Are my tank temp OK?

[chase2931]

Right now my tank runs at 74 on the bottom, 75 in the middle and 76 at the top where the lights are. What I am wondering is this a good temp for a reef tank and am I OK with 74 at the bottom for brain corals? Thanks

[The Shrimp X]

Get a small pump and aim it at an angle towrds the bottom so the temp gets mixes and more stable, i understand if the top half an inch or so is a little warmer because of the lights but diffrent temps at diffrent levels of the tank would cause stress for the fish. When the fish is constanly swimming through diffrent temperatures it would cause alot of stress to the fish, and stress can lead to deseases like ich.

Just my 2 cents.

[marsch21]

Temp. is a big debate. I run my tank at 79 to 80. I'm wondering about the temp differences in your tank. It would appear that you might need to address circulation. If the tank is cooler at the bottom (as cooler water sinks) your circulation may need addressed and improved.
Just my $0.02

[chase2931]

Thanks I will look into getting a small pump for circulation. What size of pump would I need for a 90 gallon. I already have a mag pushing out 950 gph.

[Sierra]

what size is your tank?

For larger tanks - some people use 2 heaters - placed in seperate areas of the tank and in a area that gets alot of good circulation.

Main thing is that you get that water moving To even out the temp.

I am running my tank at 78 to 79 degrees - with the powerheads I have on there Its pretty even temp thoughout the tank - and I'm ordering 2 more powerheeads to increase circulation more for the health of my critters.

[Sierra]

Originally posted by chase2931
Thanks I will look into getting a small pump for circulation. What size of pump would I need for a 90 gallon. I already have a mag pushing out 950 gph.

get a Maxi-jet 1200 - marine depot has them for about 18 bucks.

Every LFS in my area charges 30.00 for them.

I also have a 90g tank.

[chase2931]

Thanks fot advise I will check out marine depot. Do I need to up the tempatures or just stabilize the temps.

[Sierra]

that I dont know. The "safe" range" I am going to try and enforce in my tank is between 76 and 82 - If it falls below or goes over that range I will be 'on top of it'.

Everyone has different opinions about proper temp. So I'll let someone else handle that question for sure.

But for now - If I were you I'd work on circulation and stablizing the water temp first and foremost.

HTH

[Ti]

Move more water.
No reason you should be getting different temp reading at different levels in a tank.
Since you have a 90g try the seio.
Maxijet is good for strong directional flow, but the seio will move more in water gently.

[geekreef_05]

74 is low for corals. Move flow is right, get that going and see how it stablizes.
Temp is a big debate, but anyone will tell u that 74 is no good for corals. Generally a good rule of thumb is to keep the tank between 78-82.

Maybe you should consider 'strategically placing' your heater, powerhead and even LR to create good flow

[The Shrimp X]

i would say that 78* is the best temp, in my Opinion.

[giarcrekrap]

saltwater should never be lower than 80F

[bertoni]

This article discusses temperature:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Also, www.rshimek.com has a lot of references down in the reef pages.

I target 82.

[Entropy]

Originally posted by giarcrekrap
saltwater should never be lower than 80F

I do not agree with this, and I can point you to several thriving reefs in the worlds oceans that are in the 78-80 range.

I myself shoot for 78.5-79 with my ReefKeeper controller. My tank is almost always at 78.5, but sometimes it creeps up to 79 before the fan comes on.

[The Shrimp X]

i have tried the temp at 74,75,76,77,78,79,80,81, and 82 and everything seemed happiest and most active at 78 this is why 78 is best, IN MY OWN opinion (key words "my own")

[Mr.Maska]

I leave my tank at 92 my coral love to sweat and my fish jump out of the water to cool down!

[Scuba_Dave]

In the winter my tank dips to 75-78, summer is 78-82, with a high now & then of 84. Just like nature

And if you have a sand bed , I would never aim a ph down. Better to secure it in rockwork near the bottom & point up. Even a small ph can cause a huge sandstorm if it slips

[DaddyJax]

I keep mine at 76.5 to 77.2 at all times! I havent had any outbreaks yet since lowering my temp. The thing I have found is consistancy in temp whether it be 82 or 77. I wouldnt angle a PH directly at the sand but I would make sure that one is at a distant angle towards the bottom. I have my PH's at an X with my returns blowing against the front and back glassin the middle of the two. That gets the water moving!!

[scbauer]

Originally posted by giarcrekrap
saltwater should never be lower than 80F

Hahaha... I love quotes like this. We should start a cool thread with posts just like this one. I think I'll do that. :)

-Scott