The 12 Commandments of Reef Keeping

arking_mark

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  1. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank
  2. Triple-check before you believe any observations or make any changes to your tank
  3. Only make one change at a time in your reef tank
  4. Use the right tool for the right job
  5. Only dose what you can test for
  6. Don't chase #s, chase stability. When altering the parameters of a reef tank, always do it in an appropriate way.
  7. Anytime you add anything to your tank (even quarantined livestock), your whole tank is at risk
  8. Know and be able to meet your livestock requirements
  9. Most problems can be mitigated with larger water changes and GAC
  10. Have a plan, a backup plan, and a backup backup plan for reefing risks
  11. Stick to one reefing methodology. Don't be a Frankenstein unless you're willing to fail while blazing your own path to success
  12. Do not believe manufacturer or LFS claims without doing your homework
 
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KrisReef

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These should be posted in every courtroom
Tyler The Creator Lol GIF by [HASH=40571]#ActionAliens[/HASH]
, or at least ever LFS!
 
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arking_mark

arking_mark

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So I came up with these to help me be a better reefer. Almost all issues I have faced can be traced to not following one or more of these precepts.

My last issue was dealing with a sick fish that died.
  1. I bought it from a local reefer who had it in a "healthy tank"
  2. I added the fish to my display
  3. Fish kept losing weight in my tank
  4. Eventually, I recognized either intestinal worms or internal parasites
Plan:
  1. Catch fish at night with Red Light (quick)
  2. Treat with PraziPro, Metroplex, and Fenbendzadole
  3. Monitor other fish
Backup Plan:
  1. Catch fish with an in-tank trap (takes a couple of days)
  2. Treat with PraziPro, Metroplex, and Fenbendzadole
  3. Monitor other fish
Backup Backup Plan:
  1. Treat whole tank with PraziPro and Metroplex
  2. Impacts tank stability
I ended up with the backup backup plan...and the fish still died, but at least the other fish have been prophylactically treated.

Precepts applicable to this situation in RED:
  1. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank
  2. Triple-check before you believe or make any changes to your tank
  3. Only make one change at a time in your reef tank
  4. Only dose what you can test for
  5. Don't chase #s, stability is what's critical
  6. Anytime you add anything to your tank (even quarantined livestock), your whole tank is at risk
  7. Most problems can be mitigated with larger water changes and GAC
  8. Have a plan, a backup plan, and a backup backup plan for reefing risks
  9. Stick to one reefing methodology. Don't be a Frankenstein unless you're willing to fail while blazing your own path to success
  10. Do not believe manufacturer claims
 

brandon429

why did you put a reef in that
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regarding the fish plan above, how did you arrive there

asking because in the fish disease forum that's not the top going method for retention rates

not being contrary legit asking why no qt/fallow, which data led you to exclude the option
 
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arking_mark

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regarding the fish plan above, how did you arrive there

asking because in the fish disease forum that's not the top going method for retention rates

not being contrary legit asking why no qt/fallow, which data led you to exclude the option

I typically only buy from QT'd sources or local reefers who QT or have had the fish for a long time in a healthy tank. I don't QT my own fish...hence the risk and consequences of my actions. I'm lucky it wasn't something worse or couldn't be treated in the tank.
 

Storm Trooper Reefer

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1. Have credits.
2. nothing to buy, if one knows nothing of it.
3. Learn much first, unlearn what you have learned, learn more.
4. Do or do not, there is eBay, first timers can save from those that do not heed these lessons.
5. Moving to a new base is hard, changing the water is easy.
6. Greed, fast results, are the ways of the dark side.
7. Patience, you must learn patience, if it takes a month to fall, a month to get back up
8. This is the way. Only one way at a time. Cant go two places at once.
9. Know your weakness, if you cants see/test it, don't do it
10. It's going to blow up anyway, why not upgrade?
 
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arking_mark

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1. Have credits.
2. nothing to buy, if one knows nothing of it.
3. Learn much first, unlearn what you have learned, learn more.
4. Do or do not, there is eBay, first timers can save from those that do not heed these lessons.
5. Moving to a new base is hard, changing the water is easy.
6. Greed, fast results, are the ways of the dark side.
7. Patience, you must learn patience, if it takes a month to fall, a month to get back up
8. This is the way. Only one way at a time. Cant go two places at once.
9. Know your weakness, if you cants see/test it, don't do it
10. It's going to blow up anyway, why not upgrade?

Love it! LOL.
 

Stigigemla

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I think the OP did a good job.
Of coarse I have a different order of the list.
One more can be added:
You can find 100 ways of crashing a reef tank if You search a simple solution for Your problem in the internet instead of asking Your 1 mentor.
I have a few customers that are specialized in finding bad advice on facebook.
 

Storm Trooper Reefer

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I think the OP did a good job.
Of coarse I have a different order of the list.
One more can be added:
You can find 100 ways of crashing a reef tank if You search a simple solution for Your problem in the internet instead of asking Your 1 mentor.
I have a few customers that are specialized in finding bad advice on facebook.
I like the ideas from 30 years ago, like bleaching your rock every few months. Julian Sprung admits he did that back in the day. Now we would never do that.
 

tamanning

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  1. Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank
  2. Triple-check before you believe or make any changes to your tank
  3. Only make one change at a time in your reef tank
  4. Only dose what you can test for
  5. Don't chase #s, stability is what's critical
  6. Anytime you add anything to your tank (even quarantined livestock), your whole tank is at risk
  7. Know and be able to meet your livestock requirements
  8. Most problems can be mitigated with larger water changes and GAC
  9. Have a plan, a backup plan, and a backup backup plan for reefing risks
  10. Stick to one reefing methodology. Don't be a Frankenstein unless you're willing to fail while blazing your own path to success
  11. Do not believe manufacturer claims
If it aint broke thal shalt not fix it!!
 

Mastering the art of locking and unlocking water pathways: What type of valves do you have on your aquarium plumbing?

  • Ball valves.

    Votes: 42 48.8%
  • Gate valves.

    Votes: 45 52.3%
  • Check valves.

    Votes: 19 22.1%
  • None.

    Votes: 22 25.6%
  • Other.

    Votes: 9 10.5%
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