Observation on My Reef Temperature

[Reef92109]

During my last water change (about 10 days ago) I increased my chiller to 81 degrees (was set at 79) so it doesn't kick on while I clean my tank.

Well, I forgot to change it back and noticed my Acropora polyps really extended on all my corals and everthing looking really full. I was wondering what changed and then noticed the temperature is now 81 - 82 degrees. I'll have to keep an eye on things but the increased temperature seems to be a good thing. I have excellent current (about 2,100 gallons an hour) and oxygen exchange (two skimmers) so I don't see too much risk.

I have a 55g SPS tank.

 

[Len]

I've noticed this "phenomenon" as well, although I'm not convinced it's an indication of better health. Instead, my two theories for the increased polyp extension are:
1) respiration. The higher the tempature, the lower the O2 content in the water. To compensate, corals may extend their polyps further for more surface area for gas exchange.
2) higher metabolism. With higher metabolism due to elevated temperature, corals and/or zooxanthellae may require more nutrient/energy import and export, and thus the extended polyps.

I could be wrong Whatever the case is, 81 degrees is definitely a reasonable temperature so if everything is looking good, I'd keep it that way

 

[Reef92109]

I agree, the increase in respiration/metobolic rate may be causing the full polyp extension. The corals look great so far, even my new wild colonies are opened up. My tank is packed but the water conditions are great so I'll watch it closely to see if any problems occur. I am just amazed at what a couple of degrees has done.

 

[Len]

Yup, a few degrees matters quite a bit. Remember, a two degree drop in global temperature killed of 2/3rds of all large mammals during the Ice Age

You wouldn't happen to have any pictures of your tank, would you? I just love seeing eye candy 8)

 

[Robin Goodfellow]

hi.
Len, that is a bit misleading, albeit a true statement....

 

[Anonymous]

My tank runs 81 - 82 all summer long without any problems. I wouldn't worry about it. In fact, you should go ahead and run it at 81 and save some money on the power bill.

Louey

 

[Reef92109]

I took some pictures before the increase in temperature but I do not have a way to condense the files down so I can post. Most of my full tank shots didn't turn out that well but I did get a few close ups.

I'll have to work on getting some pictures posted since I know everyone loves to look at tanks.

 

[dtiedke]

I know what you are talking about. I have the same thing happening in my reef. Below is a red flowerpot I bought. I was attracted to this coral because of the tiny, tightly packed polyps. Well, since placing into my reef, it has expanded to what you see below. Each polyp is about an inch and a half extended (was just a fraction of an inch at the LFS). My reef averages 82 degrees.

I also notice the Xenia, frogspawn, and hammer/ancors also exibit the same extension....


Dave

P.S. Anyone who owns a Nikon 5700 and knows how to get the exposure correct in manual mode please PM me...I need help with this camera.

 

[jorcutt]

Looks NICE dtiedke. I'm guessing the extension on the flowerpot might be due more to being in a healthier system than temp. Just curious, by the way...did that come from Irv?

 

[dtiedke]

No....I bought it at Upscales in Tualatin Oregon. Cost me a hundred bucks as I guess the "red" ones are rare....The picture really doesn't do it justice. This thing is really red, not the orange color in the pic. My camera is new and I am still trying to figure it out...


Dave