Are you too focus on parameters?

[Bacon505]

I often time like to read posts on here and the majority of the posts i saw are all about numbers. Many posts questioning about their tank parameters if theirs are too high or too low. Too much or too little. Then people start adding stuff to their tank because the #s is not where it should be.
reading all these post making me feel like watching a great action movie but reading subtitles. I’ll be too focus reading the subtitles and missing out on all the action. Yes i would understand what the characters are saying but missing out on all the importance of what the movie is showing.
i know we all like pictures in posts so i’ll add some for all the kids out there

 

[Nanojoe]

I read a great article (wish i remembered where or what it was titled so i could link it). The author of it was an "Old School" reefer, talked about how they never really tested or knew much about nitrate and phosphate and reflected on how well their aquariums did. Compared it to today where we have this emphasis and stress of having low nutrients...
Since then we obviously learned that lowering those numbers we could achieve less headache in respect to algae.
Personally, in short, i am not. I feel it takes away from the hobby and causes a bit of stress when this is suppose to be a stress free hobby. i say that lightly lol. Now that may change as time goes on since i am gearing towards harder corals too keep. We will see. For now, i am enjoying the first few months of journey my tank is taking me on. I am happy thus far. The way it should be.

 

[brmreefer]

Personally "yes" and "no," but probably more towards "yes." I actually enjoy seeing the numbers, and still enjoy how the system slowly changes over time.

Reason: I strive for the typical numbers found in nature, however understand that there are systems out there successful in achieving great results and have parameters out of the norm (either by experimentation or targeted #s).

My main focus has and will always be "stability."

If I have a parameter that strays or starts to stray too far, I don't panic because drastic changes can lead to negative affects on inhabitants (especially corals) in my system.

To each their own when managing their systems, however in my opinion some set themselves up for failure when adjusting too many parameters at once at put themselves in a position to not be able pinpoint which parameter was the cause of a negative or positive change.

 

[Uncle99]

I never did too well in this hobby until consistently watching numbers at least in year one. It’s not as much as any one number or range, rather, how stable can you keep that chemistry, corals are more tolerant of range, but hate change.

 

[Bacon505]

Many have try to achieved ideal # without considering the inhabitants in their system

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I think it just depends on what your trying to accomplish. In my reef I only test alk, Cal, and Po4 about once a month and do just fine. No other tests (but acros do hate my tank). In my fowlr I have never ran any tests. These people that are constantly testing their fish only tanks or softy tanks are wasting their time imo