Poll: Stability - Which is most important?

[dbl]

We started the week discussing stability and how we define it. We then went through the big three with week - Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium. We've discussed others in the past. Let's end this week with what people feel is the most important parameter to maintain stability in a mature reef.

Now, I realize stability is of vital importance and keeping all parameters stable is the goal. But if you had to pick one to call the "most" important, what would it be. Feel free to discuss your reasoning's for your choice.

 

[BigJim]

My first thought was alk since I keep mostly SPS, but my alk won't matter much if my tank temperature is 40 degrees and I don't add salt to the water. There are a lot of corals that can be kept healthy by just monitoring temperature and salinity. I went with salinity since this is a saltwater aquarium forum.

 

[BenitaSolo]

I think it varies by how big the swings are. In large swings they alk, ph, temp and salinity are all important!
I went with Alk assuming we are talking about day to day reefing where salinity and temp are easy parameters to control without much monitoring

 

[Rakie]

Other: Oxygen.

Yep. I'm that guy

 

[hockeyhead019]

I went with temp, mostly because I had a tank crash from a temp increase :/

 

[Waters]

Well, without proper temp and salinity, nothing will survive so I guess I would have to go that route. Traditionally when you think of stability in a reef tank, you are thinking ALK.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Very subjective question, as all pramameters should be stable with in acceptable ranges. Keeping them there is the "husbandry", sense we have as reef keepers. Testing and monitoring is a foundation, corner stone, basics to success.

Of course there are variables and conditions that can cause "swings" and instability, some fast, some slow overtime.

So with that said, I can't honestly just pick one from the poll. They are all equally important to "me".

 

[dbl]

...Now, I realize stability is of vital importance and keeping all parameters stable is the goal. But if you had to pick one to call the "most" important, what would it be. Feel free to discuss your reasoning's for your choice.

Very subjective question, as all paramameters should be stable with in acceptable ranges. Keeping them there is the "husbandry", sense we have as reef keepers. Testing and monitoring is a foundation, corner stone, basics to success.

Of course there are variables and conditions that can cause "swings" and instability, some fast, some slow overtime.

So with that said, I can't honestly just pick one from the poll. They are all equally important to "me".

Excellent point @Flippers4pups and that's why I made the comment I did in the OP! This is simply an exercise in if you "had" to pick one, what would it be. For me, I chose Alkalinity.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Excellent point @Flippers4pups and that's why I made the comment I did in the OP! This is simply an exercise in if you "had" to pick one, what would it be. For me, I chose Alkalinity.

Me, hard coral tank........ Alkalinity.

 

[Tahoe61]

I wanted to choose Salinity, since without salt, well you know!

This is "which came first the chicken or the egg", numbs my brain.;Bored

If I had to choose one it would be Alkalinity, as it plays a significant role in pH. But you will not have a stable alk without a normal mag value...Dang you..;Shifty

 

[saltyhog]

Like @Flippers4pups said all parameters are important. However, salinity stability should really never be much of an obstacle. The only time I've ever had to worry much about salinity was when my tank was mature and I had multiple large colonies of stoney coral and I was dosing large quantities of 2 part. My salinity would tend to rise.

Temp is very important but by using two or more smaller heaters and a controller that's really not to hard to achieve either.

Alkalinity is the one parameter that I have to monitor frequently. With SPS alkalinity swings can result in rapid destruction....don't ask me how I know. . So maybe not "more" important just harder to achieve?

 

[Flippers4pups]

I wanted to choose Salinity, since without salt, well you know!

This is "which came first the chicken or the egg", numbs my brain.;Bored

If I had to choose one it would be Alkalinity, as it plays a significant role in pH. But you will not have a stable alk without a normal mag value...Dang you..;Shifty

Lol, I know that feeling! ;Woot

 

[dbl]

...Dang you..;Shifty

Lol, I know that feeling! ;Woot

Look you two...they can't all be easy...lol. :mad_O

 

[Flippers4pups]

Look you two...they can't all be easy...lol. :mad_O

Lol.

 

[revhtree]

Like seriously impossible for me to pick between salinity and temp! My fingers will not allow me to choose! HA!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Like seriously impossible for me to pick between salinity and temp! My fingers will not allow me to choose! HA!

@dbl! Lol!

 

[revhtree]

I still haven't voted and I want to soooo bad!! It does so much for me t click those little boxes but today it's just savage!

 

[Flippers4pups]

I still haven't voted and I want to soooo bad!! It does so much for me t click those little boxes but today it's just savage!

David,

 

[dbl]

Look you two...they can't all be easy...lol. :mad_O

I still haven't voted and I want to soooo bad!! It does so much for me t click those little boxes but today it's just savage!

All right, make it you three!

 

[dbl]

Like seriously impossible for me to pick between salinity and temp! My fingers will not allow me to choose! HA!

Every system is different, but I've had temp swings with no noticeable effects, with one exception. Temp hit 89 due to Irma a few months ago - not good! On the other hand, I've had alk swings (primarily when I get lazy) with disastrous consequences!