Tips & Tricks Of Old School Reefing

BRS
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Orphek OR3 reef aquarium LED bar
Lots of great info and sense in this thread. The biggest difference I see now is the need for some people to constantly tweak their systems. Some likely reasons for this:
  • the learning curve for new folks
  • people trying to keep costs down (and perhaps realizing they cannot)
  • people chasing parameters and perceived problems.
  • the thrill of new equipment releases
  • reading the equipment experiences of others in forums like this
In 1989 when I set up my first first reef, I bought a 55 gallon aquarium, stand, live rock, heater, protein skimmer, a couple of powerheads and a Metal Halide lamp. That tank ran for 6 years and that equipment list did not change at all. The tank was moved twice and then when I moved out west (from NY), I finally had to break it down. The only things added/needed were MH bulbs, livestock, food, salt and water. Simple. Funny thing is the people I knew back then with reefs were the exact same, set up a complete system and then watch it grow.

Not sure what specifically has changed, but there are probably many factors including those related to commerce, social media (including forums) and a general increase in impatience.
 
I don't carbon dose, I've rarely, I mean RARELY use GFO and occasionally use GAC. The only thing I've modified from "Berlin" is UV and I only use it just to clarify the water collum once in a blue moon.

I hand dose alkalinity, calcium, and rarely mag.
 
Ecoscape Reef Rock
Dear New Reefer,

Please buy an RO/DI unit from day one or you will be miserable :(

Also... Do not keep your display water too clean with all the organics / nutrients stripped out like lab grade water.
Your corals need those things to stay healthy, just like the ocean has plankton and other nutrients in it.
 
Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Don't make any changes just before a vacation. :D
Click to expand...

I have been guilty of this one and it didn't fare well. I was going on vacation and at that time I had this 5 gallon tank next to my tank that I used for a filter of sorts. Just before I left, I figured I would add another siphon to it to give it better flow. Wrong.
When I came back that tank was empty and the pump burned out.
When it ran with one siphon into it all was good and the fast flow removed any bubbles in the siphon. When I added two siphons, bubbles collected in the siphons and stopped. I will remember that.
 
NY_Caveman said:
Lots of great info and sense in this thread. The biggest difference I see now is the need for some people to constantly tweak their systems. Some likely reasons for this:
  • the learning curve for new folks
  • people trying to keep costs down (and perhaps realizing they cannot)
  • people chasing parameters and perceived problems.
  • the thrill of new equipment releases
  • reading the equipment experiences of others in forums like this
In 1989 when I set up my first first reef, I bought a 55 gallon aquarium, stand, live rock, heater, protein skimmer, a couple of powerheads and a Metal Halide lamp. That tank ran for 6 years and that equipment list did not change at all. The tank was moved twice and then when I moved out west (from NY), I finally had to break it down. The only things added/needed were MH bulbs, livestock, food, salt and water. Simple. Funny thing is the people I knew back then with reefs were the exact same, set up a complete system and then watch it grow.

Not sure what specifically has changed, but there are probably many factors including those related to commerce, social media (including forums) and a general increase in impatience.
Click to expand...

"and a general increase in impatience."
Big one^.
 
Tidal Gardens
GoVols said:
@jsker

Great and very thoughtful thread, that helps others.

Well done my friend :)

Freddie
Click to expand...

Agreed. Simplistic reef tanks can be successful. Call it what you may, KISS, Berlin method.........:)
 
Tidal Gardens
Feed, Feed, Feed to raise nutrients!
 
WWC
Flippers4pups said:
Agreed. Simplistic reef tanks can be successful. Call it what you may, KISS, Berlin method.........:)
Click to expand...

After fiddling with my current system so much and a tank crash with meddling, I went back to the basics and my tank is cruising right along for the past 7 months;Jawdrop;Joyful
 
jsker said:
After fiddling with my current system so much and a tank crash with meddling, I went back to the basics and my tank is cruising right along for the past 7 months;Jawdrop;Joyful
Click to expand...

See!!!!!!!! Lol
 
Top Shelf Aquatics
The point is long time reefers do not have all the answers, but I believe we have better experience in keeping things simple. My current new system in progress is not much different than my reef 20 years ago really. I already know that system works. Biggest changes will be LED instead of Metal Halide and a dedicated ATO system.
 
BRS

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

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%

  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%

  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%

  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
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