What is your baseline temperature?

[40B Knasty]

I am currently sitting at 78.6F for the past 5 months now. I am a big fan of "not trying to reinvent the wheel" or "if it isn't broke do not try to fix it." With that being said. What do you run your tank temp at and give a little reason why to maybe sway me to bring mine down. I was told 78F is a great baseline from a friend who has been in the hobby for 16 years. This has worked perfect for him. Seems to be perfect for me as well. I do have a fading GHA problem that is currently being put under control as we speak from a product called Bacter Clean M by Continuum. I was thinking once it is somewhat under control. With warmer water is less O² & more CO² correct? So I was thinking maybe that might help me in my battle with the GHA if I was to reduce the temp. All thoughts and opinions are welcome.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Oh man, I just read an article where it was stated that lower temp like 73-75 helped develop color and higher 76-78 increase growth. I think it was aimed towards millis, but it may apply to all SPS. Let me see if I can find it.

Having said that, I have my APEX set to on at 76.5 and off at 77.

EDIT: Found it. The numbers I gave were incorrect. He gives his about 2/3 of the way down https://reefbuilders.com/2017/05/17/acropora-millepora/

 

[DeniseAndy]

I only kick heaters on around 75 and chiller on at 80. Winter my temps stay around 75 up to 77 with lights. In summer my temps stay higher in the 79-81 range.

 

[Drauka99]

I maintain between 77.5-78.5 year round. Luckily a fan can handle the summer months as long as my AC is set decently.

 

[40B Knasty]

I have for corals a candy cane, 2 frogspawns, 2 Aussie gold torches, 11 different zoas, pulsing xenia

 

[Ty Hamatake]

W

I have for corals a candy cane, 2 frogspawns, 2 Aussie gold torches, 11 different zoas, pulsing xenia

Well then what good is that article!?

 

[40B Knasty]

W

Well then what good is that article!?

Haha well I like that it shared about the O² level for cooler waters. This could help with my algae problem if I can bring it down a degree or 2 and still get the 5-6 polyps of growth from my zoas every 2 weeks. I will be happy. Plus we are getting a little heatwave here in MA. The AC is not in yet

 

[Ty Hamatake]

Haha well I like that it shared about the O² level for cooler waters. This could help with my algae problem if I can bring it down a degree or 2 and still get the 5-6 polyps of growth from my zoas every 2 weeks. I will be happy. Plus we are getting a little heatwave here in MA. The AC is not in yet

Well, glad I could accidentally help you!

 

[hart24601]

My heater kicks on at 76 and is set at 77. Less evaporation for me to refill the ATO and with carbon dosing I don't mind slowing down bacterial growth a bit.

 

[40B Knasty]

My heater kicks on at 76 and is set at 77. Less evaporation for me to refill the ATO and with carbon dosing I don't mind slowing down bacterial growth a bit.

Good point about evaporation!
What I am getting from all this is definitely making me bring it down. Less evaporation = less salinity fluctuation = maintains the O² level higher and longer = less algae = less CO² from the algae = that smidge of a less headache and wear & tear on equipment, because of buildup from algae clogging it and also less phosphates from die off of algae.
Crazy what a little bit can do. Plus for the fish that like to swim will appreciate the more O². Also more O² for the corals to be healthier with. Also raising the pH. I like it!