Best temp for a reef?

[GothFishKeeper]

When I was taught the basics a couple years back I was told 76°F was the only acceptable temperature for a reef tank, so that’s what I’ve kept my tank at this whole time. However, the guy who trained me at that previous LFS job was very set in his ways. I often hear 78°F is the best, so I’m thinking about slowly bumping up the set temp on my hydros system in hopes of increasing the growth rate of my corals, because warmer temps speed up metabolism in all life. But tank is healthy and happy, so I would love to hear everyone’s opinion about if there are any risks I’d be taking by doing this.

Thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Temps in the 75 to 82 range all seem to work. I target 78-80 deg F.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I keep my tanks at 75 with a one degree variance. Algae's and bad bacteria prefer warmer water

 

[GothFishKeeper]

Temps in the 75 to 82 range all seem to work. I target 78-79.

That’s what I’ve seen so far. What are your thoughts on if it’ll increase growth rate?

 

[MC Blowfish]

I keep mine at 78.

 

[Marco_99]

My theory is on the cooler side 77deg. If you live where it gets cold you understand one thing, it’s always easier to warm up than cool off. Same applies for a tank of water

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That’s what I’ve seen so far. What are your thoughts on if it’ll increase growth rate?

I am not sure that temp is the limiting factor, as opposed to nutrients, trace elements, light, or alkalinity.

I would not assume growth will increase.

 

[rtparty]

74-76 for most corals we keep. I watched a video the other day of someone fragging scolymia (I think) and they kept them at 68° since that is where they are found in the wild. Their success rate was crazy high

 

[Subsea]

I keep my tanks at 75 with a one degree variance. Algae's and bad bacteria prefer warmer water

I am all in on the cooler side: 72-75 degrees.

OP,
Yes, warmer increases metabolism for everybody including bad bacteria & algae. Also, warmer water holds less oxygen.

 

[Uncle99]

Somewhere between 77-80 I think.
The INKBIRD say 78.3, but it’s hard to get perfect reading the actual. It’s just average of three different thermometers to calibrate.
Should be close.

 

[GothFishKeeper]

Thanks everybody!! I guess I’ll be keeping it at 76° :)

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Don't change what's working!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

I target 78F

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Thanks everybody!! I guess I’ll be keeping it at 76° :)

If you haven't had any issues with your temp I would not change it!

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks everybody!! I guess I’ll be keeping it at 76° :)

All 5 my tanks run at 76. I used to run 78 but decided it was silly keeping the tanks at 78 while cooling the house in the summer. 76 is warm enough that they do double duty as radiant heaters in the winter.

 

[BryanM]

When I was taught the basics a couple years back I was told 76°F was the only acceptable temperature for a reef tank, so that’s what I’ve kept my tank at this whole time. However, the guy who trained me at that previous LFS job was very set in his ways. I often hear 78°F is the best, so I’m thinking about slowly bumping up the set temp on my hydros system in hopes of increasing the growth rate of my corals, because warmer temps speed up metabolism in all life. But tank is healthy and happy, so I would love to hear everyone’s opinion about if there are any risks I’d be taking by doing this.

Thanks!

I'm a 78 degree guy.

 

[X-37B]

77 for the winter and 77-80 in the summer.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

77 for the winter and 77-80 in the summer.

I heat, but a/c does all my tank cooling. No chiller for the fish.

 

[X-37B]

I heat, but a/c does all my tank cooling. No chiller for the fish.

Yea I run a Tunze fan for cooling and it keeps the tank at 78 when the room gets to 81 due to its location near a slider even with ac set at 74.
Its surprising how such a small fan can keep the system cooled.
This is one on my new ext 112. It is lit by a 400 watt halide and my 150 runs the same fan on an led system.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Yea I run a Tunze fan for cooling and it keeps the tank at 78 when the room gets to 81

An object lesson in the ever-amazing latent heat of evaporation!