Water temp.

[bdem86]

Whats everyone keep their water temp at during normal conditions? Mine is 80. After reading a few threads about the recent temp increase due to the warm weather, noticed that everyone seems to keep their temps a little lower. should i be running it a little lower?

 

[stevenp]

I think a lot of people actually keep their temps higher in the summer as it's easier to manage with the higher ambient temperature. Those with central air and/or chillers don't have to worry so much and probably just leave it set at the same temp year round.

 

[bdem86]

Right, my tanks in a good area with a lot of cross winds through some windows, so havnt noticed and rise in temp yet. But my heaters are set to keep the temp at 80 year round, so should i lower that a little or is 80 ok year round?

 

[stevenp]

Mine is set at 76 year round because I just feel it's better to run on the cooler side. I don't really have any data to back this up, it's just my preference and with 2/3hp in chillers it's no sweat to run cool even when it's well over 100* in the house (no central AC). On the other hand there are a lot of reefers who run just over 80* and their tanks look very healthy. In the end I think it's 50% personal preference and 50% circumstances.

 

[cilyjr]

My tank is kept between 78 to 80 but I have central air and an exhaust fan to vent out hot air over the tank... I have not seen above 81. My lights shut down at 82

 

[Mr. Leemr]

my system pretty much stays at 80 solid as a rock.

 

[delta]

I run mine higher in the summer than I do in the winter. The more you fight the natural temp, the more it costs to run your tank. 80 is fine.

 

[KSC]

80 is fine, mine's 84.7 right now;
http://www.ronshimek.com/salinity_temperature.html
The most rapid growth of most corals is generally around 27°C to 29°C (80.6°F to 84.2°F) (Barnes et al., 1995; Clausen and Roth, 1975; Weber and White 1976; Coles and Jokiel, 1977, 1978; Highsmith, 1979a, b; Highsmith, et al., 1983).

 

[beckbrass]

I have also read algae can grow better at higher temp as well

http://www.ehow.com/how_7793539_kill-saltwater-algae.html

 

[Bobbofin]

My tank is kept between 78 to 80 but I have central air and an exhaust fan to vent out hot air over the tank... I have not seen above 81. My lights shut down at 82

I too have central air. I keep it at 76° during the day and 79° at night. The temp on my tank is set at 78.5°. In the winter my tank stays pretty much spot on at 78.5° but in the summer it drifts up to 79-81° even with the a/c on. With corals you don't want to go over 83° if at all possible and stability is very important. It is better to run at 79-81° in the summer than to be fluctuating between 76-82°(+/-6°). Corals and fish don't like wide swings of alk, temp, etc. I stresses them out.