Tank Temp.

[cowboyswife]

To settle a dispute, what temperature is ideal for a reef tank? 78-81, right?

[Lpabsolute]

Basically, but you want it to stay the same all the time. You don't want it constantally moving up and down...

[WaterKeeper]

Hey Cowgirl,

Anything in that range is fine. You still trying to hold things down for your Cowboy?:p

[cowboyswife]

Waterkeeper, youre awesome :D

[lifesworksataol]

i think 76 to 77 is a perfect temp for a reef - anyone else agree? if you can get it there - its the most ideal temp

[mnestroy]

lifesworksataol: I don't think u'll find the 'ideal' temp... there are so many factors, each fish, invert you have in your tank might come from a different temp climent in the real world. I had a discusion on long time back becuase if you go on all the site that sell live stock they all suggest mid 70's for the temps...

However almost everyone on this site will shoot for 80 +/- 2degrees.

Keeping it between 76-83 is a pretty safe range, the key to sucess is not allowing it to fluxuate to much.

[michaeldaly]

I run my reef a little higher than most at around 85 - 85 in summer, and I have never had any problems, corals will grow faster in the warmer water.

[WaterKeeper]

Eighty degrees is the most commonly used temperature used by most reefers. The Japanese tend to run things a bit warmer with around 82 being the average there. I usually recommend that one should not keep a tank above 85. Not that it is a problem but it is flirting with danger should your air conditioner break down on a hot summers day. Things start going downhill rapidly when temps reach around 91.

[greenbean36191]

"Ideally," my tank stays between 78 and 86. :)

[reefworm]

too bad the search function is down - a few years back there was a regular range war over the "ideal temp" for a reef tank. The discussion came down to ranges in the low 80s as the most appropriate, but I agree that stability is the most critical issue within reasonable ranges, say 78-85. As long as you're in that range and don't have temp swings I wouldn't stress over it. Always good to ask, however. ;)

[tunaluver]

im having a heck of a time keeping my temp stable after the lights are on a few hours the temp starts to climb. my chiller can take it down to about whatever i want at night but cant keep up after the lights been on a few hours

[WaterKeeper]

Hi Tuna,

It sounds like you may be having an air flow problem under your hood. You might consider getting a higher output fan to draw off all that lamp heat. It will also aid in evaporative cooling.

[chrisqueenz]

78-82 degrees, as long as it stays constant most of the time...

[tunaluver]

yeah im thinking about cutting away some of my hood ive tried several different fans now and cant seem to manage it so maybe some venting will help

[greenbean36191]

Why would it be important to keep a stable temperature? I know it's repeated almost universally in the hobby, and in quite a few books, but you won't find much good justification for it outside of the hobby. In fact you'll find mostly the opposite.

[WaterKeeper]

I've always said stable is better but I tend to forget that many reef fish move higher and lower in the water column and experience rather diverse temperature gradiants. It may be true that we harp too much on keeping stable temps.

[L and L]

I think the temperature fluctuations are more associated with cryptocaryon irritans "ich" and the fishes health.

Sprung and Delbeek say that reef aquariums should be between 70-80^F. Ideally, 74-76^F.

Mine is 78-80^F right now.

[clevername]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9385035#post9385035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
I've always said stable is better but I tend to forget that many reef fish move higher and lower in the water column and experience rather diverse temperature gradiants. It may be true that we harp too much on keeping stable temps.

If you have no waterflow this is true......what kind of tank are you running?

[WaterKeeper]

I was talking about the natural reef in the Ocean; not a tank.

[clevername]

ah

[greenbean36191]

I think the temperature fluctuations are more associated with cryptocaryon irritans "ich" and the fishes health.
I know Sprung and Delbeek say this and so does Calfo, (among others I'm sure), but I've never seen any peer reviewed articles showing that normal daily fluctuations cause either stress or increased levels of disease in reef fish.

I tend to forget that many reef fish move higher and lower in the water column and experience rather diverse temperature gradiants.
They don't even have to move to see them.

[SgJsg35]

80.9

[Fraggle Rock2]

According to Randy Holmes-Farley, our chemistry super hero - 76C to 83C

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

[L and L]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9386801#post9386801 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by greenbean36191
I know Sprung and Delbeek say this and so does Calfo, (among others I'm sure), but I've never seen any peer reviewed articles showing that normal daily fluctuations cause either stress or increased levels of disease in reef fish.

Well, there you go... that can be your thesis. ;)

[returnofsid]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9388182#post9388182 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fraggle Rock2
According to Randy Holmes-Farley, our chemistry super hero - 76C to 83C

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php



Almost correct, I think it should read 76F to 83F.