Temperature: A must read !

[deita]

Hi,
Interested in what you long time reefers think. This Dr.is very reputable from what I'm told at Woods whole Oceanographic Institute. Please tell me what you think. Are we all killing our inhabitants slowly thru improper temp. The URL is <a href="http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp" target="_blank">www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1997/nov/features/1/default.asp</a>

 

[nasotang00]

That is a pretty interesting article. The only problem is that I have corals from all different parts of the world mixed in the same 55 gallon tank. An acceptable 82 deg would be fine for some but not for others. Not that it would damage or kill them but the may not open and grow correctly. If all my corals were from the same specific area that had a solid temp of 82-84, then keeping my aquarium at that temp would be ideal. In a mixed small enviornment (an aquarium compared to the open ocean reef) it is kind of hard to accomodate everything with an "ideal" temp and salinity.

 

[deita]

I appreciate your input. Thanx. <img src="graemlins//eek.gif" border="0" alt="[eek]" />

 

[deita]

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate your input. I,ve read alot on this BB that people have their reef tanks at 74 - 76 degrees and so on. I was wondering if 84 degrees as stated in the article was viewed by many hobbyists as too high. I'm attempting to keep fish and corals from Indo-Pacific regions only, to provide a uniform setting for all of them, thereby reducing long time stress on critters from other temperate zones. I would appreciate hearing from other reefers who have had success [long time] at lower temps. Thanks again.

 

[luke]

It seems to me that about once every couple of months someone quotes or points people to Dr. Shimek's article. I think it is very interesting (the article not the quotes thereof ). I think the temp issue really comes down to success. How many people have beem successful at a given temp. I think you will find that corals can be successfully kept at tamps as low as 70 and as high as 85 or more. These numbers are more as an example than a rule. Frankly if you keep your tank at 76 or 78 then you are right smack in the middle of the range. This seems to be the most forgiving place. I have had tanks have major temp spikes. A tank rising 5 degrees (although certainly not good) is by far not uncommon. This is the problem with people keeping there tanks at 80 or 85. When you get that temp spike, soon enough you are out of the success range and into the maybe or maybe not range The same is true for tempature dips at night. Ideally one has 2000 to spend on a chiller, accurate heater, and controller... but most don't or don't want to allocate it that way. Temps in the 80s may be benificial if one could count on them staying there. It may also be benificial to lower the temp in the winter and raise it in the summer. Just as the table in Dr. Shimeck's article shows. I personally feel that recreating as natural a habitat as possible is key, but if you can't maintain it, then you need to make adjustments. Like keeping a tank at 76.
Luke

 

[deita]

Thanks for your input Luke, I appreciate it.