The Ideal Reef Tank Temperature & Why You Should Care

Reef tanks are usually filled with colorful fish and coral from around the world. What do all those animals have in common though? They're all from coral reefs from ocean waters near the equator! While those waters are warming, we don't need to let our tanks do the same - controlling temperature doesn't have to be hard! Letting your tank swing a degree or two each day is likely to be fine if your fish and coral are healthy - some wild Acropora on reefs in American Samoa see nearly a 6F degree temperature swing every day!
Your reef tank temperature should be in the upper 70s - around 77 or 78F (25C). Keeping it there doesn't need to be hard, from bags of ice cubes as a temporary measure, to fans or even chillers there are many options out there to keep your tank from exceeding those temperatures. If only wild coral reefs had the same options! Your tank's temp might seem difficult to control at first, but as you grow beyond a beginner reef tank keeper you'll find it's nothing too complicated. Just find something that works for you and your tank!
We'll avoid discussion of cold water tanks, as these have special considerations that add a lot of complication. You should avoid fish like the Catalina Goby and some other deepwater species in the average reef tank, as these fish either come from temperate water or very deep water - in both cases they need cooler water temperature than the average reef tank provides (if only a few degrees in some cases).
Reef coral survival and mortality at low temperatures in the Arabian Gulf: new species-specific lower temperature limits
Stephen L. Coles and Yusef H. Fadlallah
Coral Reefs (1991) 9:231-237
High temperatures tolerated by a diverse assemblage of shallow-water corals in American Samoa
P. Craig, C. Birkeland & S. Belliveau
doi.org/10.1007...
Seasonal Changes in Zoanthus spp. in the Infra-Littoral Zone at Taisho Lava Field, Sakurajima, Kagoshima, Japan
Shusuke ONO, James Davis REIMER and Junzo TSUKAHARA
miseryukyu.com/...
Coolworks Ice Probe chiller for nano reef tanks
pentairaes.com...
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[@viking_reefing]

Good stuff mate. One interesting thing about temperature is that you can manipulate the metabolism of the animals by lowering it which can help with fish that needs to be fed often.

[@user-mu7nm8fn3y]

I love your tank and aquascape.

[@rc2300s2r]

Thank you for mentioning the temp swings that happen in nature. I went from just using my apex to control my heater to using a redundant system of an Inkbird plugged into my apex for safety and less wear and tear on the apex relay. The thing is with just the apex I could keep a much tighter temp swing. Only a .5 degree swing, or less if I wanted to with the apex. With the inkbird the best I can do is a 1.5 to 2 degree swings. This has been bothering me even though everything is doing well. Now I feel better based on your info. Thank you. 75.8-77.2 is what I’m at now and on average. Give or take a few tenths.

[@ReefMan]

I think those temperatures will be fine, as you're seeing in your tank! I was really surprised that some wild reefs do just fine with 6F degree swings - you'd catch a lot of flak on Reef2Reef I'm sure with a swing that big. I honestly didn't think coral would survive that, given how many papers are out that say a 1 or 2 Celsius degree increase in water temperature will likely mean the end of reefs as we know them. That's the difference between a temporary increase and a long term one for sure!

[@Fifthimagez]

Great video vary helpful im trying to learn as much as I can only thing I can keep alive in my tank is fish Every time I try corals it’s a waste of money so now I’m working on water quality.

[@ReefMan]

Water quality is for sure the most important thing with corals. If you’re having trouble I’d recommend doing an ICP test of some sort to see what might be in the water beyond things you’ve already tested for.

[@atfinthehouse8631]

The temperatures in our reef tanks should vary slightly throughout the day. 76F to 80 F slow ebbs and flows probably are normal.

[@gulfcoastreefer6571]

What size tank is that behind you I like it want one with a corner overflow

[@fernandosalazar730]

What heater do you recommend? For a 20 high

[@alexsulewski2497]

Is it risky to have corals shipped during winter ? Would it be better to wait until Spring to buy corals online ?

[@ReefMan]

I think it really comes down to the person shipping the coral. If it's cold outside, it should be sent in a cooler with at least one or two heat packs. If you're expecting a lot of snow, maybe hold off though - any weather that might delay your package could doom the corals inside it. On the other hand, shipping when it's very hot outside could also be bad.. responsible shippers know what they're doing though and I'd trust their judgement. I'd also look for a guarantee that things will arrive in good condition & alive.

[@PepeCoinMania]

not at all

[@paulfoxgrover7719]

Funny I was just thinking about my aquarium temperature before I saw ths notification. I have always run at 78 and now that I'm trying to let in more fresh air for PH control, I was thinking about energy savings from going a little cooler in the winter months. One concern I have is that if I have a power outage, stating at a lower temperature would be less ideal in winter months. I have backups for air pumps and a water pump but none for heaters. I have heard some folks change their Temps seasonally to save electricity and I have heard of some folks doing the opposite for a little bit of a failsafe, running hotter in the winter and colder in the summer. Do you run your temperature the same year round?

[@ReefMan]

I use the same temperature all year because that’s what wild reefs generally experience near the equator. They’re adapted to pretty stable water temperatures.

[@seancolinclark]

👍👍

[@PepeCoinMania]

most of tanks does not need a heater at all

[@rja9784]

Soooo you’re telling me there’s not a correct temperature gotcha

[@ReefMan]

It’s a range of correct temperatures. Oceans change just like anywhere on the earth. There’s no one correct temperature.