I could not find a similar post, so I wanted to start a thread to see what others think….
What exactly is a "Mature Reef Tank"? Or what does it mean to have a mature tank?
While this phrase is probably used in every area of the hobby, I found it used particularly often when a new hobbyist is talking about adding an anemone to their tank for the first time. From the numerous threads I have read, it seems almost reflexively for at least one of the responses to be “It is only recommended to add an anemone to….” a “…mature reef tank” or “…an established reef tank” or “….a tank that is at least 6 months to 1 year old”.
My question is…What does that even mean? Maybe the meaning is different depending on the application? If someone wants to add a dragonet to their tank, maybe an “established tank” is one with a healthy copepod population. For anemones it seems stable water parameters, flow, and lighting are key for success, if you have all of these is your tank “mature”? I think using these terms without defining them is a disservice to the hobby and produce a lot of frustration among beginners in the hobby. This is especially true when they wait the “magic” 6 months, add an anemone, and it dies within a week, crashing their whole tank.
What exactly is a "Mature Reef Tank"? Or what does it mean to have a mature tank?
While this phrase is probably used in every area of the hobby, I found it used particularly often when a new hobbyist is talking about adding an anemone to their tank for the first time. From the numerous threads I have read, it seems almost reflexively for at least one of the responses to be “It is only recommended to add an anemone to….” a “…mature reef tank” or “…an established reef tank” or “….a tank that is at least 6 months to 1 year old”.
My question is…What does that even mean? Maybe the meaning is different depending on the application? If someone wants to add a dragonet to their tank, maybe an “established tank” is one with a healthy copepod population. For anemones it seems stable water parameters, flow, and lighting are key for success, if you have all of these is your tank “mature”? I think using these terms without defining them is a disservice to the hobby and produce a lot of frustration among beginners in the hobby. This is especially true when they wait the “magic” 6 months, add an anemone, and it dies within a week, crashing their whole tank.