What was your "Aha" Moment in reefing?

[Gumbies R Us]

A lot of times, when we are trying to fix something with our tanks or are confused about a certain aspect, we get stumped and even discouraged. Then it happens: "AHA, that is what I needed/ that will fix my issue," and the next thing you know, the problem is solved. I am wondering what your "aha" moment was in reefing.

 

[everpresentnoob]

Im still waiting for mine, but right now id say finding this forum... So much information here.

 

[BryanM]

Maybe in the middle of one? Cautiously optimistic with dosing NeoNitro/Phos/Bacter7 to combat ostreopsis dinos.

Mini aha moment setting up dosers w/Apex, set them to on and was like... wait, why are you running and running and running. Need to be set to auto

But really, I haven't had an aha moment yet. Lots of OMG moments tho.

 

[corosato]

I think mine was learning to be methodical and not kitchen sink when it comes to problems. I'm not an expert by any means but I have certainly learned to slow down and let the processes work.

 

[TX_REEF]

my "aha" moment was embracing nitrate and phosphate. When I first got into reefing in the early 2000s, "zero nutrients" was still one of the biggest measures of success. When I finally embraced a healthy level of nitrate and phosphate in my systems, multiple problems disappeared (nussiance algae, dinos) and coral growth became more apparent.

 

[jimfish98]

I sat on this site, watched 52 weeks, and failed miserably with that huge tank everyone told me to get right off the bat. Converted it to freshwater and was done. About a year and half or two years later it hit me as an "aha"....I have been managing FW systems and a giant koi pond for 20 years, I know how to keep water. I turned off all of the opinions, ignored the videos, did things my way. Before I knew it my 25g nano was up and running, skipped the ugly cycle, and ran without any issues. Thirteen months later I converted that big tank back to a reef. Up and running my way for a bit over a year now with only a few minor issues. Needed to trust my gut and experience.

 

[KrisReef]

My recent "Aha" moment came when I realized that the CO2 tank was empty.

 

[ColorMeGone]

Mine was when I had a bunch of zoe frags (brand new tank with 3 month old, cycled rock) and kept checking my N03 10 + and P04 of 2.5. It kept reading 2.5 consistently and my zoes closed up for 2 weeks and tank crashed out. I checked my RODI water, and it too had a 2.5 reading. In the trash that test kit went (API) and got my P04 in the .03-.05 range now and all is well with new corals that are Happy

 

[bubbgee]

Mine was the value of pH. Once I got my pH up to 8.2 and above, I can see remarkable changes on my corals. It's difficult to maintain because of living where I am at, so I have been strategizing how to get there while keeping Alk lower than 12.

 

[ElementReefer]

I really thought a lot about this question. There are a lot of good answers. My biggest aha moment was…

Flow.

I think more than any single intervention, the thing that really got my first reef tank to take off was adding way, way more flow than I originally thought I needed.

 

[aSaltyKlown]

Some corals just don't do well in my tank. Don't change params for a single coral.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Bought a microscope and par meter. I’m not clairvoyant, and those eliminated the guesswork I used to do.

 

[EastCoastJon]

I sat on this site, watched 52 weeks, and failed miserably with that huge tank everyone told me to get right off the bat. Converted it to freshwater and was done. About a year and half or two years later it hit me as an "aha"....I have been managing FW systems and a giant koi pond for 20 years, I know how to keep water. I turned off all of the opinions, ignored the videos, did things my way. Before I knew it my 25g nano was up and running, skipped the ugly cycle, and ran without any issues. Thirteen months later I converted that big tank back to a reef. Up and running my way for a bit over a year now with only a few minor issues. Needed to trust my gut and experience.

this 100%

 

[jsmkmavity]

Over 20 years ago i got a hydrometer style salinity tester with my first tank which was a 110 gallon. It was years before i found out the "float" gets buildup on it over time and becomes more and more inaccurate. Yes i rinsed it after teeach use. Got a refractometer and calibrated it and was shocked to see how high my s.g. really was.

 

[AlyciaMarie]

 

[Pod_01]

My biggest “aha” moment was when I figured out how important phosphates are.
Once I stopped artificially lowering them or targeting a particular value things improved.

 

[UnnamedReef]

Biggest AHA for me was recently. Dealt with dinos and had to religiously test my tank to track NO3 and PO4 consumption. Tried removing filter socks and running my tank without them, and my consumption has gone WAY down since nutrients stay in the tank and aren't removed.

Everything looks great and now I only test once a week. Rarely any surprises, now I don't dose anymore. Socks are overrated (at least for my setup)

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

when I stopped using GFO when my dry rocks were leeching phosphate and going from .40 down to 0.09 without needing GFO.

Also- ridding my tank of red slime that was closing polyps on my coral (without using chemiclean). Flow, snow, and patience give me that aha moment.

 

[JayM]

My biggest "aha" moment was realizing that adding livestock to tackle algae and pest problems is far better than anything that comes from a manufacturing facility.

 

[rusty shackleford yes]

Thinking one of my hermit crabs died until i realized it was a molt lol. That or he had a cannibalistic clone that was eating his corpse.