reef temperature???

[johny99]

The temperature in my 55gal reef has been ranging from 78-82 but recently jumped to 84.
What range should I keep my reef? Everything seems to be doing ok, but need a little help so i dont kill anything.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

78 is the consensus shouldn't vary more than a degree or two, and 84 is too high. I would say 76-79 is ideal.

 

[gotfish]

There is no consensus. Studies on the ocean have shown temps ranging from 74-85 in the same day. Some areas in the world's oceans have been measured at 92 degrees. 84 over a prolonged length of time may not be good, but if you're going from 78-82 in a 24 hour period with a spike up to 84, don't freak out. Anything dead yet? Being that you didn't say anything about a dying fish, I doubt it.

Quite a bit really depends on the fish and corals you have as well. If most of your fish are from the tropics, i.e. fiji, indo-pacific area, those temps are actually a bit cool for them. If nothing looks stressed and they aren't at the surface gulping for air, relax. If it starts to climb and stay in the 82-84 range and spikes to say 86, then maybe it's time to throw a fan on the tank.

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

What equipment do you use? heater, lights? That much variance on the west side of Washington is kinda nuts, i could see if you lived in FL. Is your ambient temperature fairly steady? While it may not be causing any problems now it is still early in the summer and you could be getting close to 90 degrees in your tank as the temperature outside rises. I'm more curious about what type of heater and lighting you have though as I'm sure your room temperature isn't anywhere near 84 degrees in Seattle.

When i say consensus, most people will say 78 degrees. Because well it's kinda in the middle, and it works for most people and leaves overhead in-case you do have some temperature fluctuations in the upward direction. While the temperature varies all over the ocean we can't really replicate that pattern and if you did you will most likely make something in your system unhappy so we choose something in the middle that will most likely appease both crowds.

 

[gotfish]

My guess would be a second or third story apartment. I know my upstairs is at least a good 5 degrees hotter then my downstairs.

On my 29g biocube, even during the winter, temps would stay around 80 without a heater. During the summer, I had temps at 85 during the day. I never did lose any fish or coral. Johny, if you're worried about it cause you see signs of stress, get yourself a little fan from Target or Walmart and blow a little air over the water.

 

[barrierreefcf]

While some tanks do ok at 84 this is high enough to kill/stress sps, clams, and anemones (usually the first to show signs of heat stress) in many situations. It can also lead to faster algae growth. You may not see problems right away but why take the chance? I agree with 76-79. Leaves a little safety net on either side. As hard as we try, we will never completely recreate wild reefs and our aquariums cannot always tolerate temperatures that high. Again...some inhabitants can handle the 80's (not disputing it)but my preference would be lower. We always set our chillers at 77 with a +2 variance. Temp never goes over 79.

 

[johny99]

What equipment do you use? heater, lights? That much variance on the west side of Washington is kinda nuts, i could see if you lived in FL. Is your ambient temperature fairly steady? While it may not be causing any problems now it is still early in the summer and you could be getting close to 90 degrees in your tank as the temperature outside rises. I'm more curious about what type of heater and lighting you have though as I'm sure your room temperature isn't anywhere near 84 degrees in Seattle.

When i say consensus, most people will say 78 degrees. Because well it's kinda in the middle, and it works for most people and leaves overhead in-case you do have some temperature fluctuations in the upward direction. While the temperature varies all over the ocean we can't really replicate that pattern and if you did you will most likely make something in your system unhappy so we choose something in the middle that will most likely appease both crowds.

WE use T5 lighting but it sits directly on top of the tank. I will add a fan and lift the light 3-4" off of the tank.

thanks

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Also make sure you get a good heater like a Stealth and place it in a high flow area your temperatures should be rock solid then. I had insane fluctuations in my tank when the heater wasn't in a high flow location. My tanks typically don't vary more than 1 degree either up or down topping out at 79 and lower at 77.

 

[johny99]

Also make sure you get a good heater like a Stealth and place it in a high flow area your temperatures should be rock solid then. I had insane fluctuations in my tank when the heater wasn't in a high flow location. My tanks typically don't vary more than 1 degree either up or down topping out at 79 and lower at 77.

Thanks, we use a stealth 250 in the tank. I think I just need to move the lights up and get a small fan. Thanks for all your help to everyone.

 

[burning2nd]

i run a flat 80.0

I have 2 heaters and a fan.

heater one (larger watt) 79.5-off at 80.0
heater two (smaller watt) 79.7-off at 80.2
cooling fan On at 80.5 off at79.5

right now its 8Am room temp is 72 and 62% the tank is 79.7-8 both heaters are off,


maintaining a steady temp is super important, people say of the ocean gets way hotter, and way colder bla bla bla... that is not a good justification for poor management.

a controller will help you but staggering 2 smaller heaters rather then one large one, is a little safer IMO,

when you get 2 know your tank well. you will be able to predict temp swings according to the room/house temp and the ambient temp out side,

for a few years i had a fan on a timmer to turn on about 2pm when the sun was hottest on the front of the house,