[bassman]

Wow did I get a lecture from this store owner yesterday. We were discussing the faulty heater I purchased from him which brought us to discussing my tank temperature.
When I told him I was trying to maintain 79-80 degress he went right off on me. Basically telling me I was an idiot and that anything above 75 will cause my corals to bleach and that my fish won't live near as long.

Eventually I had to tell him that I didn't want to sit and argue with him on the phone about it, we just didn't agree and I wanted to research more first.

He told me that he has numerous reef tanks, one of which he hasn't touched in 8 years, including feeding the fish. No water changes at all, nothing except dosing. The fish eat the algae and pods in the tank.
He seems to know what he is talking about, he started his first reef at 13 yrs of age and it's still running at his mom's house. I think it is the tank he hasn't touched in 8 yrs. He says he is always adjusting parameters to study the affects and 75 degress is the temperature that delivers the best results, in color, longevity, reproduction and growth.

I know I haven't been at this long, but everything I have read has lead me to believe that 77-81 degress is considered safe. He was arguing that we are trying to match the ocean. Which according to him never gets above 75, not any ocean he's been in anyways, and he tests.

Of course I would like some clarification on this, if possible. LOL I know everyone has a difference of opinion. I just want to make sure that I am not running my system too hot and causing my corals to bleach. I just started my system and my corals are all new to me so I don't know exactly what color they should be. Everything seems healthy and appears to be growing at this point.

My tank is LPS dominant with 3 little SPS frags.


Thanks!