What was the one thing you did that kicked your tank to the next level?

[jkobel]

Hi all!!

I've been in this hobby for close to 20 years and have many tanks in that time, some more successful than others.

What was the one thing you did that seemed to unlock the next level of growth and success?

-Or-

What was the one thing you did that brought your "meh" tank to "wow"?

 

[Jack Ravensbergen]

Stability....

 

[Fish_Fry]

Trace Elements – I dismissed adding trace elements as unnecessary for years. I was wrong.

If I may ask, how did you work through this decision? Did you run a ICP test, or just try it on a whim? How long was it before you saw an improvement?
Thanks

 

[chip shop]

Stopped searching for perfect numbers left it alone and started really enjoying it like I used to

 

[stewy14]

I moved my wavemaker! then everything started opening!

 

[RelaxingWithTheReef]

If I may ask, how did you work through this decision? Did you run a ICP test, or just try it on a whim? How long was it before you saw an improvement?
Thanks

Some of the corals in my SPS tank had slow growth, bleached brown color, and burnt tips. I used the very sensitive Oceamo ICP-MS test to identify a trace element problem with iron. I corrected the deficiency, and 24 hours later it was clear something good was happening. I daily dose this tank with individual elements, and the tank is amazing now.

This got me thinking about my mixed pico tank that could not go more than 7 days without a water change before the SPS would show signs of stress. An ICP-MS test identified trace element problems that I corrected with individual elements. I daily dose this tank, and as an experiment I’m currently on day 76 without a WC. Quite impressive given the tank consumes about 4 dKH alkalinity per day. Cheers to the No-WC club.

I started dosing Tropic Marin A- K+ to my two mixed tanks, and over the next few weeks they both experienced significant improvement in growth, color, and the zoas really opened up. These tanks would experience good growth for a bit, and then for no reason the growth would suddenly stop. The tanks would just look off, and I couldn’t put my finger on the problem. I never did an ICP test on these tanks, just started using TM A K elements, and it made a big difference.

With 4 out of 4 tanks improved, plus reports of success from others, it convinced me that I was wrong about trace element additions in general not being necessary. Iron, Manganese, Cobalt, and Zinc additions appear to be the most important elements for my tanks. They are biologically active, and deplete rapidly.

I think something like TM A K is a great product if you want to keep things simple. I would use it even if your tank is doing great, and even if you see no response after trying it. I equate its use to your car and its gas tank. With your gas tank on empty, if the engine is still running fine, it does not mean you shouldn’t get more gas. If a trace element gets depleted, and the tank starts to show symptoms, it’s too late in my opinion.

Another important thing I use is 25% of the recommended dosage (because it’s so strong) of ROX 0.8 GAC on all the tanks.

If you choose to ICP test, or if your tank is just not right, then the more sensitive ICP-MS is a must in my opinion in order to identify biologically active trace element deficiencies that cannot be detected with standard ICP.

 

[LoneStarReef]

Three things:

1) Trident. Game changer. I’m currently overseas and could see that my alk was dropping below my desired level. I remotely added more All For Reef and now I’m back in range.

2) All For Reef. This stuff is amazing. Wish it was a little less expensive but man it works well. It keeps the “big three” in perfect harmony.

3) Removed macro algae from the refugium. It just kept my nutrients way too low so I was struggling with coral growth. Now my corals are happy and I'm relying on other methods for nutrient export: mostly more coral and a robust clean up crew. Haven’t struggled with GHA or any other algae outbreak for quite a while. Don’t get me wrong I still have algae but it’s kept under control with the clean up crew.

 

[steveschuerger]

I don’t think I’m there quite yet but I’m getting closer. One thing that’s helped is getting more consistent with dosing Alk/Ca/Mag , trace elements and small doses of iodide . Biweekly waterchanges of 10% as well.

 

[Paul B]

About 45 years ago I decided to go natural. No medications, no quarantine, no chemicals, no tweeking, no observing, no dry foods of any type. If I don't find it in the sea, I don't add it.

Now my fish normally all only die of old age and I haven't seen any signs of disease since then.

 

[Doctorgori]

What was the one thing you did that brought your "meh" tank to "wow"?

This guy had a lot to do with it

then the more sensitive ICP-MS is a must in my opinion in order to identify biologically active trace element deficiencies that cannot be detected with standard ICP.

I got an opinion earlier but just for more sample, who do you recommend?

 

[-XENOMORPH-]

I stopped looking for "new cures" new devices to plug in the power strip.
I'm trying g to simplify. Hahahhaha

I have a 90 gallon. I use AFR, manually. Lol... yeah I know, crazy. But (one less device)
I manually add r.o. water to sump, (again, i less device).
I have 2 jager heaters plugged into an inkbird controller.
I have two AI primes programmed on the app.
I have a reef octopus skimmer running 24/7.
I use 1 Nero 5, programmed on the ap.
And, shockingly, an AC return pump! Ac.... crazy....I know.
I feed 5 different types of cube food which I just thaw first in a cup of tank water, stir it up with a fork, and dump it In once a day.
I manually cut up live frozen clams once a week to manually feed my 13?? Anemonees. Crazy., i started with 2. Lol.
I haven't had to acquire new living things for my tank In years. And, nothing has passed away. So my setup works for me. It doesn't mean it would work for you. I've learned everyone's tank is different. Well, mostly.
But the thing is, I enjoy spending the whopping 10 minutes a day doing this stuff. So, I just don't want automated systems. I guess I'm old. Hahahhah
Is 50 old?
So, after babbling.... one thing....
One thing is just k.i.s.s.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

This guy had a lot to do with it

I got an opinion earlier but just for more sample, who do you recommend?

See I’m more of a fan of this guy, he’s the one that has allowed my tank to progress

 

[kboogie]

I added a Sulfur De-Nitrator to my FOWLR. It was a life changer.

 

[Reef Puncher]

Fine — I’ll bite

Trident: I’m too lazy to test so knowing your trend is very important
CaRx: once you know alk levels, dial in the CaRx and go into autopilot mode

My 4yo 150g SPS tank is super easy to maintain - just clean the glass and skimmer, feed nori every other day, that’s it! No WC, nada.

im thinking about buying the maven hydros once reviews come out. then i wont have to test for anything ever again

 

[Paul B]

Is 50 old?

Nope, I don't remember when I was 50 but I probably have socks older than that.

 

[ClownSchool]

Hi all!!

I've been in this hobby for close to 20 years and have many tanks in that time, some more successful than others.

What was the one thing you did that seemed to unlock the next level of growth and success?

-Or-

What was the one thing you did that brought your "meh" tank to "wow"?

Skipped all the fancy aminos and designer foods and just started dosing phyto.
I brake a frozen chunk of Rod’s fish food into a cup with RO/DI and broadcast feed with a measuring spoon for the corals that eat meatier food as part of my fish’s normal diet.
Super easy. None of the nitrate or phosphate swings from over feeding concentrates like ReefRoids.
The stability really improved growth.

 

[bakbay]

im thinking about buying the maven hydros once reviews come out. then i wont have to test for anything ever again

I have 2 tridents (no NPs though) on two tanks and a Hydros on another tank. I'm looking forward to the Maven as well but might stay on the sidelines for ~6mos until the reviews are in & the kinks are ironed out. I heard that the Trident NP got a 50% accuracy rate so not too fond of that...

 

[Reef Puncher]

I have 2 tridents (no NPs though) on two tanks and a Hydros on another tank. I'm looking forward to the Maven as well but might stay on the sidelines for ~6mos until the reviews are in & the kinks are ironed out. I heard that the Trident NP got a 50% accuracy rate so not too fond of that...

yea i have been reading review after review. the consensus seems that it tests nitrates great. but all the complaints are that phosphate readings show 0 for anything below 0.1. so if you have 0.06, it shows as zero. which that sucks.

 

[jkobel]

About 45 years ago I decided to go natural. No medications, no quarantine, no chemicals, no tweeking, no observing, no dry foods of any type. If I don't find it in the sea, I don't add it.

Now my fish normally all only die of old age and I haven't seen any signs of disease since then.

Paul, your story and tank are a legend around here, thanks for viewing my thread!

 

[jkobel]

Skipped all the fancy aminos and designer foods and just started dosing phyto.
I brake a frozen chunk of Rod’s fish food into a cup with RO/DI and broadcast feed with a measuring spoon for the corals that eat meatier food as part of my fish’s normal diet.
Super easy. None of the nitrate or phosphate swings from over feeding concentrates like ReefRoids.
The stability really improved growth.

Whats in your tank if I might ask?

 

[bakbay]

About 45 years ago I decided to go natural. No medications, no quarantine, no chemicals, no tweeking, no observing, no dry foods of any type. If I don't find it in the sea, I don't add it.

Now my fish normally all only die of old age and I haven't seen any signs of disease since then.

Nice — I’ve done the same to my other “tank”. I don’t do any QT, no chemicals, no meds, no WC, no pellets, nada! The tank is super stable with excellent growth and color. It is a Samsung QLED 4K 75” with YouTube!