[swmcnally]

I am new to the marine aquarium world and I am in the process of setting up a new reef aquarium (55 Gal.). I purchased a new electronic thermometer which mounts on the outside of the tank with a sensor that is placed in the tank. To make a long story short, after have a lot of difficulty maintaining a steady temperature, I realized that the thermometer was set to read air temp. and not water temp. I figured this out after I place 20 lbs of live rock in the tank. The actual temperature was around 100 degrees while the thermometer was reading 75 - 80 degrees. I am showing low levels of Nitrite, Nitrate and amonia. Do you think this extreme temperature killed the organisms in the live rock. I appreciate anyones opinion here.
Thanks

[Reefland]

I think it had an impact for sure, but if you get the temperature straightened out I don't think all is lost, especially once you add some new, additional rock to the tank.

[swmcnally]

Thanks! I plan to add another 20 lbs this weekend.

[scubadude]

Look for die-off ...alot of times its black in coloration and can start a moldy looking process...if you suspect die-off then take the rock out and smell it...if it smells real foul than take a tooth brush and clean off the die off while the rock is out of the tank. I doubt you will have to do this though unless you kept the water @ that temp for a real long time.

[swmcnally]

Thanks for the input. I will keep an eye on it. So far it seems OK. The tank cycled.