how hot should I keep my reef at? right now its 80.

I like to keep mine at 79-80. The key to solid growth and healthy specimens.......stability. Try to minimize swings in your temperature. The more stable your water parameters are......the better off your tank will be. :) My buddy keeps his at 87......its healthy as a horse...his stuff grows quick as anything. The higher temperature allows the corals metabolism to speed up, just like a human, therefor everything speeds up as far as digesting....including bacteria. The problem with running it that warm is lower levels of oxygen are allowed in the water. But 87-89 is a bit extreme...you have to be a hard core hobbiest to run it that warm. Besides...if his tank were to hit 89-90, most of his stuff would die....but evidently hes just that good. lol