how hot is too hot?

salty420

this fish was coming on to me
Mar 8, 2007
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Sugar Grove, IL
so as the temp outside climbs so does the temp in my tank. the last few days it's been lingering around 83 degrees and sometimes even above. nothing seems at all bothered by the temp, all the corals my fish, inverts and nems have been acting totally normal (except the midas blenny going carpet surfing). i fear that the corals might not want to open up in the heat but they are opening fully. i try adding ice in bags to the sump but it melts so fast and hardly makes a dent on the temperature. i cannot afford a chiller. i guess that i'll have to raise my lights, they are very close to the top of the tank, only about 6 or so inches off the top (2x250w HQI with 4x54w T5's). i have no idea how i'll do this tho as i can't hang them... i already have a fan running across the top of the tank so i can't really think of any other options - anyone have any ideas?
 
OMG Jupiter jumped? Did you catch him in time or no? I am SO sorry to hear that!

My tank temp stays up pretty high too, around 83. I'm going to get a fan and clip into the sump, but everyone I've asked and everything I've read has said that it's not going to cause a problem, unless you have any species that really need cooler water, like deep water species, I guess. Anyway, I've heard that putting a fan on the sump will help cool down the tank.
 
You didn't put let the ice melt into the tank water did you? I only ask because a few years ago, when I very first go into the hobby, I did this with out thinking and let all that chlorine into the water and killed a few fish. :( thats what I get for not thinking...
 
I believe 86f (30c) is pretty much the limit of most marine animals. Anything over that for any period of time can do damage. My tanks go to around 85f in summer, but only on really hot days. I also think that SPS (acropora, etc) are the most affected by temp.
 
I was a little worried when I built my new hood that it would keep too much heat in (I have an 8 bulb t5 system) so I built in two 120mm cooling fans which blow across the lights and water surface. They kick in whenever the full lighting is on. Never goes above 81f now.
 
oh Salty, I'm SO sorry to hear that about Jupiter. Did you have eggcrate or anything up there? Just wondering if he got through a small hole or what. I am getting my Midas in a few weeks and I don't want to take any chances.

Really sorry for your loss.
 
What temps does everybody keep their houses at? I always see these posts about summer temps and tank temps and just don't understand.

I like to stay cool just as much as my fish do and I keep my thermostat set at 70 deg all during the summer. With one fan over display, it's easy to keep my tank at 77 with halides and T5 actinics running.
 
The hottest I have seen my tank hit is 85.6 and no ill effects...I think if it starts climbing towards 89 you are in for a not so pleasant surprise. The AVERAGE around the world for reefs is 82 so hope for the best I guess huh?
 
I don't have AC here in the UK but occassionally (very rarely) we do get some hot days! I have a double fan over my sump which is on a timer daily and for when it gets really hot I have a fan (set of 4) on the main tank.
 
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