Ehsan Dashti: Modern Practical Reef-Keeping | MACNA 2017

That's great, thanks very much! These MACNA presentations have been an invaluable source of information.

It's interesting to see his perspective on the methodology aspect of this system. Meaning how is is very much based on a the scientific method as opposed to dose and hope. It would be good, I think, for someone to talk more about their understanding of what some of the more obscure trace elements are used for in the natural cycles and therefore why they are important. A point you often make is that we have seen many many thriving tanks without [factor x, in this case added molybdenum for example] so some discussion on how it is used in the real reefs, and what difference it will make for our corals will be good.

I'd also want to ask a fundamental question about his three legged table. Isn't it missing a fourth leg that is the unknown biological factors (microfauna and flora)? I know Triton wants a big sump with Chaeto, but they're not advocating a full on refugium with its biodiversity.

Come to think of it, what is your view on that?

The cyanide capture discussion is obviously equally important on the larger stage; looking forward to his MACA talk. I would advocate sending the BRS camera crew to Australia for that.

Looks to digest from this one, thanks again! Looking forward to seeing what everyone else thinks.

It was mentioned in the video comments that you guys recorded almost all the talks. Can you post a list of which ones you did get and a schedule for when you expect to post them?

Thanks again!


Tony
 
Thanks for sharing this!
 
I was able to watch this one in person and while there is a fairly obvious pitch for Triton tied into the talk I find the whole "modern reef keeping" concept thought provoking. The general knowledge level of the hobby and the community that supports it has evolved so much in the last decade that even the newest reefers are now beyond simply implementing a list of recommended tasks that result in success and now exploring the science behind it all, questioning everything and looking for the next evolutions. As a result, reefers are more successful than ever and "what good looks like" and quality of our tanks has stepped up dramatically with it.

I particularly liked the triangle concept. Proper biology being the intersection of successful approaches to chemistry, filtration, and light. If we take a look at how the community has approached all three of these elements over the last decade or so there have been several evolutionary leaps in each. All of us are likely less than perfect on at least one of these legs and I don't think anyone will say we fully understand spectrum, par, and distribution of light. We are pretty far from understanding the role of even a majority of major, minor and trace elements. Even with filtration, we have a list of methods which achieve some desired results but a lot of unknowns tried to how each impacts other elements of the tank. One of the biggest questions for me is also the role of the potential fourth leg which is nutritional sources outside of light like the addition of nitrate, phosphate, amino acids, carbohydrates and pray or particulate foods.

To his credit, If you really take the time to read and understand Ehsan's approach with the Triton method it certainly comes across as a pretty compelling approach to what I would call a modern reefing method. The method certainly is the accumulation of a lot of what we have learned in the last decade applied to that triangle of chemistry, filtration, and light to achieve proper biology. Certainly, not the only modern method and I find the general evolution of the conversation and challenging old schools of thought to be pretty exciting.
 
It sort of is "common sense" when you think about it - water changes are mostly done for nutrient reduction, which means that you have insufficient natural filtration/export. Of course trace elements are going to slowly be used and replaced with water changes, but we're already dosing the three higher consumption elements (Alk, Ca, Mg) so it makes total sense to take the next step into the other elements our corals use for growth. If we can get testing of these elements to a point where they're cheap and reliable, dosing and adequate nutrient export should become another method for reef keeping.

Economically, it might only make sense for larger water volumes, much like using a calc reactor vs dosing 2 part/kalkwasser for smaller volume/demanding tanks.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

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