Does anyone import natural seasonal temps to their controller?

[inktomi]

Hi -

I was looking at replicating natural water a little more closely and pulled some several-year average water temperatures from the Australian Institute of Marine Science site (http://data.aims.gov.au/aimsrtds/yearlytrends.xhtml) -- downloaded and formatted data here -- https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1clx3E3wWtevn4NpnWoyMkywOpfWbO5wXaN-ckxvfBEc/edit?usp=sharing

I was really surprised to see that the average temperature on this reef ranges from 74 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Do any of you actually vary your tank this much throughout the year? I think I'd need a chiller to keep my tank at the lower temperatures around 74, and then during the summer the heater would probably run almost constantly keeping it at 84 since my house is never even close to that.

It seems like it would be good to vary the temperature with the seasons, but this seems like it's way different than how we keep our tanks.

I summarized the data here as well, in case the google docs sheet isn't working.

01-Jan
28.72866938 C
83.71160488 F

01-Feb
29.35211968 C
84.83381542 F

01-Mar
28.93198194 C
84.0775675 F

01-Apr
28.20665182 C
82.77197328 F

01-May
26.94932969 C
80.50879344 F

01-Jun
25.43024977 C
77.77444958 F

01-Jul
24.09493079 C
75.37087542 F

01-Aug
23.80882881 C
74.85589186 F

01-Sep
24.26557021 C
75.67802637 F

01-Oct
25.23037438 C
77.41467388 F

01-Nov
26.60154 C
79.882772 F

01-Dec
27.68268539 C
81.8288337 F

 

[EmdeReef]

I try to keep a stable temperature. Our tanks aren’t like the ocean and the stress of temp changes gets amplified in a small closed system. Keep in mind that for example 74 average in the ocean is only applicable to the spot and the immediate surrounding where the measurement is taken. There are pretty substantial oscillations between even small areas, where for example a warmer current may pass - all of that will affect what kind of life is supported in which area.

That said I don’t use a chiller and I undersize my heaters and my ~78 can become 80 in the summer or ~76 in the winter when I’m not home or the window is open.

2 things to consider before doing it 1) fish and coral you keep may be adapted to a different range whether genetically or in captivity; 2) monthly oscillations are likely to be too stressful, I’d start with quarterly or seasonal where perhaps you let your tank temp drop or increase a few degrees.

 

[Fourstars]

I would think You would only worry about this if you were trying to spawn your fish or corals. Otherwise, not be sure what the benefit would be. I do raise my temp in the summer when it's warm out but mainly so there is less fluctuation.

 

[trido]

I run mine near 79 in the winter and 77 in the summer. Hotter in the winter so I have more time for tank temps to drop if the power goes out or a heater fails. Cooler in the summer so the tank isn't on the verge of being too hot all the time allowing for more heat up before the tank chiller kicks on.

74 is too cold and 84 is far too hot IMO.

 

[inktomi]

Yea, I do agree with much of the above. I keep my tank between 77 and 80 year round, depending on the season and everything has been fine. I also agree that this is probably more important if you're trying to spawn your fish or corals -- but then again, if things are breeding, doesn't that indicate good health?

I agree regarding 74 and 84 seeming like extremes - that's partially why I wanted to post this here.. it seems like it's such a departure from where most of us keep things. These temperatures that I reported are, at least, 7 year averages (most 10 year) - so shouldn't be too influenced by a single warm month/etc.

 

[Fourstars]

It's an interesting question. I do know that the reef temps not only fluctuates seasonally but daily depending if there is upwelling from below. I think the spawning is more of a cycle set off by temp and the full moon.

 

[Mark Gray]

Interesting my current tank versus this much or more. Especially in the summer. But I will mostlikly add a chiller on my new tank

 

[powers2001]

See this stickied thread in the Aquarium Controllers forum.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/neptune-apex-seasonal-lighting-table-for-ecotech-xr-series.208315/

 

[Lasse]

There is a function in P4 and P3 (GHL) that allow you to have a dynamic nominal set point.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[ca1ore]

What if you keep fish and corals from different locales - you know, like 99% of the reefers do LOL? Makes trying to replicate the seasonal changes from just one reef mostly pointless (unless of course, every natural reef has the exact same ranges - which I doubt). I vary the temperature of my tank only in that I heat it to 77/78 in the cold months and cool it to 80/81 in the hot months.

 

[inktomi]

A very good point ca1ore. Most of us have mixed locality reefs, though I'm sure there are a few people with mostly Australian corals (for instance). I'm mostly just considering doing more research into seasonal changes on reefs and then perhaps averaging some locations together. As also pointed out, a single data source - even averaged over 10 years - will only be valid if you have coral from that one source.

Food for thought though!

 

[Cory]

Im sure all reefs fluctuate temperatures. Differing locations if coral in your tank is unimportant, all would be in temp swing zones.

 

[Newb73]

79 to 80.5 in winter.

77.5 in summer but tank will run up to 82 or 83 so heater doesnt even run.

I add a cooling fan from june through sept set to come on at 83.

 

[inktomi]

Yea, I agree long term stability is more important given the wide variety of corals we keep. Not many biotope tanks out there.