Temperature for reef keeping on the high side? (1 Viewer)

[ReefNoob]

you guys may have seen this but I'm on my steep learning curve so I thought I'd share:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/aquariummaintenancecare/a/reeftanktemp.htm

The author essentially states that higher temps( around 82-86) is beneficial for corals since this is the temp they usually grow at in their native habitat( shallow reef corals,NOT deep stuff like black coral!).

I think the real problem of higher temp may be the dissolved O2 concentration that might drop a bit ;it's probably good to have a good air/water exchange surface + agitation .

Thoughts?

 

[AquaNerd]

higher temp water does contain less dissolved O2, but if you have an open top, a refugium, and good water movement there shouldn't be any problems whatsoever. i keep my tank just a shade above 82 during the summer months and just a shade over 80 during the winter months (the whole 3 that texas has ). i've heard the same thing for clams...they prefer elevated temps, pretty much anything above 80 for best results.

but the main thing to consider is stability of the temp. it needs to stay pretty much the same day in and day out for best results.

 

[MarkieB]

IF I absolutely knew I could always keep my temp at 84 I would and the tank would probably be happier. BUT I can't make that guarantee.

So I keep it at 81 so that way I know in the event of a power outage I have a little recover time to work up a plan, rather than having the tank sitting right at the edge.

It's just saftey measure.

I was recently asked what ph do i like. I like 8.4 but I shoot for 8.2 again, adding me a little comfort room by hanging in the middle.


Since we know things can and will go wrong I would advise you not to run anything near the extreme safety zones. Give yourself some recovery room if needed.

 

[ReefNoob]

So I keep it at 81 so that way I know in the event of a power outage I have a little recover time to work up a plan, rather than having the tank sitting right at the edge. .

Make sense during the winter; during the summer,the power outage will impact your tank heater/lights/pumps but will take out your A/C at the same time,which would probably increase the surrounding air temperature,thus keeping the tank within acceptable range( assuming you keep your A/C setpoint high during the day say around 80 F so that air temp rises quicker than the tank temp drops).

Just my 0.02 of thermodynamics for today!