What is your secret to keeping a successful reef tank?

[Gumbies R Us]

I feel like everyone has a technique or something they do that keeps their tank going. Maybe it is using a certain product or a specific daily check that keeps the tank going. I am wondering what is your secret to keeping a successful reef tank?

 

[bushdoc]

Reading Reef2reef forums regularly and quarreling with other reefers, I mean exchanging ideas.

 

[fodsod]

Making a routine of checking the basics daily and a schedule for general maintenance (and stick to it regardless). Plus documenting everything so I can reference it later if needed.

I may not test daily but I am checking on fish/coral conditions daily, checking the skimmer to ensure it's doing it's job, checking filtration, water level and so on. Pretty much just keeping a daily eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

Oh, can't forget being on R2R almost daily. That is certainly contributed to more tank success.

 

[jda]

Diverse ecosystem with much micro and macro fauna from the ocean - rock and sand both.

To keep costs reasonable I do not use any piece of equipment without about a five year track record without changes or fixes.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

Don't tell anyone, but reef2reef

 

[FishTruck]

Will it to happen, no matter how many times you have to change what you are doing and fix your mistakes.

 

[o2manyfish]

Keep my hands out of the tank.

 

[SkinnyMcGinny]

Simplicity, consistency, have the minimum number of additives/reactors/devices that allow it to work. Once it's working, keep doing the same thing. My mixed reef is 10 years old and completely stable and happy.

 

[shakacuz]

perseverance and patience. even with proper research things can definitely go wrong. sometimes simple is better.

 

[nuxx]

QT everything wet and keeping up with water changes (automated).

 

[KrisReef]

I feel like everyone has a technique or something they do that keeps their tank going. Maybe it is using a certain product or a specific daily check that keeps the tank going. I am wondering what is your secret to keeping a successful reef tank?

I try to pray for it every day but otherwise the technique that I use are just as you described them; “A secret.”

(So secret that I don’t even know them.)

 

[SPS2020]

Never leave the house...ever

That and Apex reminders.

 

[Dburr1014]

I try to pray for it every day but otherwise the technique that I use are just as you described them; “A secret.”

(So secret that I don’t even know them.)

I just started at that for a minute, freaky and cool.

 

[Dburr1014]

Believe none of what I hear and half of what I read.
That's my secret.

 

[blecki]

Leave it the **** alone.

 

[KrisReef]

Believe none of what I hear and half of what I read.
That's my secret.

Yup that’s true. Every time I snorkel on an ocean reef I always ask myself what is the secret to this place staying alive and growing without anyone doing maintenance on the place?

 

[MrGisonni]

I think it really comes down to using the scientific method. Perform lots of research and planning. If you have an issue, test for only 1 variable at a time to find the cause. When all is stable.....maintain. Go easy with the tinkering. Monitor water quality weekly. Perform water changes and/or dose necessary elements. Remember every person in charge and every setup is unique. Some of what works in one system may not in yours. Find your sweet spot and always accept your limitations.

 

[j.falk]

$ Money $

If you throw enough money into it, you will be successful...right?!?!

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

Stolen but mostly true!

1. Do water changes religiously.
2. More rock = better. 1lb/gallon minimum.
3. Get the best skimmer you can afford.
4. Only dose what you can test for, the rest comes in foods and salt mixes.

 

[sghera64]

Stability - maintain stability.

After taking a few cues from PaulB, I started adding home-brew bacteria from the local Sea Food counter (shellfish) . . . and molasses as a carbon source.