what did dr.ron say?

[bpkenn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13397098#post13397098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
Big tip I got is not to worry about my tank's temp. The waters most of our corals come from is around 83 degrees & warmer. I always freaked out when my tank got that high. Now I don't worry. Fluctuation is good too.

How literal should this be taken? what is the limit to acceptable fluctuation? +/- 3? like say from 77 to 83? with the median temp being 80? or is that too much flux?

Reason I ask, is my temps have been fluctuating and have been considering the idea of a temp controller. Is a controller still adviseable, or should i set my min temp on the heaters, and let it fluctuate from there?

 

[Kmiec123]

ocean temps

Check out the facts....pappa new guini has 9 degree fluctuations within 2 days from time to time.

 

[Pufferpunk]

My tank often goes from 82-78 in a day night cycle. It has gone as far as 83.9 to 77.8.

 

[Racenrich]

my buddies tank, which resides in his garage, due to the significant other....DOH....has a temp swing in the winter time from a low of 69 all the way to 80...every day!! all has done well!

i thought he was nuts, till i saw the temp one morning!

 

[DaveBien]

Just think of the oceans.... temp swings all the time in nature.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Same thing with salinity too.

 

[Kmiec123]

I was thinking of setting up a rain simulator on my system to assist in Top-Off and Salinity swings.

 

[bpkenn]

This will save me a lot of needless worry and some cash, Thanks!

 

[bpkenn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13409422#post13409422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kmiec123
I was thinking of setting up a rain simulator on my system to assist in Top-Off and Salinity swings.

This sounds interesting, but complicated, want to elaborate? How would you disperse water drops without obstructing your lights, or just making a huge mess?

 

[Kmiec123]

Maybe something like this or a RO water surge....Hmmmmm....
I'll have to keep contemplating this one.

 

[DaveBien]

Karl,

I was thinking if doing the same thing but for some different apps. Look at misting systems or lawn sprinkler items (just remove the metal springs) in the big box stores. Misting systems have been around for quite a while for animals like dart frogs etc. I think there was a thread on the DIY of RC. The professional systems are quite $$$. Let me see if I can find the info again.

 

[roshi719]

Here's the funny thing about temp. It's usually not the temp that is harmful, but the relationship between temp and dissolved oxygen. As temp goes up dissolved oxygen goes down. However, if you have adequate surface agitation this is much less of an issue. Since the focus for the past five years has been flow flow flow, it makes sense to me that those who once said keep the temp below 80 have now changed their minds. Remember there is much more flow and surface churning going on in a real reef compared to our glass box reefs.

That being said I wouldn't let my reef get up to 84 degrees unless I had ridiculous flow, and a water surface that looked like the rapids on the Colorado river.

 

[Kmiec123]

Good point.....I don't start to worry unltill it's over 84

 

[adamjr]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13410602#post13410602 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roshi719
Here's the funny thing about temp. It's usually not the temp that is harmful, but the relationship between temp and dissolved oxygen. As temp goes up dissolved oxygen goes down. However, if you have adequate surface agitation this is much less of an issue. Since the focus for the past five years has been flow flow flow, it makes sense to me that those who once said keep the temp below 80 have now changed their minds. Remember there is much more flow and surface churning going on in a real reef compared to our glass box reefs.

That being said I wouldn't let my reef get up to 84 degrees unless I had ridiculous flow, and a water surface that looked like the rapids on the Colorado river.

Actually according to Dr. Ron the flow should be laminar as opposed to chaotic. Flow is still important but as far as feeding goes on corals his research shows that a steady even flow is best.

 

[Kmiec123]

That was for one type... Gorgonia species, not all corals....some live in surg areas and can grab food better and love all the flow they can get.

 

[adamjr]

Correct. I thought I said gorgonians but I neglected that. Thanks Karl.

 

[DaveBien]

Dr Ron presented the original studies, videos, etc at Pittsbugh, MACNA XIX. He had just gotten the first research done right before the show. Its all aimed at the Gorgonian feeding technique. Amazing vids.

 

[DaveBien]

Karl, also check this out if you haven't already.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2003/short.htm