What is consider safe temperature range

[cathym1078]

How high is too high, and how low is consider too low when it comes to temperatures?

 

[mnat]

Most people consider 76 to 78 the "perfect" temperature for a reef tank. You also have to take into account what is in your tank, certain organisms are going to be tolerant of heat spikes while others are not. Corals seem to react much more to higher temps than fish. Most websites out there will give an ideal temp range for the fish/coral you have.

 

[Rbu1]

In my opinion safe is below 83...When you get above 83 you start to change oxygen levels in the water. All that means is in the event of a power outage your fish will perish a lot faster.

 

[cathym1078]

My tank temperature fluctuates but it sometimes goes up to 83.7. I try to keep it from reaching 84. I am working on getting a chiller. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[mikem]

My tank temperature fluctuates but it sometimes goes up to 83.7. I try to keep it from reaching 84. I am working on getting a chiller. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Are you running a fan over your sump?

 

[cathym1078]

No, I actually do not have a sump. I have the red sea max 250, which is a complete system. It came with 6 fans, but even with that it still runs hot. I have it in my living room and not the basement, which is probably why the temperature fluctuates.

 

[mnat]

Unfortunately with an all in one system you are limited in your capacity to cool the tank unless you are willing to drill into the back which I don't think you want to. You can get a chiller which will work but can be expensive. Also, when do you run your lights? By turning on the lights later you may be able to keep the tank a bit cooler without the chiller. Also, for a real cheap but not controllable method, freeze some water in a water bottle and drop it in one of the back containers to cool it down. This may help, but not too much and it is impossible to control.

 

[cathym1078]

Unfortunately with an all in one system you are limited in your capacity to cool the tank unless you are willing to drill into the back which I don't think you want to. You can get a chiller which will work but can be expensive. Also, when do you run your lights? By turning on the lights later you may be able to keep the tank a bit cooler without the chiller. Also, for a real cheap but not controllable method, freeze some water in a water bottle and drop it in one of the back containers to cool it down. This may help, but not too much and it is impossible to control.

I never thought about freezing a bottle. I will see if I can do that during hot weather. I am working on buying chiller. Thanks so much for the input. Do you know anyone willing to trade their chiller for t5 lights?

 

[greybolt03]

I Had the same problem with my red sea max 250 i have only had the tank for 6 mths now and haver already gone thru 2 sets of fans on the back the new computer fans my dad gave me seem to be doing the job keeping the temp in check but for awhile i was making ice cubes out of my pre mixed salt water theat i get from trop to keep the tank cool i will find out from him were he gets the computer fans from and how much they run

 

[Scottyrock]

i use the frozen water bottles in my nano. swap them out on really hot days to try and keep it below 82. i also open front feeder door and let the fan blow in cooler air.

 

[Audi0s]

I removed the feeder door on my nano completely, and makes it much easier to have steady temps. Water hasnt gone over 80, but when it does get close, Ill turn on my 7$ wally world fan. It blows over the open door, helps alot.

 

[njstillwell]

In reef keeping its always good to have a swing in temp nothing to crazy but a swing of nothing more than 4 degree's difference is considered healthy for coral to grow simulating the natural temp increase on the reefs when the sun is at its strongest.If your tank is reaching a temp no higher than 81 at its highest temp that is OK...but as long as the temp of the tank gradually comes down to about 77 to 78 at night your tank will be fine..