What is the highest temperature you have kept reef fish in?

[betareef]

I have a tank that is reaching 90 degrees F this Summer so far and I am struggling with it. While some leather coral and morphs seem to be tolerating it, I have had fish die of unknown causes - although I am suspecting temperature. I haven't gone down the route of setting up fans, and I don't really want to use a chiller.

Just wondering what the absolute max temperature is?

 

[FUNGI]

wow....90F is pretty high....I would think all corals would have died......
My highest ever was 85 before signs of trouble started showing up......

 

[braaap]

If my tank hits 82 I’m taking steps to immediately cool it.

I run my tank at 77.

 

[akossard]

around 84 for a day, my tanksitter accidentaly disconnected the cooler fan. 90 is asking for trouble

 

[drivingmecrazy]

It gets 86 in the keys during the summer. Yes some corals are stressed at that temperature others are fine depending on species.

 

[betareef]

Steps are being taken, literally. I have moved the tank, just this morning, away from a window and western side of the house, to a mid-position. Now watching the temperature and even looking at cheap chillers from Amazon

 

[Reefer Matt]

I have a tank that is reaching 90 degrees F this Summer so far and I am struggling with it. While some leather coral and morphs seem to be tolerating it, I have had fish die of unknown causes - although I am suspecting temperature. I haven't gone down the route of setting up fans, and I don't really want to use a chiller.

Just wondering what the absolute max temperature is?

Higher water temps equal lower oxygen in the water. I’d get an air stone in the tank asap at that temp.

 

[betareef]

around 84 for a day, my tanksitter accidentaly disconnected the cooler fan. 90 is asking for trouble

How much did your fan lower the temperature?

 

[formallydehyde]

A window air conditioning unit might be cheaper than a water chiller.

 

[betareef]

Higher water temps equal lower oxygen in the water. I’d get an air stone in the tank asap at that temp.

I have fairly high water flow turnover. Advice used to be that that is just as good as an airstone. Don't tell me this is yet another thing the hobby has changed it's mind about over the years

 

[betareef]

A window air conditioning unit might be cheaper than a water chiller.

The room has a huge airconditioner, but we don't run it while we are feeling comfortable. I like the open windows and fresh air movement. No-way I would be allowed to run the aircon all day.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I have fairly high water flow turnover. Advice used to be that that is just as good as an airstone. Don't tell me this is yet another thing the hobby has changed it's mind about over the years

Hotter water cannot hold as much oxygen as cooler water. This isn’t a new thing, and may be why you are losing fish.

How Does Temperature Affect Dissolved Oxygen? | Atlas Scientific

As temperature levels increase, the amount of dissolved oxygen in water decreases due to the inverse relationship between dissolved oxygen and temperature. Dissolved oxygen (DO) describes how much…

atlas-scientific.com

 

[formallydehyde]

The room has a huge airconditioner, but we don't run it while we are feeling comfortable. I like the open windows and fresh air movement. No-way I would be allowed to run the aircon all day.

Can you shut the door to the room and run it at least? Your animals clearly aren't comfortable...

 

[betareef]

Hotter water cannot hold as much oxygen as cooler water. This isn’t a new thing, and may be why you are losing fish.

How Does Temperature Affect Dissolved Oxygen? | Atlas Scientific

As temperature levels increase, the amount of dissolved oxygen in water decreases due to the inverse relationship between dissolved oxygen and temperature. Dissolved oxygen (DO) describes how much…

atlas-scientific.com

Of course hot water cannot hold as much oxygen. When I first got a fish tank (in the 60s) I was told that the flow from a good pump is just as good as an airstone, and that it wasn't the bubbles from the airstone so much, that makes it add air, as the bubbles stirring the water. My water flow actually boils the water over at the surface in one part of the tank, exposing the water to the air. However, I accept that, as with all hobbies, people have different ideas, and the current wisdom changes with time.

 

[betareef]

Can you shut the door to the room and run it at least? Your animals clearly aren't comfortable...

No it's an open plan house.

 

[formallydehyde]

No it's an open plan house.

Then just deal with having the windows shut until the heat dies down a bit?

 

[betareef]

Then just deal with having the windows shut until the heat dies down a bit?

You see, it's not that hot. It's only 75 degrees at the moment outside. This is why I moved the tank. I figured it had to be getting hot from the window and the western wall.

Being a closed top tank with internal lights, that also is a source of heat, hence looking at fans or coolers.

 

[KrisReef]

Of course hot water cannot hold as much oxygen. When I first got a fish tank (in the 60s) I was told that the flow from a good pump is just as good as an airstone, and that it wasn't the bubbles from the airstone so much, that makes it add air, as the bubbles stirring the water. My water flow actually boils the water over at the surface in one part of the tank, exposing the water to the air. However, I accept that, as with all hobbies, people have different ideas, and the current wisdom changes with time.

A 90 degree tank with “high water movement” or with an air stone will still tend to smother your fish. It’s not the exposure to air it’s the fact that hot water has lower dissolved oxygen and can’t raise oxygen levels in it.

When you heat water on the stove you can see the dissolved gases leaving because higher temperature means lower dissolved gases can be held in the water column.

The temperature is not killing the fish they are being starved of oxygen in the low oxygen environment present in warmer waters.

Its physical chemistry and its importance is critical at elevated water temperatures.

How Does Temperature Affect Dissolved Oxygen? | Atlas Scientific

As temperature levels increase, the amount of dissolved oxygen in water decreases due to the inverse relationship between dissolved oxygen and temperature. Dissolved oxygen (DO) describes how much…

atlas-scientific.com

 

[Ryan Souza]

My tank runs 82 to 84.5 depending on time of year, in florida. All acros, have no problems with coral or fish, but I know I'm on the higher end. Personally I wouldn't let it go too much higher than where I'm at.

 

[workhz]

If it’s out of direct sunlight then that will help immensely. Also, why closed top? Can it be opened?

Do you have a sump? A fan across the sump really helps. If there’s a canopy then a fan extracting hot air will also help.

Look at what’s creating heat. Lights? Maybe switch to black box cheap LED.