What temperature do you use for your corals?

[Katherine Corals]

76.3-77.0 See my build thread on how I use a saltwater heat exchanger for pinpoint accuracy!

 

[Solga]

I keep both of mine at 78(ish).
Honestly, as long as the swings are not crazy, or go too far out of whack, I don't get all excited about the temperatures. The way I see it, the temps swing in the ocean, so my thought process is it can't hurt the wildlife too much. Even at swimming depths, one can physically feel a temperature difference as you go down...

 

[GARRIGA]

Woke up to My basement QT being at 74 degrees. Yikes. My main system at 74.5. Double yikes

I need a hot water heat exchange or insulation since im already running total of 1200 watts of heaters in 3 systems

Are you observing any actual issues? Perhaps that’s just perceived as too cold because the hobby has determined 78 being the most recommended yet reality isn’t that most recommended

 

[Ashish Patel]

Are you observing any actual issues? Perhaps that’s just perceived as too cold because the hobby has determined 78 being the most recommended yet reality isn’t that most recommended

Not really but for sure corals go slightly dormant until temperatures rise. Dont have many corals so dont care as much. I got temp in my 400g to 76.6 (Added a 300 watt heater in overflow, risky but most effective). My 100 coral vat temp is at 78-79degrees and in the past went down to 75, without major issue. My conclusions is there is an growing season for corals like plants amd its dependent on climate. I would run 78-80degree year round but 700 gallons of saltwater is expensive to heat

 

[GARRIGA]

Not really but for sure corals go slightly dormant until temperatures rise. Dont have many corals so dont care as much. I got temp in my 400g to 76.6 (Added a 300 watt heater in overflow, risky but most effective). My 100 coral vat temp is at 78-79degrees and in the past went down to 75, without major issue. My conclusions is there is an growing season for corals like plants amd its dependent on climate. I would run 78-80degree year round but 700 gallons of saltwater is expensive to heat

Then is seams you did experience some negative affects. Been curious about that for decades. Mantra has always been 78 and how we kept them in the 90s or at least what I recall. Although back then with lights used getting them cooler was always the main concern.

 

[c0kefree]

I will preface this by saying, i have absolutely zero idea scientifically what i’m actually doing…

I try to mimic nature as best i can WITHIN REASON. 81 the summer as the high, 76 in the dead of winter as the high.

i typically will change my inkbird bi monthly to update the temperature.

For better or worse, i just dont understand the logic behind keeping them a steady temperature would be more beneficial than the swings they’d invariably experience in nature.

i’m usually one to overcomplicate things anyway.

 

[Ashish Patel]

I will preface this by saying, i have absolutely zero idea scientifically what i’m actually doing…

I try to mimic nature as best i can WITHIN REASON. 81 the summer as the high, 76 in the dead of winter as the high.

i typically will change my inkbird bi monthly to update the temperature.

For better or worse, i just dont understand the logic behind keeping them a steady temperature would be more beneficial than the swings they’d invariably experience in nature.

i’m usually one to overcomplicate things

I will preface this by saying, i have absolutely zero idea scientifically what i’m actually doing…

I try to mimic nature as best i can WITHIN REASON. 81 the summer as the high, 76 in the dead of winter as the high.

i typically will change my inkbird bi monthly to update the temperature.

For better or worse, i just dont understand the logic behind keeping them a steady temperature would be more beneficial than the swings they’d invariably experience in nature.

i’m usually one to overcomplicate things anyway.

Nice. I think a 4 degree swing season is healthy and what nature intended. Daily i like 1-2 degrees. Corals evolved with theses swings and become hardier ime.

I havent touched my inkbird in 6 years bc im worried id skrew it up.. I got a new one 2 days ago and shocked how easy it is. 6 years ago it was not even popular for aquariums. I got the one with the metal probe and its always accurate. My new sysrem i wanted the best so i got The finnex controller and 800watt heater. Heater doesnt work and controller is trash as a temp controller, temp cord is barely 3 feet so has to be super close to water

 

[Ashish Patel]

Heres the status

 

[ReefGeezer]

My tank stays in the 77-81 F range. Fluctuations within that range are very slow.

 

[Laith]

Controller set at 26.5C (79.7F). In the summer the tank can get up to 27C. And I see no detriment to any of my corals. In fact, they grow like crazy. Two reasons for the 26.5C choice:

1. I have dove all over the world and most tropical waters that were full of healthy coral was in water that varied between 26C and 28C (and even 29C at times). I have dove in for example the Red Sea in the winter and then the temperatures are a bit lower but in general...

2. It is much easier to heat a tank than to cool it.

I have never really understood where the 25C "norm" came from. Perhaps from freshwater tropical tank keeping?

 

[Joekovar]

I'm in Florida and keep the AC at 78 during the day and 75 at night, most of the time. That keeps the tank, which hasn't had a heater for months, at 77-78 degrees.

With this extremely unusual cold snap we've had this weekend, which has kept outside temps in the 30-40s, I discovered my heater had to run almost constantly to keep the house at 75° and that's as warm as it could do.

At the start of the weekend the tank was at 77.7° and right now it's 75.7° and everything seems ok. If anything, my lobos and acans look puffier than usual.

 

[vetteguy53081]

78-79

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

I'm in Florida and keep the AC at 78 during the day and 75 at night, most of the time. That keeps the tank, which hasn't had a heater for months, at 77-78 degrees.

With this extremely unusual cold snap we've had this weekend, which has kept outside temps in the 30-40s, I discovered my heater had to run almost constantly to keep the house at 75° and that's as warm as it could do.

At the start of the weekend the tank was at 77.7° and right now it's 75.7° and everything seems ok. If anything, my lobos and acans look puffier than usual.

Kinda the same here in So. Cal, running a canopy on one tank, so it keeps above 75 year round. House is maintained at 65 with a forced air furnace and 74-78 with forced a/c in the summer (also have older dogs). I think in the past year I had the heater cycle once recently with a water change. It cycled the heaters on briefly due to the fresh saltwater being below 75f.

Now the rimless cube, the heater cycles constantly at this time of year. Figure due to being open top and near a patio door.