What has changed in the last decade?

[LostReefer]

I’ve been out of the hobby for right about a decade. I know a lot has changed... but somethings must be the same.

What tech(niques) are the new must haves and what is now considered worth skipping.

Basically what does someone need to read to be caught up on the state of the art without reading hundreds of beginner articles.

 

[hart24601]

I would say water chemistry. No longer is 0 phosphate and 0 nitrate seen as the goal, in fact true 0 is seen by most as quite bad. The target is now detectable levels of both. There are a few equipment changes too, and a shift back to algae filtration, but the above seems to really cause a lot of issues.

 

[cracker]

I think lighting is close to the top of the list .

 

[LostReefer]

I would say water chemistry. No longer is 0 phosphate and 0 nitrate seen as the goal, in fact true 0 is seen by most as quite bad. The target is now detectable levels of both. There are a few equipment changes too, and a shift back to algae filtration, but the above seems to really cause a lot of issues.

I had not seen this yet. Any links to share or the reasoning why? I was always of fan of using lr and algae instead of reactors to control phosphate and nitrate.

 

[hart24601]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pale-sps-corals.339321/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/battling-with-maintaining-nutrients-and-sps-pale-colors.375961/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sps-pale-and-losing-color.394234/

https://reefbum.com/sps/dosing-nitrates-to-improve-sps-coloration/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-nitrates-and-phosphates.368457/

There are so many more. Plus.my personal experience. Not only for color but repelling dinos.

 

[AlexStinson]

10 years ago LED's were in their infancy, now they are probably the most common lighting. They have really almost matched the older styles but with less power usage and heat.

Also huge tanks seem to be much more commonplace.

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

Deep sand beds and wet/ dry are not really used anymore.

 

[LostReefer]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dinoflagellates-–-are-you-tired-of-battling-altogether.293318/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/pale-sps-corals.339321/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/battling-with-maintaining-nutrients-and-sps-pale-colors.375961/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/sps-pale-and-losing-color.394234/

https://reefbum.com/sps/dosing-nitrates-to-improve-sps-coloration/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-nitrates-and-phosphates.368457/

There are so many more. Plus.my personal experience. Not only for color but repelling dinos.

Awesome! Thanks.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Internet information. So much available, but have to get the good sources. Also lighting definitely and algae reactors, ozone, better tools for monitoring tank, more opinions on everything. :D

 

[LostReefer]

Deep sand beds and wet/ dry are not really used anymore.

I think wet/dry was out before I got out. Deep sand beds were really a hot debate. The new thing was people running remote deep sand beds- looking around here I can’t really see that here. Are they bad, useless, or just not popular.

 

[redfishbluefish]

The first three things that immediately came to mind:

1. LED lighting
2. DC Pumps
3. Fluconazole to kill the dreaded Bryopsis

Oh, and a fourth....cone skimmers.

 

[A sea K]

I think wet/dry was out before I got out. Deep sand beds were really a hot debate. The new thing was people running remote deep sand beds- looking around here I can’t really see that here. Are they bad, useless, or just not popular.

I remember the remote DSB and almost went that route myself. Now the hotly debated topic is the marine pure block and whether or not they actually reduce nitrate and are they responsible for elevated levels of aluminum. I have been using one in my current system since start and feel they are a useful tool.

 

[Softhammer]

Lighting, good skimmers and throw away your bio balls and wet dry filters.. most on here won’t even know what the last two things are.

 

[timrocks311]

I remember the remote DSB and almost went that route myself. Now the hotly debated topic is the marine pure block and whether or not they actually reduce nitrate and are they responsible for elevated levels of aluminum. I have been using one in my current system since start and feel they are a useful tool.

I was also at one time planning a DSB in a bucket. I think the marine pure blocks serve the same purpose, but the remote DSB idea seemed to go away before marine pure came out. If so, I'm curious why it died off.

 

[hart24601]

I think something else you will find, which in my mind is a huge positive, is that there are examples of amazing reefs with pretty much any combination/or lack of, equipment possible. Of course 10 years will only be 2009 shortly (wow, really?), but it’s more about realizing the pros and cons of what the individual wants to run. Now if setting up a new system bulk reef supply has some great videos recently partnering with world wide corals, and honestly they nearly identically match my current ‘ideal’ setup.


Pico reef with stony coral? Sure! Examples running for years now. MH, T5, LED all are good! Skimmer or skimmerless? It can be done either way. DSB? Sure thing if you like them. Fuge/scrubber/carbon dosing? Yep! The key with all the above is to not think of the ‘best’ but pros and cons of each and how that fits with what you want in the system.

 

[ReeferReefer]

Refugiums and Turf scrubbers are back!

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Mind you, I have not set up a tank again (yet), but I started paying attention again about a year and a half ago. Big changes that I've noticed:

Live rock - most tanks start with bleached base rock. Gives you a clean slate without pathogens or pests from the start. Seems like tanks take longer to start up without the initial influx of bacteria, but in general this seems like a positive change for both tanks and the reefs.

LEDs - The previous posts seem to have covered this, but LED lighting has come a long way. There are still hold outs to MH and T5 lighting and frankly they're still viable options. LEDs seem to be offering similar results with lower power usage and more flexibility. Personally, I feel the flexibility is a double-edged sword though and some can't fight the lure of constantly tweaking settings. Don't.

Refugiums - I feel like this has even advanced more in the past year and a half, but the value of a well lit refugium has been pretty well demonstrated. And not running off of a dinky 15 watt shop lamp. Search youtube for the Bulk Reef Supply videos on refugiums and you can see what a value having a fuge lit with proper spectrum and intensity.

DC pumps - Another double edged sword. DC pumps have added a lot off efficiency and flexibility to moving water around. Personally, I feel like they have their uses, particularly for wave-making and powerheads, but I still prefer the tried and true Iwaki / Eheim / whatever AC pumps as primary returns because of their tendency to last for decades.

Aquarium controllers - These were in their infancy a decade ago but they're becoming more and more popular. Being able to monitor & maintain the tank remotely and autonomously has huge value. That said, I'm not a fan of funneling every device through a single potential point of failure. Again, they have their uses and they really seem to be a leap forward in the hobby, but there are potential pitfalls.

Tank raised corals - My perception is that only a small minority of corals are still coming from the ocean. There's also a premium market for 'named' corals that is frankly off the wall.

Tank bred fish - these are becoming more and more common. You'll pay more for a fish that was raised in a fish tank, eating commercially available foods and dealing with the rigors of aquarium life. Things like clownfish are also being bred for particular colors and features. To the point that some barely look like clownfish. I'm personally not a fan but love the general idea of tank bred fish.

Local Fish Stores - The availability of the local fish store is waning. Frankly, I feel this is the worst trend in the industry. If you have a good local fish store, shop there. Many are barely hanging on. To the detriment of the hobby, IMO...

I'm sure there is more but that's my perception of the big changes... Good luck!

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

"Oh cone skimmers"

The price of skimmers has gone way down in price.

 

[K.miller]

I also am getting back into the hobby after about a decade. I have found the many changes mentioned here. The one i find most disappointing is the disappearance of LFS. Most of the ones in my area are gone. Its a shame because these were some great shops and i loved going in every week (usually more) and seeing what was new or running into fellow hobbyists and talking tanks or whatever.

 

[theMeat]

Being able to share info so easily has been paramount.

The advances in lighting and diet huge!

Being in the hobby at a time when water changeless tanks are thriving is awesome.