Lecture from LFS

[Der_Iron_Chef]

That's ridiculous. Temperatures in shallow coastal waters can soar to almost 100 degress, and get very cold at greater depths (in the 30's). There is abundant life at all levels!

[VFX]

Anybody who says 'their' way is the 'only' way shouldn't be listened to in this hobby.

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[Delphinus]

I'd say he pretty much invalidated his position when he said he hasn't fed his fish in years.

But anyhow, for what it's worth, I'm no world-class diver by any stretch, but I did dive and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef in 2001, and I remember vividly that the water temperature was 26 (which converts to 79F). And this was considered "cold" for most of the Aussies on the boat with us. The 2 Canadians (my wife & I) were the only fools who went into the water without wetsuits. (I mean, come on, 26C? The water in BC is, what, maybe 12C? Maybe 15C? And people swim in it all the time. Compared to that the GBR was like swimming in bathtub warm water!)

But Drew is right: temperatures fluctuate not only with geographic regions, but with depth and .. well heck ever stick your finger in a tidepool at high noon? And things live through that.

[Joe Reefer]

Originally Posted by VFX

Anybody who says 'their' way is the 'only' way shouldn't be listened to in this hobby.

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So true!

[mark]

Originally Posted by VFX

Anybody who says 'their' way is the 'only' way shouldn't be listened to in this hobby.

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I'm with you here as well.

[Pier Pressure]

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.

[Pan]

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

[Lance]

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.

[fishoholic]

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.