Non-heated aquariums

[Corey Shelk]

Hey everyone! I’m currently planning out a new nano tank and I want to run it without a heater. So the tank would be a room temperature of 72-75, maybe even slightly higher depending on if the lights heat the tank. It’s varied right now because the tank isn’t set up yet so it’s just a range of what it might be. Has anyone run tanks lower than the typically 77-79 degrees Fahrenheit? I’ll mostly be focusing on growing soft coral and possibly a yellow clown goby.

 

[ZoWhat]

Hey everyone! I’m currently planning out a new nano tank and I want to run it without a heater.

Why?

.

 

[Corey Shelk]

Why?

.

Simply to save space. I have a heater I can use but it won’t fit in the back AIO compartment and it would look very bulky in the front display area

 

[ZoWhat]

One of the major pillars of SW reefkeeping knowledge is to keep a tank right at 78° +/- 1° for stability.

So idk bruh. I'd figure smthg out

 

[Corey Shelk]

One of the major pillars of SW reefkeeping knowledge is to keep a tank right at 78° +/- 1° for stability.

So idk bruh. I'd figure smthg out

I believe that’s because some think lower temperatures slow growth of fish and corals. However plenty of the corals from the Caribbean and other fish have native temperatures ranging from around 72-78 degrees. I only plan on keeping hardy corals like softies and such. Plus liveaquaria lists the clown gobies temperature anywhere from 72-78. Can you elaborate more on how higher temperatures mean greater stability?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

well, there's no heater in the ocean, so depending what part of the world you live you, it could work. Upon googling temperature for corals, they can supposedly survive from 73 to 84 farenheit, so in theory it could work without a heater. If you do it, please report back after some time and let us know how it works out, it would be an interesting experiment.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Heat pads and fans...

How big of a nano? I am sure you can fit a heater in there if you wanted though

 

[Corey Shelk]

well, there's no heater in the ocean, so depending what part of the world you live you, it could work. Upon googling temperature for corals, they can supposedly survive from 73 to 84 farenheit, so in theory it could work without a heater. If you do it, please report back after some time and let us know how it works out, it would be an interesting experiment.

That’s my theory. I don’t see why tanks would work at the lower range of temperatures

 

[Corey Shelk]

Heat pads and fans...

How big of a nano? I am sure you can fit a heater in there if you wanted though

It’s a 6 gallon, I could fit it. I just don’t want to if it isn’t necessary

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

I believe that’s because some think lower temperatures slow growth of fish and corals. However plenty of the corals from the Caribbean and other fish have native temperatures ranging from around 72-78 degrees. I only plan on keeping hardy corals like softies and such. Plus liveaquaria lists the clown gobies temperature anywhere from 72-78. Can you elaborate more on how higher temperatures mean greater stability?

What region are your corals coming from. I suggest you look up average water temps for various areas. Some run 81-82 (I think that was Indonesia I can’t remember) average so water that cold will kill them

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

well, there's no heater in the ocean, so depending what part of the world you live you, it could work. Upon googling temperature for corals, they can supposedly survive from 73 to 84 farenheit, so in theory it could work without a heater. If you do it, please report back after some time and let us know how it works out, it would be an interesting experiment.

You have to take into account the duration of those temperatures. Plants can handle near freezing temps for a short time too long and they die. Being able to survive isn’t the same as thriving. And surviving long term is the overall goal.

 

[srobertb]

The short answer is yes. Things can adapt and survive.

the ethical answer is no. Go find a heater. Look on Amazon. They make all shapes and sizes.

 

[Corey Shelk]

What region are your corals coming from. I suggest you look up average water temps for various areas. Some run 81-82 (I think that was Indonesia I can’t remember) average so water that cold will kill them

I haven’t figured out which corals I’ll get yet. Right now I’m just planning. It definitely won’t have any SPS though

 

[Corey Shelk]

The short answer is yes. Things can adapt and survive.

the ethical answer is no. Go find a heater. Look on Amazon. They make all shapes and sizes.

I have a heater. I’m just genuinely curious why running a tank 72-75, probably closer to 75 wouldn’t be ethical. Simply because the standard is around 78. Deeper water tanks are run cooler and I’ve seen evidence of other tanks also run anywhere from 72-75 with no adverse effects. So I’m just curious why this would be wrong?

 

[Joe31415]

Go find a heater. Look on Amazon. They make all shapes and sizes.

And don't overlook getting two undersized heaters. It's a very common practice even when space isn't an issue, but it's even more common when you don't have enough space.

I’m just genuinely curious why running a tank 72-75, probably closer to 75 wouldn’t be ethical. Simply because the standard is around 78.

It would be unethical because you're going to kill your fish.
You also indicated that the tank will be 72-75, maybe warmer. Having your tank fluctuate up and down by 4 or 5 degrees everyday might not be appreciated by the fish. Even if they can survive in such a low temp, they'd likely do better if it was stable. So having it rise all day while you're at work, then drop back down when you get home and turn on the AC, the go back up tomorrow (or the opposite in winter when you're running the heat) might not be good for them either.

 

[srobertb]

You don’t say what you want to keep…

People keep Anthias in tanks bathed in 400 PAR because they’re pretty….

No ethical debates here. Best practices are around 78. Go cooler, go warmer, do your thing.

 

[Corey Shelk]

And don't overlook getting two undersized heaters. It's a very common practice even when space isn't an issue, but it's even more common when you don't have enough space.

It would be unethical because you're going to kill your fish.
You also indicated that the tank will be 72-75, maybe warmer. Having your tank fluctuate up and down by 4 or 5 degrees everyday might not be appreciated by the fish. Even if they can survive in such a low temp, they'd likely do better if it was stable. So having it rise all day while you're at work, then drop back down when you get home and turn on the AC, the go back up tomorrow (or the opposite in winter when you're running the heat) might not be good for them either.

Sorry I don’t think I was being clear. I meant the tank will most likely be running 74-75 not 72-73. Also cooler temperatures wouldn’t kill the fish. Clown gobies have a native range of anywhere from 72-80 degrees. My tank will not be run at 70 degrees or less

 

[Corey Shelk]

You don’t say what you want to keep…

People keep Anthias in tanks bathed in 400 PAR because they’re pretty….

No ethical debates here. Best practices are around 78. Go cooler, go warmer, do your thing.

That’s because other than a clown goby I don’t know what corals I’ll keep. There won’t be anything else in there besides those things.

 

[Sump Crab]

That’s my theory. I don’t see why tanks would work at the lower range of temperatures

I ran my tanks at 76 for around 10 years with no issues.

Ppl around here don’t realize that the ocean is not a perfectly controlled space. Many of our corals, and especially our fish can thrive in a variety of habitats that are less than perfect.

That being said I would only attempt a tank without a heater if my temp swings within the home were relatively minor and happened over a fairly long period of time. Its rapid and constant change that may prove detrimental.

 

[Corey Shelk]

Sorry if I sound pigheaded and stubborn. I truly do appreciate all of the responses and take them into consideration. I’m just looking for those with experience at lower temperatures or the science behind it, rather than a simple no with no context or evidence in support. For example, I know lower temperatures have a higher dissolved oxygen content. So would this negatively impact aquatic life or reef chemistry? I know cooler temperatures slow growth rates of coral and fish; however, this isn’t to a detrimental effect and can actually be beneficial in smaller tanks because it means less time spent fragging and rearranging