My tank is a temperate environment, I do WC once every two weeks, water is crystal clear and critters look happy. I do not have corals, and do not test often. I do get my water from the ocean, so I assume it is all good.
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I rarely even test for alkalinity any more. I do monitor pH though, and I usually can tell by that number, the time of day, and the season of the year whether the alkalinity might be out-of-range.Has anyone else completely stopped testing for anything but Kh? I used to have terrible trouble keeping parameters in the goldilocks zone running all the gear. Switched it off and its rock solid, water change every 4 weeks and test Kh every few days.
I had the same problem. Other corals were ok. As soon as I started using RO water not only are the leathers looking great , but they are actually splitting themselves. I don't mess with success. However I also found they react negatively for 2 days after a water change, maybe because they are not fighting for nourishment? I don't knowRecently, I have been more worried about the overall appearance of my tank. I've been dealing with a lot of algae. I have a devils hand leather, in particular, that has just looked awful - no polyp extensions, leaning/not standing up straight, shrunk appearance..etc.
I was trying to do weekly water changes to maintain the appearance but the algae would just take over again after 3days or so, even though parameters were good. I'm sure that the algae is an issue and a huge concern for some, BUT... I decided to just sit back and not panic so much about the algae. It's been two weeks since my last water change. Just regular feeding and topping off and, to my surprise, my zoas and leather look so happy and healthy and fish do too. Polyps are extended, no zoas are closed up, the size of the leather seems to not be so shriveled up anymore.
So I'm just going to ride it out for another two weeks or so before the next water change. I guess my tank prefers "dirty" water??
Because I am retired and have the time to prove all of the advice given. I had a huge algae problem a long time ago, which try's to crop up all the time. I just stay ahead of it. However back then before I joined this group everyone said water change water change water change. This approach did not make a difference. However not using DI RO at the time. I would love to know how to prevent it, haven't figured that out yet. I have a new tank that I am in the process of building. At this point the lights are off, except in the sump for my green lantern algae ( kato ). No algae in the main tank, so at the moment I believe lighting is the main cause of growth. I have blocked all spillage of light into other parts of the sump. No algae grows anywhere but where the cheto isWeekly water changes of 30%? I haven’t changed that much in 6 months.
This is what I’ve always suspected too. So often we hear “what are your parameters” and “maintain good water quality” with the implication that if parameters are in range it’s good. But we definitely see tanks with issues despite stable measurable “parameters”.Fish, Corals and other invertebrates are thriving.
No. There are a lot of organics that we can't measure chemically or ICP testing. In other words (IMO), just because an ICP or chemical test is in 'good range', does not necessarily prove 'good quality water'. That said, if, lets say a nitrate level is 200, that would bad quality water. Another example, lets say one coral is releasing toxins into the water - causing damage to neighbors. That is also not necessarily 'good quality' water
Carbon, Skimmer, I personally do water changes, and use an oxydator. Poor water to me is a tank where the inhabitants aren't thrivingThis is what I’ve always suspected too. So often we hear “what are your parameters” and “maintain good water quality” with the implication that if parameters are in range it’s good. But we definitely see tanks with issues despite stable measurable “parameters”.
I’m really curious, outside of stable parameters, what exactly is poor water quality. Specifically what are these organic etc. And what is the best method to control them? Skimming? Water changes w or w/o vacuuming?
my water is crystal clear from a color perspective but sometimes it has particulates floating around and other times not. Sometimes my corals look upset despite parameters within normal ranges. I’ve wondered what more I could due to improve “water quality”.