tank temp

[don duncan]

hello everyone,

I am fairly new to running bigger tanks. I just got a 135 and was wondering what temp it should be at. It seems to be a little warm 82-84F. What can I do to cool it down some.

[beefytang]

Chillers seem to be popular for keeping temps low if you're using metal halide. If you're using a heater, you could always turn it down some. And I read that some people run a fan between their lights and tank to help lower the temp.

[don duncan]

what temp is ideal?

[beefytang]

what temp is ideal?

I guess it varies with what you have stocked in the tank. I keep mine around 78 Deg. I have mostly polyps, mushrooms and a few common LPS in a 20g. 3 small fish. Nothing too exotic. You may want to look at a site like marinedepotlive.com and browse their fish/corals to see what their recommended temperatures are. Most things need to be kept between 72 to 78 degrees F.

[GKarshens]

I keep my 125 at 79. I do this using Computer fans I have installed in my canopy. They are controlled by my Reef Keeper 2 to come on at 79.4 and turn off at 79.2. My heater comes on at 78.9. That way my tank always stays within a 1 degree swing.

[+ACampbell]

Mine swings between 79 and 82.

[mikedelgado]

Mine fluctuates between78 and 82. I use a $40 fan I got at wall mart to blow across the top of the water. the fan and my lighte are tied to a aquacontroller.

[manhorsedog]

I keep my 125 at 79. I do this using Computer fans I have installed in my canopy. They are controlled by my Reef Keeper 2 to come on at 79.4 and turn off at 79.2. My heater comes on at 78.9. That way my tank always stays within a 1 degree swing.

dont you think it would be better to have a bigger swing than that? i mean if you can control it wouldnt it be better for the coral and fish? I have not put a lot of thought into this but thinking about recreating an ecosystem and how much ocean water might fluctuate during even giving day it might help the fish and the coral in case there was a biggr swing one day. almost like building up an immune system

Maybe we should discuss this a little more because now i am really curious

Edited November 13, 2008 by manhorsedog

[GKarshens]

I think that the ocean is pretty stable. Especially at depth. Surface temps may swing on any given day but not at 30-60 feet where most corals live. Also remember that we cannot mimic the ocean in our tanks. It is impossible. So we have to give corals the best possible conditions to thrive. I have heard some talk of people thinking their corals were more hardy by having swings, but I have yet to see any scientific evidence. In my experience stability is the key. If you have some other info. I would love to read it.