The "end game"...is there one?

[uniquecorals]

The other day I was perusing a forum post (yeah, I do that still!) from a guy who had recently switched over his lighting from LED’s, and was sharing pics and some comments about his results. The corals looked beautiful, and obviously were healthy, colorful, and growing. And this was a guy that was a hardcore halide user for many years (man, I made that sound like he was on heroin or something, huh?), and decided to make the big switchover on his reef to LEDs. Among the many questions he fielded from fellow reefers were numerous, repeated inquiries about how fast his corals grew under the LEDs.

Better under LEDs?

I mean, I suppose it’s a fair question, right? In the propagation game, in addition to color and health, we are all about growing corals as quickly as possible, so we can bring them to market in a relatively short period of time. However, these were hobbyist inquiries, and I wondered why “quick†growth was so important. In my reefs, I want to see growth, but the main goal is color, morphology, long-term health, then growth. Yeah, when you’re starting with a microchip frag, you want to see it fill in fairly quickly. However, I really want to see the thing look nice, too.

"Rapid growth" takes on a different context for a commercial propagator!

I was wondering if it had to do with some inherent impatience that we have as reefers- or perhaps as humans in general-a desire to see the finished product as soon as possible; something like that. And there is nothing at all wrong with that, I suppose. I just kind of wonder what the big rush is? I guess, when we view a reef aquarium in the same context as a home improvement project, meal preparation, or algebra test, I can see how rapid growth would take on a greater significance!

On the other hand, if you look at a reef aquarium as you would a garden- an organic, living, evolving, growing entity- then the need to see the thing “finished†becomes much less important. Suddenly, much like a “road tripâ€, the destination becomes less important than the journey. It’s about the experiences gleaned along the way. Enjoyment of the developments, the process. IS there even a “finish line†to a reef aquarium?

Is a reef aquarium ever really "finished?" Ask Joe Yaiullo what he thinks.

Which brought me into one of my philosophical ponderings. I mean, to most reef hobbyists, what’s more important? Rapid growth, appearance, or some other factor? And why? I suppose if I ask 100 hobbyists, I’ll receive 100 different answers, but I am more curious about the prevailing attitudes among reefers.

And, to add to the equation, there is the simple, but inescapable fact that a reef aquarium can be a real PAIN sometimes- challenging us and testing our skills, patience, commitment, desire, and oh- yeah- our finances! It’s never as easy as just starting up a reef aquarium, doing “A-B-C-D†and ending up with this killer system. There are all sorts of challenging twists and turns along the way. And really, what fun would it be anyways if that’s all that there was to it, right?

SO, to get back to my original question…What do you feel is more important with your corals- Fast growth or great looking specimens…or some combination of both? And why? I pose the question again that I posed above: Is a reef aquarium ever really “done?†Is there some point of finality when you just say, “Okay, I don’t want to change anything, add anything, take out anything?†Is this even possible? Would you want that? I mean, when there is nothing more to do but change water, tweak a few gadgets, and feed, is it still an enjoyable hobby? Is THAT a hobby in and of itself? Further, have you EVER gotten a reef to that stage?

It's definitely not as easy as just flipping a switch and engaging the "autopilot", huh?


Sure, the reality is that a reef aquarium is not a static entity, and will continue to encompass life, death, and everything in between for as long as it’s in existence. Yet, what is it that really happens in a truly “mature†reef aquarium? There might be some competition between corals that results in one or more species dominating all of the rest…or does diversity continue to win, with lots of corals and other life forms eeking out an existence in your artificial ocean, just as they have managed to do for eons in nature?

In nature, diversity seems to win in the long term!

I’d especially like to hear from reefers that have had a reef aquarium running for a really extended period of time, like 10 years, 15 years…or longer. (Paul B., I know you’re out there…your reef must be approaching another milestone in reef longevity soon, right?)

Heavy duty questions, huh? But interesting ones, nonetheless, aren’t they?

Your thoughts? Discuss, please.

Until next time…


Stay Wet

Scott Fellman
Unique Corals

 

[Aquaph8]

I'm to that point where I love new fish and coral but if something comes something has to or probably should go. It does take some restraint when you get to that point or a bigger tank I guess. I guess that's really awhile bother challenge in itself though, right? Yeah you packed them all in there but can you make it work long term. I'm with you Scott, color definitely comes first for me.

 

[Unknown]

I think that (for me at least) reef growth was most important to me. I am a Zoa farmer and I can remember the first time I witnessed a fully mature Zoa tank. I was in awe, I knew from that moment on, I wanted a mature Zoa tank. Zoas top to bottom. I've done so much research into making Zoas grow faster; I always come back to the same thing...Patience. Once, I let go of trying to speed things along, I started to appreciate every stage of the journey.

 

[Noob]

i have LED's (a Maxspect Razor and AI Sol) for both my tanks and i'm actually thinking about switching over to T5's b/c although my corals seem to grow fine under LED's, i believe their color could be better under T5's. most notably, i bought some Acans and Chalices from a sponsor here and they have lost some color under my LED's. i also, think my acros would get better coloration under T5's vs LED's. i know nutrients matter and i dose Red Sea Reef Energy every other day.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Is there an 'End Game'? Good question, Scott. Hmmm...best answer to that is probably 'Can be'. Much depends on the maturity of the reefer IMO. Someone who's had 30 years in reefing is likely not going to be as frantic to buy 'Joe Shmoe's Over the Top Bodacious Set Your Pants on Fire Acro' (or any other coral) as someone new to the hobby, so his/her tank will very likely be more static.

Having kept reef tanks for quite a while now, I get the most enjoyment out of seeing healthy, colorful corals, but I also like to see some modest growth and/or reproduction of corals in my tank, too. Acquiring 'something new' is not high on my list since the tank is well stocked with some corals having been with me for 16 years. Not the best news for a coral vendor, but I still sneak in something new once in a while

My 6 year old nano is 'done' in that the aquascape will remain 'as is'. I may add an additional specimen or two, but I'm content to observe as the corals sting, over-top and chemically annihilate each other in the fight for territory. I've also left some empty space for a couple mini Acro frags to grow out since I'd like to see them become true mini-colonies

Ralph.

 

[tyler1503]

I feel my 5 gal is "finished". That's because it's a 5gal and I can only fit about 5 corals in it lol. I don't want to add, remove or change anything at the moment.
In my corals I like to see mainly great colour. Growth is good, but I only frag when I need to and I give these frags away, so I have no real desire to see excessive growth. It would be more of a hassle than anything to frag corals constantly. Not to mention if I take out enough water to put into the fish bags holding the corals on the way to wherever they're going, I lose half the water from my tank. A much larger water change than I like.

 

[uniquecorals]

Interesting thoughts on the "end game!" I suppose one definition would be if there is simply no need/space/resources to make adding a new coral or other animal a worthwhile endeavor.

Good stuff!

 

[Railcar79]

I got in the hobby for the color. That is what matters most to me. Growth is great but forcing corals to grow a quarter inch a week has to be stressful, so why rush it, enjoy the trip.

 

[3Twinklets]

Even after many years of keeping a reef tank I am still amazed as I stand there gazing at the life in there. The colors cannot be duplicated. There is always something new to see even when I think I know every nook and cranny.
A healthy tank is what I want to see. I will never get tired of looking at it.

 

[jservedio]

I think the real answer for most reefers lies somewhere in the middle. It can take a couple years to really get a tank up and thriving if you are starting from all frags to have a bunch of smaller colonies. I think during that time period, growth is #1 and you really are "waiting for something". I think once we can look at our tanks and not have a need to buy something new every couple of weeks and can go 4-6 months without spending a dime on livestock, we can be at our "final product" and actually sit back and enjoy the tank over the long term. Once you get to that point, the scale changes dramatically and changes are occuring over years instead of months and every purchase is significant and with a methodical purpose - you can actually appreciate the snails pace growth of that new oregon tort!

For example, with my 20g nano, I felt like I was trying to get somewhere with it for the longest time. Now that the 2 year mark has long come and gone and I haven't added a coral in months and nearly everything can at least be called a "colony", I am finally "there" and can appreciate trying to get the best possible color, trying new experiments, and making very long term goals without the worry of killing half of my booger sized frags. I am no longer waiting for something and can truly appreciate the journey forward much more.

 

[PedroYoung]

Funny, I was messing around with some tank photography today (need some lessons from those guys @ Unique Corals) and was zooming in on a picture of a Lobo I've had for 5 yrs and was like "holy crap, that's a new mouth forming in that corner" A piece I've loved for ever because of it's brilliant green, orange and yellow color, but doesn't really "grow" the way a chalice or acan does, gave me something new to be excited about. To me it's about health and happiness (of the corals) first. Maybe because I've had my share of collapses over the years. I still look every day and it's exciting to see new heads on the acans, or blastos, but it's even more gratifying knowing that they're healthy. I've had corals in this tank for 9 yrs now and a pair of clowns in that tank for 12 years (on the same green bubble tip) and all of them are old friends now. On the other hand, I've recently added a bunch of frags to the tank and some new live rock. I don't think I'd ever want the tank to be "done". I have too much fun messing around in it (my wife on the other hand would love for it to be done). She has her garden outside, I have mine inside. We both love to putter around in them, tweaking stuff, pruning, planting, sometimes weeding. I just don't have to put up with the Alabama heat when I'm playing in mine. Great discussion Scott!

 

[tripdad]

Hello, new to this forum but not new to the hobby. I think that reef keeping draws a certain "type" of person to it and by nature that person likes to re-create what they have seen and admired. This makes the journey a lot more rewarding for most than the maintaining of a finished product, at least it is for me. i think that is why upgrades are so common, people wanting to do it better. The end game in my eye is the enjoyment of doing, creating an ecosystem that works and sharing that and watching they're eyes go wide in fascination at what's in the glass box. For me growth is only important as it shows I am getting something right. Great thread Scott.

 

[feh]

Health and color are my two biggest concerns with coral. I don't want any fast growing ugly weeds in my "garden".

 

[slojmn]

My reefing goals are health and color first and foremost. Since reef keeping is ALWAYS an adventure for me, never easy, and filled with pitfalls and twists at every corner I never get bored. Sometimes I want to be bored, reefing Gods!!!! LOL. I tend to like all the latest and greatest new acros/zoas/and other sundry corals so I am not into fast growth...I would run out of room too soon. I always buy frags because I love watching them grow up, color up, and become colonies. I keep saying "That is it, NO MORE CORAL, time to let it grow and enjoy what I have." Then I am buying another stellar piece from a fellow hobbyist or my favorite vendors. It really is endless in my book. I figure the "end game" comes when and if I ever quit the hobby. I don't see any end in sight but I have my share of days when I feel like I just can't take another pitfall!! The next day dawns and I am back in the saddle ready to adjust to yesterdays pitfall and forge on. That makes this hobby amazing and worth it, the continuous challenge for health and well being in my tank

 

[vlangel]

For some of us our reef tank isn't just about the corals either. Don't get me wrong, I love watching my mature frogspawn wave in the current. Its a complete package though with fish and inverts that have fascinating personalities that also contribute to the joy of keeping a reef tank. There's Baby, my tomato clown that I raised from an egg his parents Tommy and Ato laid about 6 years ago. He didn't have a nem of his own for years because his parents refused to share. However I sold Tommy, Ato and their nem when I downsized. Now Baby is in heaven with his own RBTA that split and provide his with a choice of nems to snuggle in! And there is Jacque, my cleaner shrimp who definitely lacks surgeon hands because everyone runs ( I mean swims ) away as fast as they can from him. Finally I love my midas blenny King Midas who constantly spits sand out of his favorite mushroom shrouded conch shell. With unique personalities in the tank, how can there be an "end game"?