Poll: How Do You Define Stability?

[dbl]

I'd like to do a series of polls regarding the major parameters (namely Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium) over the next few days. Many discussions are had regarding the "perfect" measuring point of each, but one consistent thought is that we should all be shooting for stability.

So let's start off today with how we define stability. Meaning, what period of time do you consider to be most important when it comes to stability. Is it hour to hour, day to day, a few days or a week? So what time frame do you use to define stability?

 

[jsker]

Week to Week, if I am within a couple of point of my ideal numbers:)

 

[Janci]

Agreed with week to week stability.
Daily testing alkalinity results in small fluctuations which can be due to many different factors.
Another question which might be interesting is: What is seen as stability?
Is a fluctuation of 0.2dKH seen as stable?
10ppm of Ca is stable?

Our testing equipment is not that accurate so even stability is hard to determine.

 

[XNavyDiver]

I think this is THE most interesting daily poll question yet.
If a successful reefer takes measurements once a week, he/she has learned over time and experience with their tank that variances will show up in that time frame, and will make their adjustment if needed.
I test alk on a daily basis, but only because my system is still relatively young, still adding corals, and variances happen quicker. So making adjustments to the demand require daily monitoring and small adjustments to the dosing pumps to compensate.
Older, mature tanks have a much more predictable demand curve that allow owners fewer checks of their parameters... stretching it to monthly or longer time frames. Logic dictates that a tank that remains relatively stable from month to month, is also stable on a weekly and daily basis.

 

[Luno]

I agree with weekly for the most part. And with the above post that weekly seems to be a good length for most differences to show up.

But I would say daily for other parts. Without dosing daily I could have an alk swing of 1dkh which I would not consider stable.

 

[BenitaSolo]

I think of stability in the long run. I expect the expected alk/calc fluctuations but consider these stable as long as they are consistent and not out of the ordinary.
I'm kind of confused by the question it's all the same isn't it? Stable is stable.

Edit: Maybe? Hah! Not always the brightest frag in the tank... :0

 

[Rakie]

The definition necessitates some context. For every imaginable parameter my definition of "Stability" would be different. As a whole, I would consider it at least day to day. But for alk, I'd prefer to think of it hour to hour.

Julian Sprung, who doses Alkalinity every 10 minutes, would probably vote the same for Alk, although of course I can't speak for him..

 

[alten78]

My vote keeps going from daily to hourly - with a tank full of sticks I try to minimize the ebb and flow of alk/cal levels by dosing hourly which is exactly why some (I wish I had the disposable income for it) purchase a KH Guardian which does just that.

 

[dragon99]

It absolutely depends on the element/parameter. Alk needs to be steady from day to day. Temperature needs to be steady from hour to hour. Ca or Mg though are much slower to change and can be monitored week to week. Potassium or Sulfate a month to month stability is probably adequate.

 

[Cae]

I've heard that what you did to your tank a month ago will show in your tank today so I usually go month to month. When my tank was new I usually tested every second day.

 

[Donovan Joannes]

IMO, there is no way you can maintain a tank perfectly stable unless you have all the gadget to monitor and possibly making the fine adjustment in real time. Fluctuation should be fine as long as it doesn't happened so suddenly (within minutes or hours).

For me, I try my very best to keep ca/mg/kh as stable as possible (drip method), temperature swing of 3 degrees celcius within 12 hours time frame is fine (except corals from reef system away from the equator). ATO keeps salinity swing at bay. Other parameters (iron, iodide, strontium, trace elements) are dosed in small amount (a few drops) on daily basis. I am happy with the results so far even though I don't do water changes at all.

 

[chefjpaul]

Short term patience and Long term Consistency = stability.

One of my favorite articles by Richard Ross:
https://reefs.com/magazine/skeptical-reefkeeping-ix-test-kits-chasing-numbers-and-phosphate/

 

[cgdcinc]

I think it depends on what kind of reef you have. Mine are Lps and softie tanks and week to week or bi weekly checks on stability are working for me. I could understand how an Sps tank would be day to day.

 

[PopaSmurph]

I think understand the question. If your dosing with a pump Mainly ALK, CAL, MAG you fall into the hour to hour stability then take into account ATO(salinity), temp, and export methods your stability could be minute to minute. Idk if you can answer this, it's a tricky question

 

[Andrew D]

I agree with many of the comments here. Stable is stable, and I'd like to minimize fluctuations hour to hour. As for testing, I test once a week unless there is reason to test more frequently (ie. doser or calcium reactor issues, top-off issues, etc... all of which I've had over the years). When such things happen I test much more frequently.

 

[Paul B]

I can't answer that because I don't test. I go by the state of health of the fish and corals and if nothing ever dies except for old age for the fish and the corals only die if they get overshadowed by other corals I consider the tank stable. Once or twice a year I bring some water to a LFS to test and the readings have been the same for years so I don't worry about it.