LOL<
Oh , things are healthy enough , at least from the salt mix. I do have acro’s that have survived multiple tank crashes due to things like a 5 day power outage(hurricane Isabelle 2003) and even a 9 year old nasty hand nipping damsel that I can’t catch and just wont DIE! I’ve never had a problem i could relate to the salt. I’ve Used it for 10 - 11 years now with all levels of success from phantasmagorical to crud. But those changes i can relate directly to my care and maintenance of my bio filter, and cleaning the rock, sand beds and filter pads.
When the biology is right, the tank and corals and fish are right. My fish never get sick. last forever. My spawning clowns I bought in 2004 right after the hurricane outage crash. they are still looking fine. never a spot. So yes, i am a sceptic for hype. I look at what the salt brand gives, what i need and what i can do with it. I consider it a starting point. true, i like to experiment a bit more than most. all my tanks are lab rats now. mostly to play with low cost ways of reefing.
But my experience has been, biology rules. a little off, a little cyano, and other things means its not right, and the corals and fish will suffer from the toxic byproducts of a sputtering out of balance biotope. and i try to achieve a happy biotope with the least amount of equipment and supplies and maintenance. Sometimes i hit the mark and things go bonkers. but slack off on upkeep and it falls apart. But that’s my research project. when i get it down to a science, i’ll let you know.
Until then, I believe the biology is the key to a healthy tank. and it doesnt have to cost a lot, or use a lot of expensive equipment, but needs some understanding and observation and regular cleaning. which as it turns out, i’m sorta lax at. but i do catch up now and then.
Hey, I didnt need broad band for a while. Like Radney said in Easy Money, I’m just browsing.
On the reef side to make my point, Ive changed my frag tank sand bed from south down ( which was sliming up) to a 1 1/2 inch aragonite bed, and it is now cycling, i’ve been cleaning off the slime, and sand and it seems to be going away. and voila! the acros start basing and coloring up once the toxic slime goes away. like in a few days. no water changes. So its not the salt. Its the bio balance.
But my experience has been, biology rules. a little off, a little cyano, and other things means its not right, and the corals and fish will suffer from the toxic byproducts of a sputtering out of balance biotope. and i try to achieve a happy biotope with the least amount of equipment and supplies and maintenance. Sometimes i hit the mark and things go bonkers. but slack off on upkeep and it falls apart.
Could not agree more.
Until then, I believe the biology is the key to a healthy tank. and it doesnt have to cost a lot, or use a lot of expensive equipment, but needs some understanding and observation and regular cleaning
Again, i agree.
Just keep in mind that chemistry affects biology. I certainly dont want to advocate the purchasing of expensive equipment seeing how im a die hard DIYer but i feel that the old adage “you get what you pay for” is often more true than not in this hobby as it is elsewhere. If you have a LOT of time to devote to your tanks then there are certainly a lot of ways to save money. Time is money! Find the balance that best suites your needs and lifestyle. I dont have time or money so im screwed all the way around! >LOL<
[quote=“logans_daddy, post:23, topic:2756”]
Time is money! Find the balance that best suites your needs and lifestyle. I dont have time or money so im screwed all the way around! >LOL<[/quote]
Second that.