Temperature Questions

Here in Indiana the temperature tends to swing this time of year. i have my heater in my 55 set to 72 degrees right now because for a few days it was getting closer to 80 and i didnt want it to continue to climb. While keeping in mind that ideal water temperature is between 72-78, i have been keeping my heater set at 72 so that it cannot climb high again if it warms up one more time (we dont run the air or heat when the weather permits). So my questions is, my digital readout usual reads about 72.5 but never lower because i have it set at 72. is this okay? Or will 72 consistently become too cold for my softies (actinodiscus mushrooms, gren hairy mushrooms, kenya tree, green button polyps) or my LPS, plate coral and frogspawn.
thank you for all of your help
JP

 

80 is not a problem for the majority of corals I have kept
Its when my unchilled tank climbed over 84 that I witnessed some wilting of soft corals
they all came around once temp was dropped back down

set your heater for 76 and dont worry if it climbs to 80, as it does it slowly

Steve

 

The temperature swing is the problem more than the temperature. I would more the temperature up to 76 though because you are definitely on the low end of the scale and not all coral can handle temps that low. Most tropical reefs have a temperature range of 76 to 84. The only reason for 78 being at the top of the scale is to help keep oxygen levels up. You can compensate for the higher temp by increasing surface agitation in all of your system's tanks.

 

okay, great! thanks for your help. i made the adjustment to 75. thanks again