Best Temp for your Reef

[Zero Nitrates]

Is there any truth to running lower temps helps reduce nuisance algae?

 

[BlueCursor]

My temp stays within 0.1 degree all day and night. My sump is in the basement which isn't heated as much, I have LED lighting, and never have a build up of heat in the winter. In the summer, I use a chiller and again my temp stays within 0.1 degree all day and night. The only difference is I have my chiller set 0.5 degree higher than my heater so the two never are on at the same time.

I keep 78.5 in winter and 79 in summer. I boosted this to 81.5 a few months ago and noticed a growth spurt with some corals. I also notice my photynthetic gorgonian hated the higher temp and died off some. I'm back to my original temps now.

 

[BlueCursor]

Is there any truth to running lower temps helps reduce nuisance algae?

The difference is about the same as the impact to fish and coral growth. Lower is slower, but not by much and you still have algae, it just grows slower.

 

[ReefingwithO]

It's winter, why is your tank so warm? 84°?

I'm in NYC in an apartment and my tank gets to 80 81 in the winter months. My heater barely gets any use in the winter and my chiller gets a lot of use in the summer.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I like to keep min around 78. Consistency is more important than anything!

 

[JMC1018]

77-78 year round.

 

[slipknotgrrl83]

Mine stays between 78.5 and 79.5, although in the summer it may get up to 80

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Added a poll!

 

[Preme]

I try my best to keep mine around 77F - 78F.

 

[haanstang]

I have mine set to avenge 78 degrees.
on at 77.7
off at 78.3
Controlled by Apex
You could do some research of your fish and invertebrates and see what every range is and average every range. Then take those numbers and average that and make that your temp goal.

 

[WhiskeyCoffee]

My average tank temperature is 76.3

 

[steveaus10]

72 to 73 year round

 

[FLAdaboy]

I try for 72-74 and everything loves it.

 

[Prolude006]

Very interested in the Temp logic for Reef tanks. Coming from freshwater planted tanks I am curious if the same natural state logic would follow?
My tanks stay around 78 during the day with a natural drop of max 5 degrees at night, matching the light cycle.
I would think it would be beneficial to provide a natural current in the tank that simulates warm and cold currents but not sure how that would best be achieved in a small closed environment. Maybe short bursts of chiller at random times would help?

Saving up to purchase the new Reefer Peninsula to go in our house which just started being built. I figured why build a wall when you can just put in a separation tank. I wonder how many walls we really need? =;)

 

[sa6hir]

I try for 72-74 and everything loves it.

72 to 73 year round

There was me thinking oh boy I must be doing something wrong glad to see I'm not alone on the 72 mark. Like I've mentioned about while in Egypt the sea temperature was also 72 at that time of year. So I'm guessing anything from 70-86 is fine well for my reef anyway because even though I try to keep it pretty low in summer it shots up to 86.

 

[steveaus10]

could work I suppose I have no chiller I probably get a little of that effect by having my filtration in my basement and it stays 0 to 15 degrees cooler down there as water is returned to tank and dispersed it would naturally due to science drop to bottom of tank and slowly rise as warmed I personally have checked and know to be true

 

[Slack Tide Reef]

I run 80-82. I would like it lower but for some reason my ranco controller (which controls my fan) gives an error for any other temp than 82.

 

[steveaus10]

I use gravity pretty much to feed skimmer and the whole system return pump from downstairs is only mechanical device in sump have two circulation powerheads in DT

 

[steveaus10]

minimal heat required here home temp at 70 desired tank temp is 72 circulated water in sump 5 to 7 degrees cooler in my basement summer temp 72 in home no heater required

 

[steveaus10]

always have that natural fall of cooler return water in tank and rise as it warms a few degrees works for me anyway