Frozen Reef Tank

[califishdude]

I have been Reefing for about 15 years and never had this problem. In northern California our morning lows are running about 0-10 degrees to a high 30 degrees before going down again. I woke up and my temperature read 43 degrees. All my corals were closed and the fish were hiding. One thing I thought was wierd were that my cleaner shrimp and coral shrimp played around the tank the entire time. Safe to say i raised the temperature about slowly and two days later it is at a whopping 78. I installed another heater and everything is great once again. Has anyone else had the same problem?

 

[novahobbies]

I can safely say that I have NEVER had that problem. But....take a look at where I live.

 

[socalnano24]

I started getting worried when my 5.5 pico tank dropped to 69 over night, when it was about 38 outside down here. (Subsequently decided it was time to start heating my apartment), now its staying around 74.
I guess it is good to know that they can withstand a drop if it happens slowly? Do you know how long it took for your tank to drop from its normal temp? What was your average temp previously?

 

[garick]

Some shrimp are from cooler waters so that might be why they seemed to enjoy it. Much like the peppermints would.

 

[lluv24]

GO CHIEFS

 

[nycbob]

did u say ur tank temp dropped to 43 degrees? where was the heater?

 

[califishdude]

The heater was in the tank. I had bought a 300watt. It dropped over a few days. I usually check the temp everyday during the cold but i was no able to make it home from all the snow. I think i need to invest in a better heater system.

 

[mie]

Wow 43, are you sure your thermometer is accurate?

 

[kingsmith]

Actually not too long ago I had replaced a heater with one I found that was a better heater? However it was busted and when I came home from work around 24 hours later my tank had got down between 58-62 i would say however everything has recovered quite well. But everything I have corals, eels, stars and cuc are farely common and hardy species so use my experience with caution

 

[bullitr]

i never had a heater on my tank for years
my main tank is always above 77 even if 40 degrees outside.
also my 29 gallon never go below 72!
are you sure the temp was really 43?
most fish will die @ 60 degrees IMH Experience

 

[nycbob]

Originally Posted by bullitr
http:///forum/post/3187538
i never had a heater on my tank for years
my main tank is always above 77 even if 40 degrees outside.
also my 29 gallon never go below 72!
are you sure the temp was really 43?
most fish will die @ 60 degrees IMH Experience
+1. 43 is really cold. i am surprise everything made it.

 

[califishdude]

Keeping my tank heated was never an issue before. My lights always kept it warm.The cold front we had that just passed was a low of 0-10 degrees. I had put another therm. inside to check and the same temp appeared. This morning my Bubble Corals huge as before and all my leathers are opened along with my Brain and Candy cane.

 

[bullitr]

Originally Posted by califishdude
http:///forum/post/3187601
Keeping my tank heated was never an issue before. My lights always kept it warm.The cold front we had that just passed was a low of 0-10 degrees. I had put another therm. inside to check and the same temp appeared. This morning my Bubble Corals huge as before and all my leathers are opened along with my Brain and Candy cane.

 

[tank a holic]

cant say I've had this happen but 10 degrees below is nothing to us let alone 10 above
but I keep 2 heaters in my tank set at 79 sometimes they dont run at all
sometimes they run quite a bit but the temp in my house is 70
43? brrrrrrrrrr thats a heck of a drop from 80 in a day I'd say your damn lucky to not lose everything let alone nothing at all

 

[shwstpr88]

wouldnt the heat just from your house keep a tank above 43???

 

[califishdude]

Well thats what i thought. Our house was around 50 degrees, We couldn't keep the heat in. I live in a place where the low is never below 30 and the high is around 120. These freezefront was a first for me. I think i will try the two heater thing. Has anyone used a chiller with a heater setup?

 

[coral keeper]

My 300 gallon system with 1,072 watts of lighting(no heaters) is about 71F during the fall/winter months.

 

[cranberry]

My tank was that low one time. My patio door wasn't latched fully and a cold front blew in and blew it open (while I was gone). The corals were all balled up and full of snot and the seahorses were barely breathing. Everyone recovered to the best of my memory. Can't say for sure because it was a long time ago.