Reefbusters: Share your favorite reefing myths!

[Gumbies R Us]

Do you remember the show MythBusters? The show was where scientists would try to prove whether a myth was real. I used to love this show as a kid, and I loved seeing all the crazy experiments the people on the show would do. I wonder what your favorite reefing myths are and if they have been busted. If they have not been busted, maybe someone can prove if they are true or not.

 

[TX_REEF]

"popping bubble algae will make it spread out of control"

 

[AlyciaMarie]

"popping bubble algae will make it spread out of control"

 

[Reefer Matt]

“More par is better”.

 

[Dburr1014]

A nem will crash a tank if it dies.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

if you just have one aiptasia dont worry about it

 

[Gumbies R Us]

A nem will crash a tank if it dies.

That's interesting. I haven't heard of this one before.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Vibrant?
Prime?
Toxic nitrite?
Damaged buffer systems?
Kalk+2?
Polymers that bind phosphate


The list is sadly long.

 

[Dburr1014]

That's interesting. I haven't heard of this one before.

I just read it on your wife's anemone thread.

 

[JoJosReef]

Vibrant comes to mind...

 

[SeeSnek]

You should have zero nitrates and phosphates to keep stony corals

 

[Gumbies R Us]

You should have zero nitrates and phosphates to keep stony corals

I've heard this one before!

 

[Doctorgori]

• white light causes algae, red light is harmful to corals
• Moorish Idols need to be kept in a group to survive
• Rock Beauty needs a sponge diet
• ich comes from toilet seats
• mandarin fish can’t be maintained on commercial food
• polyp extension is a indicator of coral health
• Nitrates are harmful???? (or jury is still out)
• you need to maintain 78F as the optimal reef temperature

 

[Gumbies R Us]

• white light causes algae, red light is harmful to corals
• Moorish Idols need to be kept in a group to survive
• Rock Beauty needs a sponge diet
• ich comes from toilet seats
• mandarin fish can’t be maintained on commercial food
• polyp extension is a indicator of coral health
• Nitrates are harmful???? (or jury is still out)
• you need to maintain 78F as the optimal reef temperature

Ich comes from toilet seats? Now, that is one that I have never heard of.

 

[Doctorgori]

Ich comes from toilet seats? Now, that is one that I have never heard of.

All embarrassing diseases originate from toilet seats, I thought everyone knew that ….sheeeeeez

 

[Dburr1014]

Algae doesn't grow in blue light.

 

[aztoza]

• white light causes algae, red light is harmful to corals
• Moorish Idols need to be kept in a group to survive
• Rock Beauty needs a sponge diet
• ich comes from toilet seats
• mandarin fish can’t be maintained on commercial food
• polyp extension is a indicator of coral health
• Nitrates are harmful???? (or jury is still out)
• you need to maintain 78F as the optimal reef temperature

What does indicate healthy corals then? Growth?
Just added the first one and keeping an eye =)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

What does indicate healthy corals then? Growth?
Just added the first one and keeping an eye =)

What if it isn't growing but still looks healthy? It's an interesting thought, for sure!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I might be inclined to add ammonia toxicity to the list. It is much less toxic than most reefers think because so much of the new aquarist literature focuses on minimizing ammonia.

IMO, that focus has likely hurt the hobby.

 

[jermzisurmom]

Hair algae can be maintained..... Pfffft