? about reef or semi

[malibupam]

1. I'm thinking of going reef, but I really don't want to part with my panther grouper, who is 6" now and growing. I know that means no shrimp, and soon, no clowns or other little fish (though he is living with them now). Can I still have a reef tank, or semi, with the panther there? Its a 250. I don't see how he would hurt corals, but what do I know? I'm a FOWLR newby. He's a very reclusive fish. I don't know if he poops a lot, but I basically spoon feed him his krill which he swallows whole, so he isn't messy.
2. What is the max temp a reef can comfortably take, for 2 months in the summer? I need to buy a chiller. I'm already worried for summer. The tank has been up since September, and during a heat wave in October I was seeing temps of 84. I'm scared of what July will bring for the fish I have now; but how much more powerful of a chiller will I need to keep the reef guys happy?

 

[fishman830]

my tank stays at 82.. usually, but int eh winter it gets colder, like now it will be around 78

 

[bang guy]

Hi Pam,
In my opinion the Grouper is fine with all corals. As you already know it's the small animals that are in danger.
As far as temperature... if the fluctuations are small then they can handle pretty high temperatures for a week or two. Over 85+ even. The danger comes in when the temperature rapidly decends. To avoid this fluctuation keep setting your heaters higher and higher.
Instead of a chiller, have you tried pointing a couple small fans at the water surface? This will increase evaporation which will drop the water temperature.
Guy