sometimes forget to fill mine and I can go two plus weeks without adding water.

 

[ksigaekdb]

I keep mine at ~81 degrees in the summer and have not noticed any impact on coral growth with the rise. I do see a little increase in algae growth but nothing that isn't manageable. A small fan blowing directly on my sump keeps the tank about 4 degrees warmer than the ambient room temp which is 77 in the summer.