Hey everyone! Long post ahead with questions that I'm curious about but understand we might not have any solid answers for just yet in the hobby. I apologize in advance.
So, I've been learning a bit about natural ocean temps that various fish live in and comparing that to the temperatures most aquarists keep their tanks at, and it has left me with a couple of questions that I'm looking for input on from some more experienced aquarists.
First, would intentional daily temperature swings (such as 78-74 F, 80-73 F or 82-72 F) to mimic natural daily temperature cycles have a negative effect on livestock (Fish, inverts, corals, etc.) in a tank? If so, why? If not, how extreme could they be before they begin having negative effects on the average reef tank? (i.e. would a temp swing from 78-74 F be okay, but a swing from 82-72 F cause problems? What about from 80-50 F as an extreme example?)
Second, would slow temperature changes over a long period of time to better mimic natural seasonal patterns cause problems in aquaria, and if so, why? (For example, would it be beneficial or problematic or just neutral to slowly lower the temp in an aquarium from 80 F daily to 76 F daily [or something like that] to mimic going from summer to fall?) *[I know with goldfish, for example, the fish digest food differently at different temperatures, so you need to adjust your feeding schedule to account for different temperatures. Would something like this be the case for marine fish as well or not?]
Third, I know it was mentioned in the breeding of certain sea urchin species (I think it was Tuxedo Urchins) that temperature "shock" was a key to inducing spawning in the urchins. What are some other species where this does or may apply? Would this be a sudden drastic change in temperature, or would it be a slower, steadier change?
Fourth and last, if it is safe/beneficial to let the daily temperatures fluctuate, would fish species that are considered cold-water (such as flashlight fish, for example) be able to thrive in a setup utilizing those temperature fluctuations? (i.e. would cold-water/nocturnal "cold-water" fish that usually struggle in normal reef tanks be able to thrive in a tank with daily temperature swings that takes the nighttime temperature back down to or even slightly below their recommended aquarium temperatures? For flashlight fish, pineapple/pinecone fish, and other bioluminescent species, would these temperature swings have a negative or positive impact on their bioluminescent bacteria species?)
*[I know flashlight fish can suffer and their bacteria can die off if they are kept at too high of temperatures for extended durations, but would a brief or even moderate length of time above the recommended temperatures have a noticeable impact?]
So, I've been learning a bit about natural ocean temps that various fish live in and comparing that to the temperatures most aquarists keep their tanks at, and it has left me with a couple of questions that I'm looking for input on from some more experienced aquarists.
First, would intentional daily temperature swings (such as 78-74 F, 80-73 F or 82-72 F) to mimic natural daily temperature cycles have a negative effect on livestock (Fish, inverts, corals, etc.) in a tank? If so, why? If not, how extreme could they be before they begin having negative effects on the average reef tank? (i.e. would a temp swing from 78-74 F be okay, but a swing from 82-72 F cause problems? What about from 80-50 F as an extreme example?)
Second, would slow temperature changes over a long period of time to better mimic natural seasonal patterns cause problems in aquaria, and if so, why? (For example, would it be beneficial or problematic or just neutral to slowly lower the temp in an aquarium from 80 F daily to 76 F daily [or something like that] to mimic going from summer to fall?) *[I know with goldfish, for example, the fish digest food differently at different temperatures, so you need to adjust your feeding schedule to account for different temperatures. Would something like this be the case for marine fish as well or not?]
Third, I know it was mentioned in the breeding of certain sea urchin species (I think it was Tuxedo Urchins) that temperature "shock" was a key to inducing spawning in the urchins. What are some other species where this does or may apply? Would this be a sudden drastic change in temperature, or would it be a slower, steadier change?
Fourth and last, if it is safe/beneficial to let the daily temperatures fluctuate, would fish species that are considered cold-water (such as flashlight fish, for example) be able to thrive in a setup utilizing those temperature fluctuations? (i.e. would cold-water/nocturnal "cold-water" fish that usually struggle in normal reef tanks be able to thrive in a tank with daily temperature swings that takes the nighttime temperature back down to or even slightly below their recommended aquarium temperatures? For flashlight fish, pineapple/pinecone fish, and other bioluminescent species, would these temperature swings have a negative or positive impact on their bioluminescent bacteria species?)
*[I know flashlight fish can suffer and their bacteria can die off if they are kept at too high of temperatures for extended durations, but would a brief or even moderate length of time above the recommended temperatures have a noticeable impact?]