Is there a place where reef keeping methods are detailed?

[vadryn]

For every method of keeping a reef tank, there appears to be an equal and opposite method. I can't think of any aspect of the hobby where there's a concensus on best practice. Seems like were are far enough along as a hobby that we could have information compiled so that reefers (especially new ones) could research and choose a pathway to success.

Water Changes - No Water Changes
Filter Socks - No Socks
Skimmer - No Skimmer
Kalkwasser - No Kalk
Sandbed - Barebottom
Refugium - No Refugium
just to begin...

Not everything has equal rates of success, so a weighted value would be very useful. Does choosing one method increase complexity in other areas? (IE. Does anyone actually save money by not doing water changes? Isn't salt a lot cheaper than ICP and trace elements?)

Is it unrealistic to build a reefers guide to helping you be successful at the best possible rate?

 

[PharmrJohn]

What it boils down to is there are many paths to Nirvana. There's old, not so recent and new tech available to us. Choosing any one methodology along these lines defines choices moving forward both in procedure and hardware utilized. In addition, the evolution of any given tank is based on an individual's successes, failures and the resultant response to challenges until one finds the sweet spot. Then it's a matter of maintaining that which has been achieved. To me, this is what makes this hobby so darn cool! Each successful ecosystem is different in their own right!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I love the variety and complexity of this hobby. I run 3 different tanks in 3 different ways, so no, there will never be one clear path to success. Don't fight it, embrace it lol

 

[vadryn]

I agree in the fact that a magic recipe for reefkeeping doesn't exist. What I would like to see would be some best practices for the different methods. For instance:
-> I setup a 90g tank and I don't want to do water changes. What are the 4-5 most important things I should seriously consider to compensate for the lack of WC?
-> Another relevent one would be going with a bare-bottom tank. With no sand or substrate, how do I increase my chance of a successful tank?
-> Another one would be the relation of light intensity and flow.
-> How to have success with a relatively low Ph tank?

I feel like a resource like that would help new reefers be way more successful and keep them in the hobby.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Usually you have to pick someone with the type of tank you want, and emulate their success. There are way too many variables for default settings in reefing. It’s really a journey of trial and error other than that.

 

[areefer01]

For every method of keeping a reef tank, there appears to be an equal and opposite method. I can't think of any aspect of the hobby where there's a concensus on best practice. Seems like were are far enough along as a hobby that we could have information compiled so that reefers (especially new ones) could research and choose a pathway to success.

We used to call them books.

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Fenner. The Marine Aquarium Handbook, Moe. The Reef Aquarium, Sprung, Delbeek. The Reef tank owners Manual, Tullock. Few examples.

Today it is called social media, forums, discord, Siri, Alexa, and ChatGP.

As an aside there is no best, or better. Just different ways to reef. They can be equally successful if the hobbyist puts in the effort and treats the animals as pets vs a commodity.

 

[Reefer Matt]

We used to call them books.

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist, Fenner. The Marine Aquarium Handbook, Moe. The Reef Aquarium, Sprung, Delbeek. The Reef tank owners Manual, Tullock. Few examples.

Today it is called social media, forums, discord, Siri, Alexa, and ChatGP.

As an aside there is no best, or better. Just different ways to reef. They can be equally successful if the hobbyist puts in the effort and treats the animals as pets vs a commodity.

Another issue is that there is no widely accepted authority on reefing anymore. Hobbyists are continuously discovering new ways to advance the hobby, which is a good thing, imo.

 

[PotatoPig]

Usually you have to pick someone with the type of tank you want, and emulate their success. There are way too many variables for default settings in reefing. It’s really a journey of trial and error other than that.

Agree 100%

These systems are enormously complex and between volume, rocks, flow, lighting, livestock, microbes, feeding, maintenance, additives, etc every tank is a unique biome with unique sets of pros and cons.

There are protocols that are aimed at addressing or minimizing common risks or issues, but IMO none of these are a one size fits all. What works on one tank might not work on another tank, even one that’s nominally very similar.

Find what works for your tank, then do that.

 

[exnisstech]

I don't think there is any right or wrong way. Also what works in one tank does not always work in another. I have no idea why that is but it's been true for me. Build threads are a great source of methods used as long as people post failures along with successes.

 

[areefer01]

Another issue is that there is no widely accepted authority on reefing anymore.

There are. They just do not post on social media as much if at all.

Hobbyists are continuously discovering new ways to advance the hobby, which is a good thing, imo.

Sure, there is that. Then again some new hobbyist like to challenge the old guard or believe that they have not evolved with the time(s).

 

[Reefer Matt]

There are. They just do not post on social media as much if at all.

Agreed there are some highly respected Reefers/authors, however their methods and advice don’t apply to everyone either. Also, not everyone will agree on their methods. Even marine biologists have trouble with reef tanks occasionally, everyone does. It’s up to each Reefer to research multiple sources of info, and make the decisions for themselves.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I don't think there is any right or wrong way. Also what works in one tank does not always work in another. I have no idea why that is but it's been true for me. Build threads are a great source of methods used as long as people post failures along with successes.

This is exactly what I was going to comment on. Do what works best for you. Some people on here don't do water changes while others do one every week. Some do not have automation, and some have the tank fully automated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

In terms of the chemistry, there are several articles that would be good to review at the start...

The Many Methods for Supplementing Calcium and Alkalinity - REEFEDITION

There is no aspect of reef aquarium chemistry more important than calcium and alkalinity. Many of my previous articles have described various aspects of these systems in detail. In reading those articles, aquarists will note one pervasive theme: that maintaining appropriate levels of each are...

www.reefedition.com

How a Two Part Alkalinity and Calcium System Works, and Why it Matters

How a Two Part Alkalinity and Calcium System Works, and Why it Matters By Randy Holmes-Farley This article is intended to help aquarists understand some of the important differences between the great variety of two and three part alkalinity and...

www.reef2reef.com

Optimal Parameters for a Coral Reef Aquarium: By Randy Holmes-Farley

[note: edited on 5/29/2022 to update the nitrate and phosphate sections with higher recommended levels.] One of the main roles of an aquarist with a coral reef aquarium is to ensure that the conditions are right for their tank inhabitants. There...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[GARRIGA]

Considering most of what I'm planning to do and test likely not covered by most reefers goes to show this would be a very long list of this or that or not...