how much does your temperature change on a given day?

Constantin · 12/27/2009, 08:01 PM

My tank goes from about 77 to 78.5 and back again through the course of a day.
How tight do you keep your temps?

bkcjames · 12/27/2009, 08:08 PM

Mine goes from 77.5 to 79 and then the chiller kicks on...

Toddrtrex · 12/27/2009, 08:11 PM

Temps are a bit lower now that it is winter.... goes from 75 to 79.

amnesia · 12/27/2009, 08:17 PM

My tank fluctuates from 78-81 degrees throughout the day.

Shane Hoffman · 12/27/2009, 08:20 PM

My tank is at 75 to 76 degrees until the lights kick on. When the halides are on it gets up tp 79 in the winter. In the warmer months its 77 to 81.

mnml · 12/27/2009, 08:51 PM

74-76 my house get quite cold

Pylon · 12/27/2009, 08:53 PM

I start off around 78 and run up to about 82 before the lights turn off.

Korrine · 12/27/2009, 08:53 PM

mine is about 78.2-78.9. a degree or 2 warmer in the hot summer months.

pecdo · 12/27/2009, 09:53 PM

77-78 in the winter, up to 80 in the summer at times.

karsco · 12/27/2009, 09:55 PM

Pretty steady, since my tank is in the basement and on a RKL controller.

78.4 - 78.6

Tang Salad · 12/27/2009, 09:55 PM

76-82.5

scottwhitson · 12/27/2009, 09:56 PM

About the same as Tang Salad. 76-83

Mikep503 · 12/27/2009, 10:15 PM

Summer time mine stays very steady but with the colder winter temps in Oregon and having my sump and frag tank in the garage mine has been from 75

to 80

euromomtx · 12/27/2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amnesia

My tank fluctuates from 78-81 degrees throughout the day.

Mine's the same. I don't want a swing much bigger than this. SMaller would make me happier.

Constantin · 12/27/2009, 10:19 PM

Question to some of you -
Dont you think that going from 77 to 82-83 is too much?
Reason I am asking is because I could turn my heaters on later and have my tank run at 76 or even 75 at night and then go up to whatever it will(prolly around 78), would that be ok?
that would save me money on my electric bill.

This is a 500g SPS oriented setup btw

Stripe01 · 12/27/2009, 10:36 PM

Keep your heater set at 79-80.

Suzukibusa06 · 12/27/2009, 11:34 PM

Constaitisn that would way to much for an SPS tank. You need to keep that fluctation as low as you can. I would say within a .5 degree range. I have a 540 fish only system and mine stays at 79 and the chiller kicks on at 80 degrees.

Tang salad and Scott whinston that's a huge difference. Your corals or fish may be used to it but from my expericence it's asking for trouble. We have some service tanks that have swings like this and I can't tell huge differences in the growth and health of the animals. Not to mention they are harder to maintain due to nusiance algaes.

Deep Thief · 12/28/2009, 01:15 AM

I don't feel so bad anymore

I thought a two degree spike was huge. Well.

Tang Salad · 12/28/2009, 09:40 AM

Temperature stability is not nearly as important as it's made out to be. It's another of those often repeated, rarely backed-up, misconceptions in this hobby.

Toddrtrex · 12/28/2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tang Salad

Temperature stability is not nearly as important as it's made out to be. It's another of those often repeated, rarely backed-up, misconceptions in this hobby.

I have to agree. There have been many threads on this subject, and it has been shown that fluctuations are fine, if not helpful.

While I can't really prove it, I believe that having a fluctuation saved me in the past. Long story short, my temps jumped up to 89* for 6 hours and I didn't lose anything. I have been keeping SPS for about 10 years now, and my tanks have always had at least a 4* change per day and never had any issues.

greenbean36191 · 12/28/2009, 09:58 AM

76-83 in the winter and 82-86 in the summer.

No, that's not too much to keep SPS. Those types of swings are not only normal, but common on reefs where these corals and fish come from. Many reefs see much more severe swings without issue. There is no indication that temp swings are harmful or even stressful to any reef animals and in fact, it's generally accepted that the animals from reefs with greater variation are more resistant to temperature stress. What is problematic are temp spikes, but too many hobbyists make no distinction between the two. Someone sees a temp spike and loses corals so rather than simply avoiding temperature spikes they try to avoid all temperature variation, which can actually work against them.

Temperature variations of 8-10 degrees are not a problem. However, temperature spikes (increases above the normal maximum temperature) of only 2-4 degrees can be stressful.
To give an example, corals can see a 5 degree temp swing every day and it's not a problem, but if one day there's a 7 degree swing there could be bleaching. Similarly, if you keep a tank within .5 degrees everyday, a swing of only 3 degrees in a day could be a big problem. The idea that variations are harmful essentially becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Financial Panth · 12/28/2009, 10:13 AM

76-79...80 tops.

Indymann99 · 12/28/2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karsco

Pretty steady, since my tank is in the basement and on a RKL controller.

78.4 - 78.6

Ditto, basement location is great for stable temps. I run mine at 79.2 and it only goes up to 79.5 during the day.

tkeracer619 · 12/28/2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbean36191

76-83 in the winter and 82-86 in the summer.

No, that's not too much to keep SPS. Those types of swings are not only normal, but common on reefs where these corals and fish come from. Many reefs see much more severe swings without issue. There is no indication that temp swings are harmful or even stressful to any reef animals and in fact, it's generally accepted that the animals from reefs with greater variation are more resistant to temperature stress. What is problematic are temp spikes, but too many hobbyists make no distinction between the two. Someone sees a temp spike and loses corals so rather than simply avoiding temperature spikes they try to avoid all temperature variation, which can actually work against them.

Temperature variations of 8-10 degrees are not a problem. However, temperature spikes (increases above the normal maximum temperature) of only 2-4 degrees can be stressful.
To give an example, corals can see a 5 degree temp swing every day and it's not a problem, but if one day there's a 7 degree swing there could be bleaching. Similarly, if you keep a tank within .5 degrees everyday, a swing of only 3 degrees in a day could be a big problem. The idea that variations are harmful essentially becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I keep sps. SPS does not need .5 degree to survive. I have been fine with swings from 76-83

rkb · 12/28/2009, 12:10 PM

This time of the year it may vary from 77.1 to 76.9. That is with a house temp that gets as low as 65 at night. I use two 150w in sump heaters controlled by a RKL as for summertime I use a 1/10hp chiller with a set point of 78.

12/27/2009, 08:01 PM	#1
Constantin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 225	how much does your temperature change on a given day? My tank goes from about 77 to 78.5 and back again through the course of a day. How tight do you keep your temps?

12/27/2009, 08:11 PM	#3
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Temps are a bit lower now that it is winter.... goes from 75 to 79. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

12/27/2009, 08:20 PM	#5
Shane Hoffman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: 45 mins from Chicago Posts: 2,009	My tank is at 75 to 76 degrees until the lights kick on. When the halides are on it gets up tp 79 in the winter. In the warmer months its 77 to 81. __________________ A wise man once said "Never play leap frog with a unicorn" Current Tank Info: 150 gallon glass with 20 gallon sump, 175lbs of coraline covered live rock, EuroReef skimmer rated for 250gal, 25watt Aqua UV sterilizer, Fluval FX5, Hamilton 3x250watt MH, 160 watt Blue actinic....Mixed reef

12/27/2009, 08:51 PM	#6
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	74-76 my house get quite cold __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

12/27/2009, 08:53 PM	#8
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	mine is about 78.2-78.9. a degree or 2 warmer in the hot summer months. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

12/27/2009, 08:08 PM	#2
bkcjames Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 118	Mine goes from 77.5 to 79 and then the chiller kicks on...

12/27/2009, 08:17 PM	#4
amnesia Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Huntsville, ON Posts: 86	My tank fluctuates from 78-81 degrees throughout the day.

12/27/2009, 08:53 PM	#7
Pylon Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: West Jefferson, NC Posts: 493	I start off around 78 and run up to about 82 before the lights turn off.

12/27/2009, 09:53 PM	#9
pecdo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 51	77-78 in the winter, up to 80 in the summer at times.

12/27/2009, 09:55 PM	#10
karsco Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 645	Pretty steady, since my tank is in the basement and on a RKL controller. 78.4 - 78.6

12/27/2009, 09:55 PM	#11
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	76-82.5 __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

12/27/2009, 09:56 PM	#12
scottwhitson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lewiston, Idaho Posts: 1,395	About the same as Tang Salad. 76-83

12/27/2009, 10:15 PM	#13
Mikep503 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Salem Oregon Posts: 66	Summer time mine stays very steady but with the colder winter temps in Oregon and having my sump and frag tank in the garage mine has been from 75 to 80

12/27/2009, 10:19 PM	#15
Constantin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 225	Question to some of you - Dont you think that going from 77 to 82-83 is too much? Reason I am asking is because I could turn my heaters on later and have my tank run at 76 or even 75 at night and then go up to whatever it will(prolly around 78), would that be ok? that would save me money on my electric bill. This is a 500g SPS oriented setup btw Last edited by Constantin; 12/27/2009 at 10:26 PM.

12/27/2009, 10:36 PM	#16
Stripe01 Moved On Join Date: May 2009 Location: Napa Posts: 411	Keep your heater set at 79-80.

12/27/2009, 11:34 PM	#17
Suzukibusa06 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 60	Constaitisn that would way to much for an SPS tank. You need to keep that fluctation as low as you can. I would say within a .5 degree range. I have a 540 fish only system and mine stays at 79 and the chiller kicks on at 80 degrees. Tang salad and Scott whinston that's a huge difference. Your corals or fish may be used to it but from my expericence it's asking for trouble. We have some service tanks that have swings like this and I can't tell huge differences in the growth and health of the animals. Not to mention they are harder to maintain due to nusiance algaes. __________________ "Eat, Drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we will die" - Dave Matthews Current Tank Info: 540 Gallon FOWLER

12/28/2009, 01:15 AM	#18
Deep Thief Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mortons Gap, KY Posts: 130	I don't feel so bad anymore I thought a two degree spike was huge. Well.

12/28/2009, 09:40 AM	#19
Tang Salad Algae skeptic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 78702 Posts: 3,098	Temperature stability is not nearly as important as it's made out to be. It's another of those often repeated, rarely backed-up, misconceptions in this hobby. __________________ Your algae is not special. Current Tank Info: TBD ADA 120-P SPS NLPS

12/28/2009, 09:58 AM	#21
greenbean36191 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 10,598	76-83 in the winter and 82-86 in the summer. No, that's not too much to keep SPS. Those types of swings are not only normal, but common on reefs where these corals and fish come from. Many reefs see much more severe swings without issue. There is no indication that temp swings are harmful or even stressful to any reef animals and in fact, it's generally accepted that the animals from reefs with greater variation are more resistant to temperature stress. What is problematic are temp spikes, but too many hobbyists make no distinction between the two. Someone sees a temp spike and loses corals so rather than simply avoiding temperature spikes they try to avoid all temperature variation, which can actually work against them. Temperature variations of 8-10 degrees are not a problem. However, temperature spikes (increases above the normal maximum temperature) of only 2-4 degrees can be stressful. To give an example, corals can see a 5 degree temp swing every day and it's not a problem, but if one day there's a 7 degree swing there could be bleaching. Similarly, if you keep a tank within .5 degrees everyday, a swing of only 3 degrees in a day could be a big problem. The idea that variations are harmful essentially becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. __________________ Some say the sun rises in the East. Some say it rises in the West. The truth must be somewhere in the middle. Current Tank Info: tore them down to move and haven't had the time or money to set them back up

12/28/2009, 10:13 AM	#22
Financial Panth Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NW burbs of Chicago Posts: 209	76-79...80 tops.

12/28/2009, 12:10 PM	#25
rkb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Western Hemisphere Posts: 578	This time of the year it may vary from 77.1 to 76.9. That is with a house temp that gets as low as 65 at night. I use two 150w in sump heaters controlled by a RKL as for summertime I use a 1/10hp chiller with a set point of 78. __________________ Current tank: Eleventy billion gallon tank with a DSB of rainbow gravel and one tiny blue tang...