I live in Atlanta, GA and we keep our house at a constant 69F year round, 4500sqft home and during the summer our electric bill doesn’t get higher than $300/month.
Hmmm... you are suggesting evidence-based reason over marketing? There are numerous anecdotes and growers of SPS in particular on this forumn referencing more rapid growth with 26.7-27 temperatures. I would love to see a study with markers of growth in across a range of temperature with all other parameters equal.According to this article our world reefs operate at a wider range then preached dogma. Perhaps lower temps should be a thing.
Spoke with an individual who’s been in the industry several decades and keeps his reef tanks closer to 70 than 78. Mentioned that in the hottest reefs the temp is considerably cooler at depths most fish and coral found. Outside of shallows. The temp doesn’t get near 76. More oxygen. Plus he mentioned less chance of finding pathogens such as Ich. He’s dove reefs around the world and speaking first hand.
Removing the heater from the equation might work in most homes where room temp 69 to 72 such as mine.
In what types of water do corals live?
Because of strict environmental restrictions, coral reefs generally are confined to tropical and semi-tropical watersoceanservice.noaa.gov
I don't know the right temps for aquariums. But, I've been diving reefs for 30 years. 95% of corals/fish are found shallower than 100 ft. Temps at the surface are rarely different than at 100 ft. other than thermoclines. But, depending on the time of year, reef temps can vary between low/mid 70s to mid/high 80s. Quite the range.
Yeah, a lot of species with larval positive phototaxis would have fry near the surface.
Yeah, diurnal temperature drops are expected:
Thats brutal....
Yeah, I don't think they've lost the ability to adapt, I would think they just need time to adapt - in the wild, they're adapted to the constantly fluctuating parameters (temperature, light, nutrients, etc.), but the changes are usually relatively small and gradual, so they have time to adapt as they change; in our aquariums, the changes tend to be very rapid and drastic (for examples, a heater malfunctioning and staying off or on could swing the temperature by a very large amount in just a few hours, or switching out a light could change the spectrum and PAR received in an instant permanently).
How long have you been running it this way?my house is under major reconstruction, with no hvac currently in operation, so my reef tanks are hitting between 72-83 fairly regularly with no issues and not skipping a beat. I keep them at 78 normally
My guess: 76-78 is about in the middle of the range the article at the beginning cites. Not stressing anything by being too hot or too cold, a little wriggle room for sensor error, and as a lot of folks keep fish and corals from multiple regions with slightly different temperatures it should fall within the envelope many of these creatures are adapted to.
I snorkelled in the GBR a few years ago and it was amazing, just seeing all the different corals ranging from a couple metres below the water to 10+ metres below blew my mind!
I equate stability to gradual change. Obviously going from 80 to 73 in 15 minutes different than 12hours. Daily atmospheric cycles have the highest temps just before sundown and lowest temp before sunrise. Stands to reason ocean waters would see similar cycles with shallows being the most affected in not just temperatures but also salinity swings. Perhaps focusing on shallow water species best suited to less focus on such a narrow near 78 home range. Clams know to be out of water at low tide therefore imagine the temperature variations those endure daily.
True, that also applies to Alk and Ph.
Idk if your asking this as well but your QT for sure should be very close to 78. Especially if you are treating any parasites the protocols are designed for how they respond around 78 degrees.
Better growth doesn’t equate to better for the organism. Steroids make muscles bigger, for example.
Those drastic changes what I’m trying to avoid which would happen with thermostat stuck and heater quickly raising tank temperature vs the gradual increase/decrease should overall power fail. Bigger the tank. Less gradual that change occurs. Lower the temperature in summer the more cushion and higher the temp in winter more cushion.
Being we have south near shore currents and then there’s the north Gulf Stream. Are temps different as you dive deeper? Many don’t realize there are different currents beneath the surface and any who have deep water fished would soon realize that.
That’s a good analogy. Corals can live in 5 dkh if dropped gradually or as high 14 I’ve seen mentioned. pH as low 7.8 or high as 8.5 and higher on both for those seeking expedited growth yet not all agree faster is better. 7/8.3 respectively likely best for those just trying to be closer to nature
My QT will be at 84 to accelerate the life cycle of pathogens. Long term observation will match tank parameters as much as possible in all areas. Makes pluck and drop easier when time comes.
