What temperature should saltwater fish aquariums be kept at? This is often a question many new saltwater fish tank keepers are unsure about and there is actually more then one right answer.

If you are only keeping a saltwater fish aquarium and no other invertebrates other then crabs and snails you can generally get away with keeping your tank around 75-76 degrees Fahrenheit.

This lower tank temperature will keep the oxygen levels high in your tank and keep your fishes metabolisms at a normal rate.

If you are keeping live corals or delicate invertebrates like shrimps and live corals that come from shallower reef areas you need to keep your saltwater aquarium around 77-79 degrees. This temperature will also keep your corals metabolisms in the normal range

Anything less then 77 degrees and you may start to see reduced activity or corals that do not open fully due to the lower temperatures.

The highest you ever want your tank to go is about 81-82 degrees. If it goes higher then that you may need to invest in a chiller to control the temperature in your tank.

However many experts argue that captive corals grow faster at higher temperatures but it is a fine balance and a risky one at that. At higher temperatures oxygen levels can fall and animals metabolisms can increase to the point where they need more food.

Problem algae also seems to be more common in systems that have higher  tank temperatures, this is thought to be because the lower oxygen levels provide a better environment for the algae to grow in.

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