I'm just as smart as that guy!! What the heck?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

"Wow you have an amazing tank" so are you smarter than me? I don't think so.

In this hobby you'll face trial and tribulations just like anything else in life. Joyous times and sad times. Growing times and just plain ignorant times! That being said have you ever seen someone else's amazing tank and think to yourself, "I'm just as smart as that guy?"

I don't mean this to sound bad or judgemental trust me, but I've known people and based on what I know about them and have seen of them I'm kinda shocked at how successful they really are when it comes to growing corals in their reef tank. There are many things we can successfully do in a reef tank but for argument sake let's talk GROWING CORALS! When I say growing corals I mean things like, corals are thriving, corals are colorful, corals are growing, etc.

So WHY oh why am I struggling to keep monti caps alive or keep basic "beginner" corals alive much less keeping them colorful? This is a rhetorical question because for some reason my "new" tank just started clicking and corals are growing and sps are colorful and coralline is the most dominant algae! My new, almost 1 1/2 year old tank is doing better than ever!

I'm just as smart right? So what the heck am I doing now that I wasn't doing then?

Honestly?

I'm hesitant to say because of the newer methods of maintaining a reef tank but for me I believe it's as simple an answer as this, water changes! Could that be the final piece to the puzzle? I've added more flow, I've added more equipment, I've added UV, I've tweaked my CUC, I've changed my filters, I've done this and done that but not until now have I seen glimpses of glory past. Glimpses of color and growth. Glimpse of, gasp, success?

Maybe the combo of gear and measures I have taken have finally equaled something more than negative? Maybe my aquarium is reaching maturity? Maybe the water changes have been the cherry on top of the proverbial reef tank cake! Maybe it's luck?

I don't know but one thing I do know is that my reef addiction is at an all time high! As you can tell by my ramblings, quotes and exclamation points I am fully persuaded that I am on the road to reef glory!

For those of you that care I started changing about 15% of water each week for a 60% monthly turn over. That's no small feat for me and my 400+ gallon system but man for now it seems totally worth it!

For those of you who will ask for photos.....soon! It's not amazing yet but frags are growing and colors are awesome! For now here is where it all began....

Would love to hear your thoughts on this?

Are you just as smart as "the other guy?"

 

[Vahanyos]

Most people fail to realize that just like everything else, you need knowledge and experience to really know what you’re doing. Read, read, and practice!

People with amazing tanks have been there done that - they’ve been at the low, the high, the medium, etc

 

[Crabs McJones]

For the longest time, I tried mirroring what my uncle does with his two tanks. They are absolutely gorgeous. Full of SPS corals that are extremely colorful and happy. But for some reason I could not seem to get into first gear. After about 2 1/2 years of struggling, I decided to take a left turn and try my own method and I have to say so far its a night and day difference. My SPS are growing like crazy, and they're coloring up beautifully.

 

[Katrina71]

I'm just as smart as the other "guy", but with much cuter shoes. I have an open mind about keeping a tank. There is more than one way to do it successfully. I'm always learning and trying new things.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I'm just as smart as the other "guy", but with much cuter shoes. I have an open mind about keeping a tank. There is more than one way to do it successfully. I'm always learning and trying new things.

HA! When I say guy it's like "you guys" or "hey guys!" No way I'm leaving our lady reefers out!

 

[Katrina71]

HA! When I say guy it's like "you guys" or "hey guys!" No way I'm leaving our lady reefers out!

No offense taken.

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Years ago when I had my first reef tank, which I had for about 7 years it was a great tank. I had awesome coral growth, never had any sick fish. I did very little maintenance, I never tested the water, i used tap water, i didn't even run a skimmer and somehow everything just worked. Fast forward years later after my hiatus, I set up a tank again about 2 1/2 years ago, thought I was doing everything by the book, RODI water only, set up new equipment, test my parameters regularly, expensive light the whole 9 yards and I can keep coral but I've lost alot and nothing is thriving. So I guess I wish I was a smart as the guy I used to be lol.

 

[ZoWhat]

I know the majority of seasoned Reef Central people (3000+ posts) all think they're God.....

(oh no he did'ant) Oh YES I did say that!

I highly dislike RC and their Knights-of the-Roundtable cliques. "Off with their head if they don't believe in what I believe in. Dilly dilly"

That's why I'm a R2Rer.....more Vendors. More Biologists. Friendlier crowd....Less flaming from PUNKS who it's their way of thinking or the Highway...

And R2R Tastes great, less filling, low carbs and GLUTEN FREE....

 

[Flippers4pups]

Knowledge, experience, failure, success, by the book, off the beaten path, healthy coral, stressed coral.......

Oh, boy!

What's it take to be successful?

A lot of knowledge, a dash of fearlessness, a big box of money, a touch of humbleness, a sprinkle of luck, a spoonful of fortitude and a large pot of patience. Mix it together and you might be ready for a reef tank! LOL!!!!!

 

[Fudsey]

@revhtree UPDATE that build thread already ! ! ! !

 

[dbl]

I'm just glad to hear things are moving in the right direction David, regardless of how smart you or any of the other people are!

 

[JonoB]

At this point, I would say I'm not as smart as the other guy, when it comes specifically to reef tanks. Otherwise, I think I'm a purty fart smeller, so I should be able to figure this reef thing out.

That all being said, and like others have said, it seems to be more about experience and going through your own trials to figure certain things out. I like getting direction on certain topics, but sometimes figuring it out on your own makes you one of those "smart" people.


Cooling looking start to a tank..

 

[hdsoftail1065]

I admit I am far from being "smarter" than the next guy or gal when it comes to a successful reef. I have been doing this for about 6 years and Everytime I log in and start reading posts I learn something new.

I have ZERO support and don't know anyone in the hobby where I live so my education and knowlede is gained from everyone on this site or the school of hard knocks (I have a Master's degree from that school). I have never been on another site and don't plan to start, I trust the people I have met on this forum and learned a great deal from them. I have always been treated with dignity and respect. I do not want to start fishing for advice from other sites and get pulled down with bad advice or shamed because I didn't know something or asked a stupid question. Believe me, I'm full of stupid questions! No pun intended on the fishing comment!

Am I smarter than the next guy? No, but someday I will be "as" smart as the next guy.

 

[cracker]

I don't know if You folks are smarter. I do know my reef tanks looks mediocre at best. And I don't know why?

 

[Brew12]

I feel no need to be smart, I borrow other peoples intelligence!

Someone with a fish disease problem? Quote Humblefish
Someone with a cyano problem? Quote Lasse
Someone with a chemistry question? Quote RHF
Someone with a lighting question? Quote Dana Riddle
Someone with a bacteria question? Quote Dr Tim

It's easy to look smart when you can copy and paste from people like this!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I feel no need to be smart, I borrow other peoples intelligence!

Someone with a fish disease problem? Quote Humblefish
Someone with a cyano problem? Quote Lasse
Someone with a chemistry question? Quote RHF
Someone with a lighting question? Quote Dana Riddle
Someone with a bacteria question? Quote Dr Tim

It's easy to look smart when you can copy and paste from people like this!

If I had a nickel for every time lol

 

[ca1ore]

I know the majority of seasoned Reef Central people (3000+ posts) all think they're God.....

It's true, we do (17,000 posts ..... all of them brilliant, insightful and wise), though We are happy to participate here as well (note the use of the Imperial 'We').

 

[ca1ore]

I think being 'smart' correlates poorly to the success of ones tank. OK, you cannot be a complete moron, but otherwise it's much more about experience and expertise (they are not the same thing). I also think a healthy skepticism is useful.

 

[Reef-junky]

There are many ways to be successful in this hobby. A lot of times there is no one set path. What works for one person may not for another. Makes it confusing sometimes.

 

[madweazl]

I've likely made every mistake that could be made over the past 20 years but along the way, I figured a few things out. If I were smart, I wouldn't have made as many mistakes. I do believe frequent water changes to be the most beneficial thing you can do for a reef tank (though other methods obviously seem to work). I do roughly 12% weekly, I don't over-react to parameters that aren't "perfect," and I feed the fish, generously.

Early on it seemed like corals were so fragile, that anything slightly out of whack was certain death. Now it amazes me just how hardy they really are.