Reef Tank Maturity

[Gellisjr1]

At what point is a reef tank matured and does it get better as time goes on?

My reef is just over a year old now. Fish are very healthy, corals are growing, I can see bacteria line in the sand were it meets the glass. I have some coralline spots but I think there should be more than there is. Over all a healthy tank.

Gordon

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Yes, it does depend on the tank size to a degree. The smaller the tank, the more difficult to keep stable. But, after a year, as long as you keep up with your maintenance, you should be a bit more at ease now.

 

[Dom]

At what point is a reef tank matured and does it get better as time goes on?

My reef is just over a year old now. Fish are very healthy, corals are growing, I can see bacteria line in the sand were it meets the glass. I have some coralline spots but I think there should be more than there is. Over all a healthy tank.

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

A full tank picture will help to determine the maturity of a tank.

Any tank is a self-contained ecosystem. Once set up, it needs to be nurtured and cared for, just like a garden.

In general, I would consider your tank "matured" after a year. But was it a trouble-free year or did you run into problems along the way?

Dom

 

[doubleshot00]

My tank took off at the one year mark. But i had coraline infestation at 6 months.

 

[Gellisjr1]

Hi Gordon,

A full tank picture will help to determine the maturity of a tank.

Any tank is a self-contained ecosystem. Once set up, it needs to be nurtured and cared for, just like a garden.

In general, I would consider your tank "matured" after a year. But was it a trouble-free year or did you run into

Hi Gordon,

A full tank picture will help to determine the maturity of a tank.

Any tank is a self-contained ecosystem. Once set up, it needs to be nurtured and cared for, just like a garden.

In general, I would consider your tank "matured" after a year. But was it a trouble-free year or did you run into problems along the way?

Dom

Dom

I have been thinking about the micro biome of the tank and how it effects stability more than anything.

I have had some learning experiences along the way. It has been over 20 years since I had a reef tank setup. The technology has certainly changed. My biggest challenge has been nutrient control. I finally have things under control thanks to a media reactor with carbon & Phosphate media and a algae reactor.

I've lost some corals along the way. while some of the original 10 corals I bought for the tank are still going strong. I attributed those losses due to nutrient levels which maybe true but as I learn more about the micro biome perhaps the tank was not ready to support those corals.

Posted a photo of of my tank taken today. A photo from Dec. 5th and a photo when new.

Gordon

 

[Dom]

Dom

I have been thinking about the micro biome of the tank and how it effects stability more than anything.

I have had some learning experiences along the way. It has been over 20 years since I had a reef tank setup. The technology has certainly changed. My biggest challenge has been nutrient control. I finally have things under control thanks to a media reactor with carbon & Phosphate media and a algae reactor.

I've lost some corals along the way. while some of the original 10 corals I bought for the tank are still going strong. I attributed those losses due to nutrient levels which maybe true but as I learn more about the micro biome perhaps the tank was not ready to support those corals.

Posted a photo of of my tank taken today. A photo from Dec. 5th and a photo when new.

Gordon

I like the progression of your tank. It appears to be a well established!

 

[Gellisjr1]

I like the progression of your tank. It appears to be a well established!

Thank you. I've put in a lot of work to get this far.

 

[Dom]

Thank you. I've put in a lot of work to get this far.

It shows.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I think a year is maybe the point where things start to really settle in, but I think that progression continues for a long time and there is a difference between a typical 1 year old tank and a 10 year old tank. Where that point of diminished change happens, I have no clue. Just loose unscientific observation for having a single reef setup for 20+ years and watching numerous other local reefers systems in similar age brackets.