Debate time ! Perfect water temperature?

cnseekatz · Jun 1, 2016

I run my reef between 79-81 degrees. I think you can be a few degrees cooler, or a few degrees warmer, as long as it's consistent. It's the large fluctuations (more than 2 or 3 degrees) that cause problems. Like most things in this hobby, consistency is key. Quick changes are problematic.

Agamerce · Jun 1, 2016

Think about it! What environment are you replicating? what species do you have in the tank? If you look at regions and zones native to the places you're replicating from NOAA and other credible sources, 81 degrees is reasonable. In the Caribbean and South Pacific temps get even closer to 90 degrees. Not saying 90 is recommended, but where do you get that 81 is too high. At the same time, 78 isn't wrong either just that neither is 81.

Also, take into account the region you operate your tank. Do you live near the moderate zones or closer to the equator? warmer outdoor temperatures may mean your tank naturally heats up beyond 81. Conversely, If you live in more northerly regions, then 81 may be acceptable to keep temps within range. There is no way that your tank was a constant degree of anything. Even management systems will show you that temps naturally fall at night and naturally rise in the day-time regardless of equipment. I think the best temperature is somewhere in the middle of a reasonably acceptable range that you will be comfortable with and allow your tank mates to thrive.

We can also consider the life-line of any tank mate. Was your tank mate caught in the ocean or tank raised? Tank raised will probably be healthier and used to more consistent water temperatures. If you're like me, you have looked into the supplier of your fish and treatment of their selections. what temperature do they keep their tanks?

Bunkinator · Jun 1, 2016

I do no believe the small increase in temp. is affecting your corals. Your SG is way out of what I would consider an acceptable range. has it always been that high? 1.023-1.026 for corals is more typical. The high SG and the increase in temp could be causing a low level of O2? if It was my tank I would slowly lower the SG with a series of 30% water changes over a 4 week period,( which will lower SG and clean up any water quality issue) replace my heaters if they were over a year old, make sure controller/ temp prob is accurate by re calibrating (most heaters have a 2-5 degree variance, test and re test my Phos, and Nitrate levels make sure my PH monitor was calibrated and that PH had not moved. Run some activated carbon to remove the toxins your Mushrooms are releasing...

watdachuck · Jun 1, 2016

I never fall below 79 or go over 82, but my SPS have never complained FWIW

Below Radar · Jun 1, 2016

I think your sg is your problem. It may also be something else. Have you ran all of your tests? (Call alk mag)

Reefboy1 · Jun 1, 2016

Your salinity is to high. Most (most not all)reef (coral)tanks try to stay around 1.025-1.026. I live is So Cal were it can get very hot and before I had a chiller my water would at times get in the high range (82+). I can tell you that when my tank stayed at 82 or above for any longer then a day there was always a negative impact on the corals. I have been reefing for about 20 years and water temp is always one of my major concerns. I would never let my temperature get to 82. Why take a chance. Like someone else said better to play it safe.
But then again some have to learn the hard way.

Reefboy1 · Jun 1, 2016

I try keep my temp from around 78-79.5

MRRBW · Jun 1, 2016

Mateo said:
hello all so I wrote acouple days ago that some of my coral is dying off and I believe it's due to water temp . All chemical levels check out fine and salinity is 1.028 which might be a bit high. My water temp was 77.1 constant before but now it's a 79.1-81.8 which I believe is to high . Some guys at he LFS told me its way to high;however , some people said its a perfect temp . I Zoas , Kenya trees , mushrooms , Duncan's and torch coral . Thoughts ? Thanks all .

I have all of those corals and they are doing great, spreading like weeds and my temp is 90% of the time at 79, rest of the time it may wander up to 80/ 80.5 tops. Salinity I keep at 1.0255 though.

freddy4130 · Jun 1, 2016

Man, all I can say is that I don't even monitor my temp. Corals are hardy as long as you allow them to be hardy. If you keep them at 78° for three years, of course they're gonna die if the temp drops two degrees for a few hours. Let them be fluid. We e all seen th videos of the reefs in Australia being exposed to air and sun for hours at low tide. That doesn't happen to corals that are babied for years upon years.

jasonrusso · Jun 1, 2016

My tank goes from 78 in the winter (on heaters) to 82 in the summer when the central air keeps the house at 72. The pumps, UV, etc make more heat than you think. They raise my temp 10 degrees and I have a 150 with a 30 gallon sump.

DSPENCE · Jun 1, 2016

When I first started doing research it was recommended to keep reef tanks at 1.025 and that 75-76 degrees is ideal. I suppose that the coral can adapt some to a couple degrees either way, but I try to maintain the temp at 76 by keeping AC set at 70 and I have a small fan that I run on a timer with the lights during the summer. (I also have Chows and they appreciate the cooler house temps) I agree with others that have mentioned an appropriate SG. I have noticed in tanks that I maintain when I've had trouble with them running warmer in the summer, the coral most affected are LPS and there's is a lot more of an issue with Cyano.

Brenth · Jun 1, 2016

Mines up to 85 and full of corals no problems the only corals I think might get upset a little is the torch and hammers with it at 85 but there still ok

scott021467 · Jun 1, 2016

I normally run mine between 78 - 80 F. All my corals and livestock are doing very good. Bulk Reef Supply has a great video about this in their series on their 160 gallon build.

Russ265 · Jun 1, 2016

not a debate at all.

82f is the optimal temp for any reef. not a degree higher.

lower is fine (76f) but not fine tuned. the lower temps do prevent bleaching. so you will need a tight ship to run optimally.

id say if your temp is 76-82 you are fine.

78 is a good beginner temp to stay at.

gcrawford · Jun 1, 2016

Dropped my temps on both systems to 77 a couple years back and they took off like I'd never seen before. Could not do that back in my metal halide days for sure.

Brenth · Jun 1, 2016

I read somewhere before that a tank that has a fluctuating temp say 78 to 83 on a Dailey basis is set up to be a little stronger tank the corals become more resilient if that makes sense? I'll try and find the thread

jonb154 · Jun 2, 2016

I agree with the sg being the problem most corals are happy as long as the parameters are stable when it changed it probably made some of the corals susceptible to something in the water, I like the small water change idea to get the sg down.

enzo · Jun 2, 2016

The size of the tank also matters if it's to small you will get a big fluctuation in temperature and your corals will stress out.

freddy4130 · Jun 2, 2016

enzo said:
The size of the tank also matters if it's to small you will get a big fluctuation in temperature and your corals will stress out.

I disagree. I've only ever had picos and nanos and the fluctuations are drastic. I top my 8 gallon off every day and the corals are fine. I had a 3 gallon reef on my desk for over a year and grew SPS and LPS in it. I think the fluctuations make your corals much more tough and hardy.