What’s wrong with being a NEW & OLD School reefer?

[ReefGeezer]

Old School Reefers can evolve. I had a PaulB style reverse flow UG back in the day... it was the thing. Then I got out of the hobby for a long time. I restarted my new tank based on current day best practices... Metal Halides, remote DSB, refugium, and a big skimmer. From there I learned from trial and error.

My tank now uses LED lights, MP40s, DC pumps, an ATO, and a high end Ca reactor system. I have things that are controlled digitally, but I don't have a dedicated controller. It is still basically an old school Berlin Method system though, bare bottom, rock, and a skimmer. I dose carbon and use other products to help maintain a diverse microbial population. BUT... I don't dose or add stuff to create ULNS conditions.

My tank looks somewhere between the old school and new school pictures. I call its condition "Broke School". That means I've learned how to run a reef tank, but spent so much in the process that I can't afford to put much in it!

 

[S2G]

Not gonna side with any school but even the poll is biased. Why the old school has a picture of a tank full of sps and new school has an almost empty tank? Shouldn’t the caption say “old tank vs new tank”? And this is from someone who had a first saltwater tank in ‘83.

Because that's what new school tanks look like in 6m -1yr. He should of put a out of hobby ad up. ;Muted

 

[S2G]

Old School Reefers can evolve. I had a PaulB style reverse flow UG back in the day... it was the thing. Then I got out of the hobby for a long time. I restarted my new tank based on current day best practices... Metal Halides, remote DSB, refugium, and a big skimmer. From there I learned from trial and error.

My tank now uses LED lights, MP40s, DC pumps, an ATO, and a high end Ca reactor system. I have things that are controlled digitally, but I don't have a dedicated controller. It is still basically an old school Berlin Method system though, bare bottom, rock, and a skimmer. I dose carbon and use other products to help maintain a diverse microbial population. BUT... I don't dose or add stuff to create ULNS conditions.

My tank looks somewhere between the old school and new school pictures. I call its condition "Broke School". That means I've learned how to run a reef tank, but spent so much in the process that I can't afford to put much in it!

My tank dropped out of school in the 8th grade. Somewhere between old school and ged

 

[tony'stank]

After 37 years of reefing I am certain that there is a lot of old school in my methods. However I have no problem integrating new school methods that make my life easier. I use programmable LED lights, a DC return pump and a four sensor ATO. I also follow the ATI method with no or little water changes and periodic ICP testing. But I rarely test parameters unless my observation demonstrates a tank problem. I really resist tinkering with my tank and avoid unproven new trends. I do have a sand bed. I do quarrantee. My fish and coral live for years

 

[fish farmer]

What is old school? Reverse flow under gravel is old school but Paul B still does it and I use to. Thought about going back as there are some advantages. Led lights are just a new form of lighting. Metal Halide still works but led run cooler. Dc pumps are an improvement over old style AC pumps. Skimmers still work on the same principle. Many people have had refugium for decades. Even controllers are not new. Ozone and uv is not new. Going with lifeless rock is new. What is new school really using improved equipment including test kits? Rimless tanks? I am really having some problems figuring what is truly new school. Testing everyday or what. Who can really explain new school.

I ask the same question, define old school.

When I started seeing reef tanks in stores in the U.S it was the late 80''s, trickle filters, with DLS or bioballs, skimmer, bare bottom, maybe a calcium reactor. Albert Thiel's Advanced Reef keeping book came out in 1989 and it reads like designing a reef tank for the space program, every reactor you think of having, skimmers, denitriflying filters, ozone use, redox potential, etc.

Around the same time, 1991, Walter Adey's book came out discussing the Smithsonian Coral Reef Microcosm which operated though the 1980's. That tank operated with an ATS, refugia, DSB seagrass lagoon, wavemaker.

I consider this "old school" reefing but see many of the same elements being employed today and some seem like "new school" because they are still in use or being rediscovered . When I started reefing 19 years ago I rarely saw mention of an Algal Turf Scrubber on the public forums.

 

[Dr. Dendrostein]

Mixed, old school filtration (DE filtration), with gyre pumps, couldn't do it without one or the other, if I could do it, very dangerous situation. I need to change my vote

 

[WVNed]

I don't think I ever met any old school reefers. The new flow pumps beat the heck out of Maxijets.
I do what works for me but am not afraid to try new things like Vibrant or a biopellet reactor.

It still amazes me that after all these years there isn't a formulaic way to be successful at this.

 

[kapnkush608]

 

[Bruce Burnett]

I ask the same question, define old school.

When I started seeing reef tanks in stores in the U.S it was the late 80''s, trickle filters, with DLS or bioballs, skimmer, bare bottom, maybe a calcium reactor. Albert Thiel's Advanced Reef keeping book came out in 1989 and it reads like designing a reef tank for the space program, every reactor you think of having, skimmers, denitriflying filters, ozone use, redox potential, etc.

Around the same time, 1991, Walter Adey's book came out discussing the Smithsonian Coral Reef Microcosm which operated though the 1980's. That tank operated with an ATS, refugia, DSB seagrass lagoon, wavemaker.

I consider this "old school" reefing but see many of the same elements being employed today and some seem like "new school" because they are still in use or being rediscovered . When I started reefing 19 years ago I rarely saw mention of an Algal Turf Scrubber on the public forums.

Yes my first saltwater tank was 1987 was fish only. Next one had corals could not keep softies or lps but was able to keep sps.

 

[jgvergo]

I don't even know what the definition of the two are, and I don't know what I am!! I just research, read, test and go with what works.

 

[flsalty]

I picked old school, but have we ever actually come to a concensus as to what the difference is between new and old?

Old school reefers always innovated. If not we would just now be getting rid of wet/dry filters.

The meme seems to suggest that the new school buys a bunch of tech equipment before they ever get started growing coral. Old school reefers know you don't need all that stuff. That doesn't mean we don't use any of it. We just suggest that reefers start out by learning the basics. Then choose tech you need, or even want.

 

[aquadog]

Following

 

[flsalty]

Bare bottom tanks and lighting have been around since the begining...lol

 

[Auquanut]

I look at it this way. If someone wants to follow a certain method, be it old school or new, and it works for them. Bravo! More power to you. I like to evaluate what I'm currently doing and adjust my technique as I deem appropriate. If it's an "old school" approach or "new school", so be it. I like to keep an open mind and not be boxed in. There just isn't a certain right way. If it works, any way is the right way.

 

[blstravler]

What is old school? Reverse flow under gravel is old school but Paul B still does it and I use to. Thought about going back as there are some advantages. Led lights are just a new form of lighting. Metal Halide still works but led run cooler. Dc pumps are an improvement over old style AC pumps. Skimmers still work on the same principle. Many people have had refugium for decades. Even controllers are not new. Ozone and uv is not new. Going with lifeless rock is new. What is new school really using improved equipment including test kits? Rimless tanks? I am really having some problems figuring what is truly new school. Testing everyday or what. Who can really explain new school.

Agree with this 100%. However the only issue I have with the new v old is the community aspect. Old school refers were always there to help and offer a hand. IMO a lot of new school only like to bash you for your mistakes and tell you what you did wrong and why they are better then you. It’s a said state of affairs. Though I think this is more social media related then any specific hobby.

 

[lapin]

Sometimes a vanilla shake is good sometimes chocolate is good. I will go with both as long as it works.

 

[GoGo98102]

Old school vs new school is the new boomers vs millennials. ;-)

 

[Drysea]

Who cares, I have a coral reef in my basement. It can drop me into sleep like nothing can or hold my attention like little else.

 

[jda]

Old school refers were always there to help and offer a hand.

I agree in the olden days... but now, most have disappeared with little tolerance to argue with the thumb suckers who know everything from reading a few internet posts and watching a few videos. I think that everybody would benefit to have a lot of them back, but they mostly just come around to sell their wares and to just browse.

 

[sarcophytonIndy]

I never realized there was some great divide. I just see it as a continuum as things improve and more features are added. There were always many ways to be successful, and there still are.