Name the top way to healthy tanks

[Timfish]

Interesting info on sponges.
My current sytem has 50% live rock and is covered in sponges under all the rocks.
I have always used live rock, since the 80's, and feel its why I have had great success over the years.

I can remember when I firist heard about Steve Tyree's sponge filtration it seemed so obvious and his corals were part of why I stopped using skimmers back in the 90s. It still blew my mind though reading de Goiej's research just how fast sponges were recycling DOC and putting it back into the food webs. Literally doubling in just a few hours but not growing?!?! I think the papers listed are just scratching the surface of thier roles in maintaining healthy reef ecosystems.

 

[saltyfins]

If you need identification, of anything...turn on the white lights, so everyone can see, what you see. Cant see much under blue lights.

 

[X-37B]

I can remember when I firist heard about Steve Tyree's sponge filtration it seemed so obvious and his corals were part of why I stopped using skimmers. It still blew my mind though reading de Goiej's research just how fast sponges were recycling DOC and putting it back into the food webs. Literally doubling in just a few hours but not growing?!?! I think the papers listed are just scratching the surface of thier roles in maintaining healthy reef ecosystems.

Interesting thoughts on skimmers.
I am on the other side and would not run a system without a skimmer.
I practice heavy in and heavy out and do not feed the corals only the fish.
I have 15 fish in my 120.
I run a very over size skimmer, Tunze 9430dc, and a 7" filter sock and thats it.
I feed 8-10 cubes a day.

 

[Midrats]

Read The Reef Aquarium I, II, and III. The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium is another good series.