Well I guess it just goes to show ya, these little critters are very versatile and stability is still the key.

I agree with all of you, 78-81 seems to be the average and returns great results.

I just found it very funny how literally upset this guy was and would not listen when I told him that 98% of the people in forums from all over the world agree on 77-81.

Oh well, LOL

Borneman's Aquarium Corals has a nice listing of average and extreme temperatures on p.349. Average of all tested reefs --> 82F.

When I was diving in Australia, I remember a lot of the reefs being above 80 degrees. We were diving in quite shallow waters but even around 30' it was still quite warm. Im not sure where he is getting his info from but I don't think its very accurate.

I keep my tank around 77 and it seems to be doing well. Sometimes at night it drops a bit to 75 but I have never seen any problems.

swimming in carribean
 

I was in the carribeans last year and the water temp was nice hot 85. Algaes, hermits, urchins, snails on the rocky shores were soaking in the rays at a nice 88F - I was a little shocked to hear the temps but everything was healthy. Not sure how but they were.....

Better yet, post this same thread to RC, wait about an hour, and then show the guy at the lfs the responses you get. I dare you! They will eat this right up! haha

Jason

I'm with you here as well.

I do not understand what the faulty heater this guy sold you has to do with what temperature you keep your tank at. That is really none of his business, and I also agree with the above.

Ours was around 75 and we just raised it up to around 80 because that seems to be where most reefers like to keep it.

I keep it at 75 only because i can do so without a chiller :) I always figured 78-81 was because people couldn't. That being said I know tons of people who keep there tanks as high as 84 degrees with no ill effects whatsoever. The only thing about temps i would see being any sort of an issue would be in acclimation. from a 75-76 degree tank to an 84 degree tank...but even the lfs in calgary i would wager don't do 75. I really picked 75 because it was the first temp people agreed on when i asked...a long time ago. Stuck with it ever since. You'll be fine, I take issue with any lfs or anyone for that matter telling me sometyhing like that thouigh..offering advice is one thing...but, oh well. If your livestock is happy i'd say you are doing the right thing :)

We just came back from a cruise to Mexico. The ship's log book posted the water temperature daily. Because I keep a reef tank I made a note of the temp at each port of call. The warmest was Acapulco at 83F, the coolest was Cabo San Lucas at 77F. Zihuatanejo, known for great shallow water snorkeling features sea horses, urchins, puffers, angelfish, butterflies, triggers, etc. I didn't hear any of these fish complain of the heat.

We keep our tank at 79-81 usually it pretty much stays at 80, everything in our tank seems fine and has been (temp wise) for the past 2 years. Not feeding fish at all seems cruel to me. :sad: