Many aquarists wonder, what is the ideal temperature for my marine fish tank? In this article, we will help you with this difficult decision.
Unfortunately, it is not a simple and straightforward answer. The choice of temperature in an aquarium is as varied as its owners. Some aquarists prefer to keep the temperature between 23°C and 25°C, while others prefer 23°C and 28°C. There are still those who think that some corals and fish, coming from warm tropical waters, do much better at higher temperatures, between 26°C and 28°C.
In an online article in the Aquarium Frontier Magazine, Ronald Shimek makes a note indicating that usually in aquariums, we have corals that come from different regions and ocean temperatures. This temperature ranging from 22°C to 33°C. He says that “keeping an aquarium in the range of 24°C to 26°C can stress all species that belong to the reefs of the central Indo-Pacific, for example, since it is very cold. And, because this is close to the upper limits for subtropical regions ”. In addition, it would be better for everyone if aquarists focused on separating systems of organisms from geographically distinct areas.
Knowing what types of animals you own and where they come from is very important. It’s plays an important role in deciding what is the best temperature in the aquarium.
Is there a middle ground?
In response to Ronald’s article, Richard Harker states in his Reef Tank Temperatures – Another View article:
“An amateur who decides to increase the temperature of his aquarium, needs to make sure that it is a stable aquarium with healthy corals.. .”
“…and that he does not have no sign of algae and that contains the necessary equipment to efficiently remove the increase in waste”. Under these conditions, it would be safe to increase the temperature of the tank.”
However, he says that instead of trying to keep your temperatures high, you should reach a middle ground, stay in the 26 ° C range.
He states that “the temperature provides the safety margin, as corals have been shown to thrive regardless of whether they are from colder or hotter waters.”
What other factors influence when I raise the temperature of the aquarium?
Some other important factors to remember when deciding to increase the temperature of the aquarium:
- In a closed system, there may be excess metabolic waste to deal with. If the excess residues are not removed, with the high temperatures, it can cause uncontrolled proliferation of algae and diseases. Fish and corals that thrive in warmer conditions will be affected. In the sea, there are many oceanic organisms that carry out this type of control.
- The warmer water results in a lack of oxygen dissolved in the water. Loss of dissolved oxygen can suffocate and kill fish in your aquarium much faster. But, having good surface movement and ample aeration, this problem can be controlled.
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- Sudden changes in temperature can have a detrimental effect on zooxanthella algae. They are essential to provide nutrition to the vast majority of corals This change may cause the resident zooxanthellae to abandon the coral, causing its bleaching and eventual death.
As you can see, there are different opinions on this subject. Taking into account the type of aquarium we have at home.
However, animal exposed to sudden changes in water temperature will be stressed and likely to die. But if properly acclimated, animals will likely adapt to their new environments.
High temperatures can present problems for some of your fish. But the main problem will be the constant change from high to low temperatures over short periods of time.
In case you are having this type of problem, especially when your temperature fluctuates 4 degrees both up and down, one of the first options is to add a Chiller.
Chiller is equipment that helps to maintain the precise temperature at all times, which seems to be the most important factor.
What is the ideal temperature for your Marine Fish Tank? Tell us!
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