temperature control

[ackermsb]

At what temperature is it too hot for fish and inverts? Since I put my halides in my tank has gone up 5 degrees and i can only leave them on for 4 hours. Im gettting a couple of fans this week to try and lower the temp but I was just curious since I feel like I am reaching the threshold. Temp was at 78 amd now is around 83

 

[roggy23]

set your heater higher to like 81 degrees that way it only fluctuates 1 or 2 degrees max

 

[ackermsb]

I kind of understand your point however, what temperature is considered too high for saltwater keeping

 

[kyle10]

my tank hits 85-86 degrees...and i dont see any problems with it

 

[frozenice]

Wow, i was told to keep mine around 77 to 79. I get mad when it hits 80.1

 

[frozenice]

BTW i like your dogs kyle.

 

[ackermsb]

That makes me feel lot better Kyle

 

[bang guy]

IMO once you get over 87F you're near the threshold for many corals. For Red Sea Corals 90F would be the danger area.
However, there is a LOT of damage done if the change in temperature is over a short period of time. If your tank hits 83 that's fine, just don't let it drop back down to 78 during the same day. I keep my tank at 82F but I have maintained 85F in the past with good results.

 

[msd2]

Originally posted by roggy23
set your heater higher to like 81 degrees that way it only fluctuates 1 or 2 degrees max
Just be a bit cautious when you do this, you don't want to push the upper temp even higher. Does that make sense? Your putting energy into your water from the lights so be cautious that the additional temp maintained doesnt push your tank from 81 to say 84.
I personally have noticed the best growth/least problems at around 79-81

 

[bang guy]

That's a good point but in most cases the high temp has nothing to do with the starting temp. Sometimes, if the lights are shut off when the temp is still climbing what I said isn't true. But if the max temp is 83 then it's going to be 83 if you start at 75 or if you start at 83.
Hope that made sense.

 

[frozenice]

I personally have noticed the best growth/least problems at around 79-81
What do you mean by "the best growth/least problems"
Do you mean better growth of corals and less problems?I think thats what u mean right? :notsure:

 

[jacob_poly]

I do have a question...why all this fuss about temperature? I have read a lot about this. But doesn't the temperature in the sea easily fluctuate more than a fishtank? The only thing I can think is that SG is affected by temperature and with temperature fluctuations the SG will change....Is that the main reason? If not please educate...I really want to know.
Thanks,
Jacob.

 

[frozenice]

Since most fish live in very low depths the temperature changes very slowly and does not affect the fish. I not 100% sure but it might be that reason.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by jacob_poly
I have read a lot about this. But doesn't the temperature in the sea easily fluctuate more than a fishtank? The only thing I can think is that SG is affected by temperature and with temperature fluctuations the SG will change....Is that the main reason? If not please educate...I really want to know.

No, it can take days or weeks for the temperature around a reef to change by 1F. Inverts have most of their enzyme activity tailored to the current temp. If the temp changes gradually the enzyme activity can adjust without problem. If temp changes radically the enzyme activity can go haywire, especially if it changes in both direction during a single day. Fish are relatively unaffected but they have limits as well.
While Specific Gravity changes during temp fluctuations, Salinity does not. S.G. changes are harmless while Salinity changes can cause osmotic shock. Salinity on the reef is 35ppt regardless of what the specific gravity is. That is why we try to maintain salinity and not maintain S.G.
None of this applies to lagoons though... that's a seperate environment full of rapidly changing parameters. The animals that live there have adapted to the fluctuations.

 

[belothsurf]

What about temp and oxygen saturation? Doesn't O2 sat go down as temp rises, and in a tank this could be more critical?

 

[msd2]

Originally posted by FrozenIce
What do you mean by "the best growth/least problems"
Do you mean better growth of corals and less problems?I think thats what u mean right? :notsure:
that is exactly what meant. I have had less trouble w/corals dying, and ich outbreaks at that temp range. Personally I noticed a lot more disease and coral death when the tank ran warmer.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by belothsurf
What about temp and oxygen saturation? Doesn't O2 sat go down as temp rises, and in a tank this could be more critical?
I've never seen a problem with a lack of O2, not even is a bagged up fish. IMO the problem is CO2 poisoning, not a lack of O2. If you have a skimmer and/or adequate water circulation then a lack of O2 or an overabundance or CO2 will not become a problem.