The "Perfect" Temperature Range??

What does everyone consider the perfect temp range?? 

79 - 79

The more constant the temp the better off you are.

any reasons as to why??  Why 79 and why should it stay constant??

Edited by Travis

Stress is the main reason why you want to keep it as level as possible.  I keep mine at 79, the reason is that that is were it likes to migrate to.

Once my lights come on I have a hard time keeping it cooler then 79.  SO I try to maintain 79 rather then have the temp spike.

 

"No matter what temperature you decide to maintain your system at, the general consensus here is that any marine animal exposed to quick changing water temperatures will be stressed, and even though they may be able to handle the change for only a ever short time, if continually exposed they will probably die. When it comes to tank temperatures that are changed rapidly, or that may be constantly changing in degrees too much up or down for short periods of time, a variation of even 2° F can be enough to cause problems, especially for corals and other invertebrates. However, with gradual acclimation, marine organisms are amazing creatures and can adjust to their environments. To avoid the common pitfalls of temperature problems, the most important thing is to maintain a STEADY temperature at all times! "  ( http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/waterquality/a/aa061002_2.h tm August 30, 2004)

 

Edited by Kull

Here are some "Expert" opinions:

"

• Ronald Shimek's view is that corals you have in your tank may come from many different ocean water temperatures, ranging from 72° F up to about 92° F. For example, keeping reef organisms from the central Indo-Pacific in the upper 70° F range will stress them, as it is too cold, because this is near the upper limits for subtropical organisms. He states that, "It would be better for all concerned if aquarists concentrated their efforts on maintaining separate systems for organisms from geographically disparate areas." In other words, knowing what kind of organisms you have and "where" they come from is an important factor when determining a tank temperature for your system.

• Richard Harker's view is that, "A hobbyist who decides to increase the temperature of his or her tank needs to make sure that it is a stable tank with healthy corals, no sign of algae, and has equipment necessary to efficiently remove the increased waste products. Under these conditions it would be safe to increase the tank's temperature." However, he points out that rather than trying to run your temperatures high, you should reach a happy medium at about 79 degrees, because this temperature provides the largest margin of safety for the hobbyist, as corals have been shown to thrive in water several degrees on either side of this temperature"

(http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/waterquality/a/aa061002.htm August 30, 2004)

Again for me it isn't really what temp you choose to keep the system at it is maintaining it.

Also where the temp changes so does your ph and amount disolved Oxygen in the water also other import factors in keeping a healthy reef are affected such as the rate of decay, how quickly algae grows ect.

What does everyone consider the perfect temp range?? 

76°F days - 68°F nights... San Diego would be my paradise if it weren't for all those people!

If I could, I would keep my tank at 78°F, but I can't during the summer so for the last few months I've kept my tank at 80°F.  Come fall/winter, I'll drop it back down to 78°F (or maybe not??).  I also try to keep it as constant as possible.

I agree with Jake & Shimek, it really depends on the seahorse......

Our tanks are in our basement. i keep them at 74 degrees in the
winter, which is pretty much where it stays without a heater. In the
summer, its around 76`. All our life seems to have adapted to a
cooler temp.
Kull, does higher temps increase or decrease O2?

As with most disolved gases, the higher the temp the lower the concentration of disolved gases.  Where is the chemist?  I was sure he would have something to say, I'm no chemist, but I do remember a few thngs from the days that I played one at School.

 

Some suggest that you can offset the to some extent the cause the higher tempuratures have on the disolved hases present by incresing your water flow.  I think that this is true to an extent, Water flow will make is so that you have available gasses thoughout the tank, and the concentration will be equal, it will keep you form having "dead zones" 

 

At any rate this is my 0.50

Good luck.

 

If you want to see how temperature and salinity effect O2 saturation check out this calculator:  http://www.aquanic.org/images/tools/oxygen.htm

Increasing your water flow can help you reach the saturation point, but can't boost you over it.  FWIW, I personally think that within the temperature ranges we are concerned with, it doesn't matter. 

From that program (O2 saturation):

76F/35 ppt/4300 ft elevation = 5.843 mg/l
82F/35 ppt/4300 ft elevation = 5.513 mg/l

That's only a 5% drop in oxygen.  Is that significant?

Some interesting information from Aquarium Corals, Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History by Eric H. Borneman.

In a study of 1,000 natural reefs the average temperature was found to be 82deg. Of those reefs tested the lower temperature reefs averaged 77deg and the higher temperature reefs averaged 86deg.

Edited by Travis

IMO nutrients enables algae blooms .  Bad lighting, heat, etc just allows the algae to consume the nutrients easier.

Edited by Travis