Turning point

[N83RT83R]

There are many things to learn and implement in reef keeping. What for you was the critical implementation that you believe is the point in which your tank became most stable?

 

[UtahReefer]

It's the point where you finally have enough biodiversity in the system and you begin to "see" stability in the tank. That can be anywhere from 9 to 14 months depending upon the system.

 

[Dan_P]

It's the point where you finally have enough biodiversity in the system and you begin to "see" stability in the tank. That can be anywhere from 9 to 14 months depending upon the system.

How did you measure biodiversity? Seems like it might be difficulf.

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

For me it’s historically been when I forced myself to stop tinkering and let nature do its thing. I have a tendency to over adjust everything otherwise.

 

[UtahReefer]

How did you measure biodiversity? Seems like it might be difficulf.

Difficult to measure... There are lab tests you can send out but I personally have never used one. I know it's almost like talking "vapor ware", but it's true. This is why for years folks only used live rock in their tanks. That rock was loaded with bio diversity. Unfortunately it's usually loaded with bad hitchhikers too. That's why I start systems with dry rock that I "cook" in bacteria for several months before starting a tank. Every time I have started a new system or did a transfer I add various types of bac / micro life to the system over the first 6 months. Example: My present system is an AF system. I dose BioS, Pro BioS, -NP Pro (carbon source), AF Life Source, MB7, Microbacter CLEAN, Pods and Phyto. This gives the system a chance for the positive organisms to take hold and stave off the bad stuff. You know everything is working when the tank becomes stable, meaning no outbreaks of the bad stuff ever (Dinos, diatoms, nuisance algae's, cyno). The tank starts to remain "clean" for much longer periods of time and you don't have a build up on your sand bed. Hope this helps, but the whole biome cycle goes way beyond the initial nitrogen cycle of the tank.

 

[Dan_P]

Difficult to measure... There are lab tests you can send out but I personally have never used one. I know it's almost like talking "vapor ware", but it's true. This is why for years folks only used live rock in their tanks. That rock was loaded with bio diversity. Unfortunately it's usually loaded with bad hitchhikers too. That's why I start systems with dry rock that I "cook" in bacteria for several months before starting a tank. Every time I have started a new system or did a transfer I add various types of bac / micro life to the system over the first 6 months. Example: My present system is an AF system. I dose BioS, Pro BioS, -NP Pro (carbon source), AF Life Source, MB7, Microbacter CLEAN, Pods and Phyto. This gives the system a chance for the positive organisms to take hold and stave off the bad stuff. You know everything is working when the tank becomes stable, meaning no outbreaks of the bad stuff ever (Dinos, diatoms, nuisance algae's, cyno). The tank starts to remain "clean" for much longer periods of time and you don't have a build up on your sand bed. Hope this helps, but the whole biome cycle goes way beyond the initial nitrogen cycle of the tank.

Nice clarification. Thanks

 

[jabberwock]

Real Ocean Live Rock for the WIN all day, every day! Their are some negative hitch hikers, but the company I went with did a good job of mitigating them. The biodiversity is amazing!

Shameless plug for Tampa Bay Saltwater!

 

[N83RT83R]

Tanks everyone for your replies. Quite helpful!

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

Huge turning point for me was adding a rock from an LFS that was absolutely covered in pods and algaes, and feather dusters.

Made a huge difference in the fight I was having against dinos, and had so many pods I never had to worry about feeding my mandarin ever again. Just an 8lb chunk made all the difference.

 

[jpughmom757]

My refugium made a world of a differnce!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Honestly, going from no tank to having a tank was one for me. Since you don't realize how much work is involved with owning a tank until you actually have one

 

[jpughmom757]

Honestly, going from no tank to having a tank was one for me. Since you don't realize how much work is involved with owning a tank until you actually have one

Its honestly like having a baby lol

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

Its honestly like having a baby lol

I would say its waaaay easier than a baby, but I can't think of anything better to compare it too, so the anology stands.

 

[jpughmom757]

I would say its waaaay easier than a baby, but I can't think of anything better to compare it too, so the anology stands.

As a mom of 3 i agree its pretty close