How to achieve STABILITY?

[Fishn28]

While this seems like a silly question, I was thinking today I don't really know how to do it. I frequently struggle with keeping parameters in the same range, keeping away Green Hair algae or other algae. or even keep some corals alive

What are some tips you would give somebody to achieve stability?

 

[backbayreef]

While this seems like a silly question, I was thinking today I don't really know how to do it. I frequently struggle with keeping parameters in the same range, keeping away Green Hair algae or other algae. or even keep some corals alive

What are some tips you would give somebody to achieve stability?

That’s a loaded question btw - how old is the tank and what are you doing to maintain “stability”? If you’re battling with hair algae, the tank is relative new and if you’ve started with dry rocks, it’s very “normal”. Patience & time will remove these naturally, with a CUC of course.

If you’re just doing softies — stability comes when you’re not doing any changes, including water changes! Just keep N&P in check.

 

[Fishn28]

That’s a loaded question btw - how old is the tank and what are you doing to maintain “stability”? If you’re battling with hair algae, the tank is relative new and if you’ve started with dry rocks, it’s very “normal”. Patience & time will remove these naturally, with a CUC of course.

If you’re just doing softies — stability comes when you’re not doing any changes, including water changes! Just keep N&P in check.

the tank is about 10 months old and was started with dry rock. the real issues I have are keeping N&P in consistent places.

 

[sixty_reefer]

Most will tell you that stability comes from maturity in a tank, in my opinion stability can be gain at any point in time in a aquarium.

 

[FindingNem0]

Most will tell you that stability comes from maturity in a tank, in my opinion stability can be gain at any point in time in a aquarium.

I agree with this. Early stages for a new reefer with little to no experience equals no stability. But over time as your tank mature so does your skills.

 

[sixty_reefer]

I agree with this. Early stages for a new reefer with little to no experience equals no stability. But over time as your tank mature so does your skills.

The word stability is often misleading in my opinion as it refers to the balance between import and export of nutrients in aquaria.
A stable tank is just a tank with adequate import/export methods and strategies.
Many new aquarists that start the hobby don’t understand that until later, hence why some folks can get stable tanks faster than others, stability it’s not a magic event that happens in a aquarium it needs to be chased, even older tanks loose stability if not understood correctly.

 

[Fenral]

While this seems like a silly question, I was thinking today I don't really know how to do it. I frequently struggle with keeping parameters in the same range, keeping away Green Hair algae or other algae. or even keep some corals alive

What are some tips you would give somebody to achieve stability?

Tip 1 - there is no such thing as stability.
Tip 2—Run in a range, adapt, and repeat. You have to be in the feedback cycle and keep the routine very consistent over time, but that doesn't mean you dose the same or feed the same. You have to be the higher power for the system :) Measure, adjust, implement, measure, adjust, implement ...

It's a dynamic system because it's a living system—essentially, you're fighting entropy, and you have to keep putting energy in to counter that.

That struggle you are feeling - is perfectly normal; you will get there if you keep trying :)

 

[FindingNem0]

The measure part and adjusting, that's why multiple testing per week is good.

I test 2 to 3 times per week and always tweaking my dosage.

 

[Fenral]

Just to calibrate reality - this is what so-called stability looks like (and it's not just tanks.. your body does the same thing all day long (Some of us have to track and "stabilize" our blood sugar for instance (that last one gets me yelled at by my doctors for being too good):

 

[00W]

While this seems like a silly question, I was thinking today I don't really know how to do it. I frequently struggle with keeping parameters in the same range, keeping away Green Hair algae or other algae. or even keep some corals alive

What are some tips you would give somebody to achieve stability?

You will learn.
I kept a journal for years.
I could easily look back at all the things I did. It helped.
I've always gone excruciatingly slow.
A few things I reef by are:
1. Be patient.
2. Don't freak out.
3. Do only one thing at a time.
Find a mentor, whether on here or close by. Someone you can trust and talk to.
Don't try to achieve someone else's tank, just achieve your own.
Don't know if that helps or not because it's a rather hard question to answer.
Joel

 

[backbayreef]

For me - stability means:
1. Alk: between 8.5 to 9 dKH
2. N & P: non-zero
3. Temp: within 1-2F
4. Salt: between 1.024-1.026 SG
5. Budget: between $1-$2k per month :)

That’s pretty much it.

 

[Fenral]

For me - stability means:
1. Alk: between 8.5 to 9 dKH
2. N & P: non-zero
3. Temp: within 1-2F
4. Salt: between 1.024-1.026 SG
5. Budget: between $1-$2k per month :)

That’s pretty much it.

Keeping in that last one is a real killer for some of us.... I can't do it yet, even after all these years... think it's only gotten worse.

 

[jabberwock]

Real Ocean Live Rock for the win!

 

[Fenral]

Real Ocean Live Rock for the win!

Does such a thing exist anymore for real... The last time I saw such stuff was, oh, 16 years ago lol...

 

[jabberwock]

Does such a thing exist anymore for real... The last time I saw such stuff was, oh, 16 years ago lol...

There are a few vendors in the US with legitimate licenses and bottoms leases. I have only ever worked with Tampa Bay Saltwater, and I highly recommend them.

 

[Fenral]

There are a few vendors in the US with legitimate licenses and bottoms leases. I have only ever worked with Tampa Bay Saltwater, and I highly recommend them.

Yeh, i was just on their site(like right now debating) - that's more Aquacultured then actual live rock I thought

 

[TokioSuperGrip]

Keeping in that last one is a real killer for some of us.... I can't do it yet, even after all these years... think it's only gotten worse.

Are y’all really over $1k a month? I’m at about $200+ with my 25 AIO so I guess I see it

 

[TokioSuperGrip]

Does such a thing exist anymore for real... The last time I saw such stuff was, oh, 16 years ago lol...

If I keep my 25g AIO cycling long enough will I create live rock of that quality or no

 

[Fenral]

Are y’all really over $1k a month? I’m at about $200+ with my 25 AIO so I guess I see it

I plead the 5th Amendment.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

i got my rock from live rock and reef. its nice stuff if you dont mind puting up with the guy on the phone :grimacing-face: following your qustion. ive been wondering the same thing:smiling-face: