Thanks again to everyone for your kind words and understanding over the past weekend following the passing of my father. Myself and my family, and for that matter, the staff at Unique Corals, appreciate your understanding. It was a difficult time for me, but it's time to get back to normal. And for those of you who experienced a decline in our usual snappy customer service- Your patience was appreciated. It's back to business as usual.
Let's get to today's topic...
Okay, “they†say that there are no “sure things†in reef keeping, and on the surface, I’m inclined to agree. However, there are some things that you can do that will simply tempt the “reef Gods’ to kick your butt more than others, trust me. If you're honest with yourself, you'll see the logic in my assertions!
Here are a few things that you will no doubt find can lead to exceptionally bad outcomes if you’re not careful and try one of these risky maneuvers with your reef:
Never move “just a couple of rocks†around in your aquascape within an hour of going to sleep at night- particularly on a week night, or before a morning when you just have to wake up early! Trust me, you won’t be getting restful sleep any time soon. It’s almost a certainty that moving one rock with the intention of “opening up space†or making a minor “tweakâ€, will lead to you pulling out a dozen rocks, or even the whole aquascape before the job is done, which could take hours and hours without completion. In fact, the job may not be done for days! At some point, after numerous attempts to “correct†things, you’ll throw in the towel, and try to just make things “the way they were†before your started this futile endeavor…And guess what? You’ll NEVER be able to re-create what you had before…total bummer, which will take hours and hours to correct. Just don’t do it, trust me.
Melev knows to NEVER tweak an aquascape on a whim..EVER!!
Changing light bulbs or lighting before a trip- This one is like the “kiss of death!†I mean, really, changing light bulbs is no big deal, right? Oh, trust me, it is, especially when the new bulbs are a different spectrum (like T5’s), or if you’re changing lighting formats from Halide to LED, for example. Not only will the corals react a bit differently when you expect- they will undoubtedly demonstrate their apparent displeasure at the worst possible time (like when you are away), and you may come back to a disaster in the making, or worse! Yeah, it really happens…Don’t ask me why, but it’s nerve-wracking enough just doing such a change when you’re going to be home…but if you’re leaving town- be ready to replace some corals upon your return…yikes!
Tweaking controller settings…Or, for that matter, installing a controller! -Oh, sure, controllers are great tools for aquarium management, and I think highly of them…But tweaking settings must be done: a) Very early in the day, on a day when you’re not going anywhere, b) for only one or two parameters at a time (like temp or light timing), and c) Never within 2 days of leaving on any kind of trip…(sensing a theme here?) Bad idea- really bad- to make any kind of controller change before leaving town. Inevitably, you’ll realize that you had the wrong start time for your lights, or forgot to properly program the max intensity time, or…whatever. The upside is that most of the better controllers (love our Neptune Systems Apex!) allow you to correct or tweak remotely (which is good and bad!). Again, controllers= good. Changing things on controllers when you don’t have time to monitor= BAD.
Remember when you used to have to set the VCR to record something? Yeah, I get flashbacks...
Turning the ball valve on your protein skimmer when you’re in a hurry, because you want to make a “quick adjustment.†-You’re sooo screwed! I mean, there is no such thing as a “quick adjustment†to a protein skimmer…They’re totally finicky, and a sure ticket to headaches when you’re in a hurry…Or even when you aren’t, right? The same caution applies to making adjustments to your CO2 solenoid or feed valve on a reactor…ridiculously small adjustments are the only way to go…I mean, almost non-existent changes…Air/water mix ratios, chemical feeds, and other dynamics can just get screwed over so easily it’s not even funny. Subtlety and time are everything with these kinds of changes. If you rush them, have plenty of Tylenol or other pain reliever available- it’s a virtual certainty that headaches will be waiting for you when you’re done.
"High quality ball valves allow easy, small adjustments..."...Um, yeah...right.
Taking a chance on that Angelfish that was a perfect citizen in your buddy’s reef tank. -Are you KIDDING ME? SERIOUSLY? NO! NO! NO! It’s a virtual guarantee that the innocuous Coral Beauty that resided in your buddy’s 400 gallon “SPS†reef for 7 years without incident will suddenly develop a great appetite for Acans or Chalices. Your really rare, pricy ones. I mean, you can practically take it to the bank! Same goes for the anemone that never moved in your friend’s reef. Ask yourself, if the animal is such a model citizen, why is he or she getting rid of it? Prepare for knocked-over corals- or worse. Why on earth reefers even think of tempting fate by trying these sorts of “additions†is beyond me sometimes!
"He was a PERFECT citizen in my reef...really"
Skipping quarantine with that new addition- This isn't just superstition talking- it’s firmly grounded in reality..Skipping quarantine with one fish, or one coral, can open up your entire system to a limitless number of diseases or other maladies that can create dire consequences for your reef. Totally not worth it. Quarantine is a vital, logical practice that is employed by every public aquarium on the planet, and scores of successful hobbyists everywhere. You definitely are playing “Russian Roulette†with your reef if you skip this practice. Even if you know the source, have observed the fish repeatedly at the store or in its prior owners’ reef, it’s not worth it. Trust me. Totally not worth it.
Going to a frag swap with the intention of just “checking stuff outâ€- Please, seriously? You have just about guaranteed that you’re going to leave with frags of something. In fact, you’ll probably leave with frags of several “somethingsâ€. Frag swaps are irresistible to reefers, and the generosity of hobbyists is well documented. “Oh, you’re a newbie? Here- have a frag of this Xenia, and this Birdsnest…Super easy to keep…Can’t lose!†Even if you didn’t bring money, you’ll leave with way more than you intended. I have seen numerous times where reefers even ended up borrowing from their teenage kid to grab a frag (because he was determined not to tempt him/herself by bringing cash to the event). So my advice if you’re attending a frag swap? Bring cash. Bring a cooler. Leave restraint at home.
"I don't do frags." Seriously? Get over yourself.
Okay, so that was just a quick rundown of “sure things†in the reef hobby. I mean, there aren’t that many certainties in this game, are there? Well, actually, there are. Sure, I focused on a few with some potentially bad consequences…There are no doubt countless others with the possibility of better outcomes…but it’s far more fun to highlight the bad ones, isn’t it? OL
So, let’s hear your “Sure things†in the reef hobby? I know that you’ve got way many more examples of this that you can add to our “Sure things†database!
As always, we appreciate your opinions, ideas, input, and humor. Thanks in advance for your participation!
Stay Wet,
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
Let's get to today's topic...
Okay, “they†say that there are no “sure things†in reef keeping, and on the surface, I’m inclined to agree. However, there are some things that you can do that will simply tempt the “reef Gods’ to kick your butt more than others, trust me. If you're honest with yourself, you'll see the logic in my assertions!
Here are a few things that you will no doubt find can lead to exceptionally bad outcomes if you’re not careful and try one of these risky maneuvers with your reef:
Never move “just a couple of rocks†around in your aquascape within an hour of going to sleep at night- particularly on a week night, or before a morning when you just have to wake up early! Trust me, you won’t be getting restful sleep any time soon. It’s almost a certainty that moving one rock with the intention of “opening up space†or making a minor “tweakâ€, will lead to you pulling out a dozen rocks, or even the whole aquascape before the job is done, which could take hours and hours without completion. In fact, the job may not be done for days! At some point, after numerous attempts to “correct†things, you’ll throw in the towel, and try to just make things “the way they were†before your started this futile endeavor…And guess what? You’ll NEVER be able to re-create what you had before…total bummer, which will take hours and hours to correct. Just don’t do it, trust me.
Melev knows to NEVER tweak an aquascape on a whim..EVER!!
Changing light bulbs or lighting before a trip- This one is like the “kiss of death!†I mean, really, changing light bulbs is no big deal, right? Oh, trust me, it is, especially when the new bulbs are a different spectrum (like T5’s), or if you’re changing lighting formats from Halide to LED, for example. Not only will the corals react a bit differently when you expect- they will undoubtedly demonstrate their apparent displeasure at the worst possible time (like when you are away), and you may come back to a disaster in the making, or worse! Yeah, it really happens…Don’t ask me why, but it’s nerve-wracking enough just doing such a change when you’re going to be home…but if you’re leaving town- be ready to replace some corals upon your return…yikes!
Tweaking controller settings…Or, for that matter, installing a controller! -Oh, sure, controllers are great tools for aquarium management, and I think highly of them…But tweaking settings must be done: a) Very early in the day, on a day when you’re not going anywhere, b) for only one or two parameters at a time (like temp or light timing), and c) Never within 2 days of leaving on any kind of trip…(sensing a theme here?) Bad idea- really bad- to make any kind of controller change before leaving town. Inevitably, you’ll realize that you had the wrong start time for your lights, or forgot to properly program the max intensity time, or…whatever. The upside is that most of the better controllers (love our Neptune Systems Apex!) allow you to correct or tweak remotely (which is good and bad!). Again, controllers= good. Changing things on controllers when you don’t have time to monitor= BAD.
Remember when you used to have to set the VCR to record something? Yeah, I get flashbacks...
Turning the ball valve on your protein skimmer when you’re in a hurry, because you want to make a “quick adjustment.†-You’re sooo screwed! I mean, there is no such thing as a “quick adjustment†to a protein skimmer…They’re totally finicky, and a sure ticket to headaches when you’re in a hurry…Or even when you aren’t, right? The same caution applies to making adjustments to your CO2 solenoid or feed valve on a reactor…ridiculously small adjustments are the only way to go…I mean, almost non-existent changes…Air/water mix ratios, chemical feeds, and other dynamics can just get screwed over so easily it’s not even funny. Subtlety and time are everything with these kinds of changes. If you rush them, have plenty of Tylenol or other pain reliever available- it’s a virtual certainty that headaches will be waiting for you when you’re done.
"High quality ball valves allow easy, small adjustments..."...Um, yeah...right.
Taking a chance on that Angelfish that was a perfect citizen in your buddy’s reef tank. -Are you KIDDING ME? SERIOUSLY? NO! NO! NO! It’s a virtual guarantee that the innocuous Coral Beauty that resided in your buddy’s 400 gallon “SPS†reef for 7 years without incident will suddenly develop a great appetite for Acans or Chalices. Your really rare, pricy ones. I mean, you can practically take it to the bank! Same goes for the anemone that never moved in your friend’s reef. Ask yourself, if the animal is such a model citizen, why is he or she getting rid of it? Prepare for knocked-over corals- or worse. Why on earth reefers even think of tempting fate by trying these sorts of “additions†is beyond me sometimes!
"He was a PERFECT citizen in my reef...really"
Skipping quarantine with that new addition- This isn't just superstition talking- it’s firmly grounded in reality..Skipping quarantine with one fish, or one coral, can open up your entire system to a limitless number of diseases or other maladies that can create dire consequences for your reef. Totally not worth it. Quarantine is a vital, logical practice that is employed by every public aquarium on the planet, and scores of successful hobbyists everywhere. You definitely are playing “Russian Roulette†with your reef if you skip this practice. Even if you know the source, have observed the fish repeatedly at the store or in its prior owners’ reef, it’s not worth it. Trust me. Totally not worth it.
Going to a frag swap with the intention of just “checking stuff outâ€- Please, seriously? You have just about guaranteed that you’re going to leave with frags of something. In fact, you’ll probably leave with frags of several “somethingsâ€. Frag swaps are irresistible to reefers, and the generosity of hobbyists is well documented. “Oh, you’re a newbie? Here- have a frag of this Xenia, and this Birdsnest…Super easy to keep…Can’t lose!†Even if you didn’t bring money, you’ll leave with way more than you intended. I have seen numerous times where reefers even ended up borrowing from their teenage kid to grab a frag (because he was determined not to tempt him/herself by bringing cash to the event). So my advice if you’re attending a frag swap? Bring cash. Bring a cooler. Leave restraint at home.
"I don't do frags." Seriously? Get over yourself.
Okay, so that was just a quick rundown of “sure things†in the reef hobby. I mean, there aren’t that many certainties in this game, are there? Well, actually, there are. Sure, I focused on a few with some potentially bad consequences…There are no doubt countless others with the possibility of better outcomes…but it’s far more fun to highlight the bad ones, isn’t it? OL
So, let’s hear your “Sure things†in the reef hobby? I know that you’ve got way many more examples of this that you can add to our “Sure things†database!
As always, we appreciate your opinions, ideas, input, and humor. Thanks in advance for your participation!
Stay Wet,
Scott Fellman
Unique Corals
Past that anything is fair game.
