Reefing Preparedness: Are you a proactive or reactive reefer? Be honest!

[AlyciaMarie]

Some of us have learned that things can go south in our tanks quickly, while others haven't...yet? When things start going awry, do you find that you are prepared for the challenges of reefing, or do you find yourself unprepared and scrambling for a solution? When it comes to preparedness for issues arising in your tank...

Are you a proactive or a reactive reefer?

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I'll be the first to admit that I have been more reactive in the past. And being reactive, in my experience, has only exacerbated the issue. I'm trying to learn how to be more proactive and address problems in their early stages.

 

[Dburr1014]

Proactive in the sense that I try to keep parameters in a zone.

Reactive in the sense that if algae starts to rear it's ugly head, well, I try to pull it out. I can't forsee that happening.

 

[snorklr]

proactive in having extra pumps, heaters , lights , generator etc handy in case of an equipment failure...but as far as in tank issues usually wait a couple months to see if they work themselves out...

 

[BZOFIQ]

I walked by the tank and all the fish followed me from one end to the other - I then fed them.

Reactive? NO!

I fed them early today, I was being Proactive.

 

[paragrouper]

it depends.

I keep up my maintenance, dosing and feeding to promote good health.

But aquariums, like life, always has something new to throw at you, so you can’t help but react in certain situations.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I try to have a more proactive approach but have fallen into the trend of being more reactive.

 

[exnisstech]

I react to things that arise unexpectedly in the tank. But I'm proactive with equipment backups and such very much like @snorklr.

I walked by the tank and all the fish followed me from one end to the other - I then fed them.

Reactive? NO!

I fed them early today, I was being Proactive.

How can you say no?

 

[Reefer Matt]

I am both. I’m proactive by keeping up with maintenance, and reactive as tank ailments occur. Reef tanks are always subject to changes and it’s important to be ready to act WHEN something happens, not IF, imo.

 

[PharmrJohn]

In the past, I've been reactive. Not anymore. Not by a Longshot. LOL, one of the reasons I don't have a tank yet is that I do not feel I know enough yet. I need to get to a point where posting issues on this forum is (by far) the exception rather than the rule. I feel my knowledge base needs to be at least high intermediate or low expert prior to even starting. While I know MUCH more than I did during my last go around, I still have 'miles to go before I sleep' (to borrow from Robert Frost).

 

[Treefer32]

proactive. Spare heater on hand, spare return pump, spare salt, UV sterilizer installed, wyze cameras on display and sump, apex monitoring for power, temp, and trending of ph. Testing and reacting if necessary (slowly and gradually). Proactive in the sense of running a reef mat, algae turf scrubber and skimmer. Proactively reactive. Have a avast plank auto feeder and a frozen food feeder on the way! should be here this week. Can't wait to automate frozen food feeding.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I'm reactive? I think

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I react to things that arise unexpectedly in the tank. But I'm proactive with equipment backups and such very much like @snorklr.


How can you say no?

Man, you have a ton of great-looking fish in there! Seems like you are reacting correctly haha.

 

[Timfish]

Definitely proactive! Complacency kills. But I have to add sometimes proactive means not doing anything to add stress to a system and let things work out with minimal intervention.

 

[GARRIGA]

I'm overly proactive and why it's taking decades to get my dream tank (since the 80s). Being aware of existing concerns I expect to experience without a plan to solve them what's been slowing me down and now that I'm finally at a point in life where place, financial means and time will allow that dream tank I still have hurdles such as available juice where placed to run it and power outrages. Leap before looking not my style although that doesn't always assure success but at a minimum it does reduce failure.

 

[1112-425XL]

Yes, absolutely!