10 years in the hobby; 1 year of true success.

[decker6]

As the title states I’ve been in the hobby for 10 years but just doing enough to keep easy stuff alive. Previously I would have been in the no dose no test camp and just rely on water changes. In February 2021 I decided to jump all the way in and buy a bigger more equipped system and finally learn to keep proper water (still a challenge ) since then I’ve met some incredible people mainly from slash and have had some good successes, in my opinion. Here is my 220 from this time last year and a current pic of my 300dd. Seeing all the changes today prompted this post. Shout out to the folks that have shared there knowledge with me and continue to help me properly stock and care for this reef.

220 gallon 01/21

300 01/22

 

[decker6]

02/20 300 going up

The temp live stock holding system between tanks. Ran this for about a month and it was as stressful as it looks.

3/15/21

3/26/21

06/15/21

11/14/21

01/05/22

 

[Karen00]

Wow, what a beautiful tank! Congrats. It's amazing to see the difference in a year when a little "elbow grease" is put into it You should be very proud!

 

[Ultraman]

Looks amazing!

 

[mr d smack]

Where’s the shark with a laser?
Your tank looks great by the way

 

[RobMcC]

Well done. Looks great!

 

[Sacrifice]

Tank looks fantastic! I'm in a similar boat. I've had maybe one moderately successful reef in that last 6-7 years. With covid I'm now working full time from home so I've decided to setup a new 45g tank right next to my desk. Hopefully this will allow me to take better care of the system and be dedicated.

 

[decker6]

Tank looks fantastic! I'm in a similar boat. I've had maybe one moderately successful reef in that last 6-7 years. With covid I'm now working full time from home so I've decided to setup a new 45g tank right next to my desk. Hopefully this will allow me to take better care of the system and be dedicated.

I’m by no means a pro. But the biggest advice I could give is maintain alk! I always tell myself I wish I knew the difference that makes 5 years ago. I personally dose kalkwasser but I have a basement sump so it easier to dose 30 gallons over a week and a half or so.

 

[Sacrifice]

I’m by no means a pro. But the biggest advice I could give is maintain alk! I always tell myself I wish I knew the difference that makes 5 years ago. I personally dose kalkwasser but I have a basement sump so it easier to dose 30 gallons over a week and a half or so.

Thanks for the advice. I need to pick up a good test kit and get with it.

 

[decker6]

Thanks for the advice. I need to pick up a good test kit and get with it.

I’ve used most and come to the conclusion to throw away my hannas and just use salifert. Haha well I lied they are in storage if anyone wants to buy them

 

[Sacrifice]

I’ve used most and come to the conclusion to throw away my hannas and just use salifert. Haha well I lied they are in storage if anyone wants to buy them

I was just looking at Hannah. So I take it you recommend salifert.

 

[decker6]

I was just looking at Hannah. So I take it you recommend salifert.

Yeah that’s my personal opinion. I’ve seen way to many inconsistencies with Hannah. Once I had one alk reagent reading 8.2 and another I had reading 10.4 so I went to my dads to use his reagent and it was 9 something. At that point I went 100% salifert

 

[decker6]

Finally did this honey do and sanded down and painted the stand to flow more with the house

 

[cheelayqeelay]

Great work! Beautiful tank.

 

[mmw64]

I too have had a sort of successful tank for the last few years. Maybe I will try your maintaining alk success. I HATE TESTING!

 

[decker6]

Great work! Beautiful tank.

Thank you !

 

[decker6]

I too have had a sort of successful tank for the last few years. Maybe I will try your maintaining alk success. I HATE TESTING!

Haha I was the same testing seemed like a hassle now I test alk around 4 times a week and everything else usually once a week. With the salfert a alk test takes around 2 mins to do so I told myself if I’m going to have this kind of money wrapped up in coral I can spare 20-30 min a week in testing.

 

[Sacrifice]

Haha I was the same testing seemed like a hassle now I test alk around 4 times a week and everything else usually once a week. With the salfert a alk test takes around 2 mins to do so I told myself if I’m going to have this kind of money wrapped up in coral I can spare 20-30 min a week in testing.

I just ordered the salifert test kit. Woo-hoo. Are there any good writeups on how to maintain alk?

 

[decker6]

I just ordered the salifert test kit. Woo-hoo. Are there any good writeups on how to maintain alk?

I’ll look and see what I can find. I like the kalkwasser bc of the ph benefits. But you could also go the 2 part route and brs sells pharma grade alk and calc packets you just mix in a gallon jug. personally I dose kalkwasser and 2 part.

There’s also the route of a calcium reactor or even a alktronic if you feel like spending the money.

 

[decker6]

I just ordered the salifert test kit. Woo-hoo. Are there any good writeups on how to maintain alk?

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity

There is no aspect of reef aquarium chemistry more important than calcium and alkalinity. Many of my previous articles have described various aspects of these systems in detail. In reading those articles, aquarists will note one pervasive theme...

www.reef2reef.com

Here’s a super informative article.