Water temp for my reef

[easygoer2]

Thanks guys for all the input. The new chiller has a auto digital temp control system. The built-in thermostat will turn itself on/off within +/- 1 degree. I'll set it at 79 degrees. So it will very between 78-80 degrees. This is the Arctica chiller. So far I like it.
easygoer2

 

[investigator1]

If you have any form of xenia in your tank then it must not get over 82 degrees. Anything at that or higher and it will break apart.

 

[BobCReef]

Well i'm glad to hear everyone has a day night temp swing. I was a little worried that i had a swing from 78 before lights on in the morning to 82 before lights out at night. sounds like this is the norm

 

[GSchiemer]

Well i'm glad to hear everyone has a day night temp swing. I was a little worried that i had a swing from 78 before lights on in the morning to 82 before lights out at night. sounds like this is the norm

FWIW, I too have a swing of temperature from 78 to 82 in my reef aquarium during the summer months. It doesn't appear to cause any problems, but it certainly isn't "normal" compared to natural reefs and probably not ideal. On many Caribbean reefs, that temperature shift represents the difference between the winter and summer averages and takes place over a period of six months!

Greg Schiemer

 

[npaden]

I've come to the realization that the temperature people keep their tanks at is more of a personal preference thing than anything based on facts. Much like lighting wattage and color.

When someone asks me what lighting they should get, I always answer them with a question. "What do you plan on keeping?" Perhaps the right answer to someone asking the question of what temperature should I keep my tank at is the same question.

There has been quite a bit of mythinformation presented by several of the previous posters. Most is strictly anectodal and not based on any studies. There are to many things going on in our little glass boxes to simply say that a temperature swing from 78 to 82 degrees killed our fish, is very difficult to actually determine why the fish actually died and to pin in soley on temperature is not accurate. Even personal references to actual diving experiences doesn't tell a complete picture.

If you really are concerned with the facts you might want to read this article.

http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/d_ ... 11898.html

There are graphs to show various temperature fluctuations on the GBR in both summer and winter.

Here is a quote out of the article:

The difference between the reef flat and reef slope data is also quite distinct, with the exception of the Kelso Reef data. The largest temperature variation is found on the reef flat, with the same period of variation occuring on the reef slope, but the magnitude has just been reduced. This is mainly due to the closer proximity to the surface, and the solar energy recieved from the sun causing more heating of the water body because it is distributed over a smaller water volume. In the case of Kelso Reef, located on the mid continental shelf, there is very little difference between the reef flat and reef slope temperatures and the cycle each follows. The localised heating of the water in the shallow water at Kelso Reef is off set by the input, displacement by, and mixing of deep ocean water currents, so that very little difference appears.

Seasonal variations in the daily temperature variation also is evident. During summer the highest temperature difference is higher than winter, 2.2oC to 2.5oC for Magnetic Island, 1.4oC to 1.2oC for Myrmidon Reef, and 0.6oC to 0.5oC for Kelso Reef. The seasonal variation in average temperature, as previously discussed, can also be see for all of the reefs.

Note that the temperatures noted are in Celcius. Converting to Farenheit you would have daily temperature swings on 5 to 6 degrees on the reef with the highest variance. If you look at the graphs there was a swing over a 2 day period on that same reef from 33C to 28C or a drop of 11 degrees Farenheit. Greg pointed out that the largest variations are in the reef flat areas, but I believe he is incorrect in that the reef slope area still experiences varations of 1 to 2 degrees Farenheit on a daily basis.

The GBR is also known as one of the more stable reefs with relatively low fluctuations compared to many reefs.

What does this mean to your tank? Beats me! I know that I personally feel that some temperature variation is actually a good thing for my tank. I think that keeping your tank at a constant temperature 24/7 365 may be bad for your corals because it is not natural and also they may become acustomed to this and if you do have a spike one way or the other they might not be able to handle it.

I really feel that seasonal variations is something that is widely overlooked and can be accomplished very easily. My tank temperature varies with the seasons. In the winter it runs 78 - 81 and in the summer it runs 80 - 83.

FWIW, Nathan