What rules of the hobby do you break?

Jeremy Blaze · 05/31/2006, 12:31 PM

I was talking to a fellow reefer the other day, and he said, man you break all the rules! So that got me to thinking, and just wondering what 'rules' do you break?

Me,

1. Liverock. I run my tanks with about .5 to .75 lb of rock per gallon, apposed to the 1 to 2 lbs I here most people say. My reasons are , better flow through the structre, thus less detritus build up, makes for an interesting structure instead of a fruit stand.

2. Temps. My reefs run 82 ot 85 degrees. Faster growth rates, less chance of parisites, ich,etc.. And nessesity, tanks will not run cooler due to lighting, and do not want a chiller.

3.Skimmer. Don't run one on home tank.

4. Calcium supplement. Just dump a little kalk wasser in every now and then.

5. Water changes. Once about every 4 months. Low fish load, less waste. Also harvest algae from sump weekly to remove nutrients.

Well, thats about all I can think of. SO, whats yours?

CrystalAZ · 05/31/2006, 12:33 PM

Testing - I used to test once a week or so, but I haven't tested my water in at least six or eight months. The only thing I watch is temp and once in a while, salinity. I haven't even turned my pH meter on in months!

Crystal

MCary · 05/31/2006, 12:36 PM

I go swimming less than an hour after eating.

Jeremy Blaze · 05/31/2006, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MCary
I go swimming less than an hour after eating.

Wrong hobby.

Oh, yeah, I rarely test either. But I keep a ph meter on the tank 24/7.

Tate · 05/31/2006, 12:40 PM

I use tap water, and have done three water changes in the past year and a half my current thriving tank has been going. I have hardly any algea, btw.

affan · 05/31/2006, 12:43 PM

I don't acclimate. I straight dump 'em all in the tank whether it's fish or corals.

jaymz101 · 05/31/2006, 01:04 PM

All of the above.... but I feel really bad about it

but dont tell anyone...

rustybucket145 · 05/31/2006, 01:10 PM

My tank is in my sunroom which gets natural light all day. Many people say that this is bad b/c it causes algae growth. I haven't seen this except for in my fuge. Chaeto grows like mad

. Corals and fish do great with the natural light supplement.

Oh and the testing thing......

affan · 05/31/2006, 01:10 PM

I don't feed.

affan · 05/31/2006, 01:11 PM

Wait, is that a rule?

RichConley · 05/31/2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rustybucket145
My tank is in my sunroom which gets natural light all day. Many people say that this is bad b/c it causes algae growth. I haven't seen this except for in my fuge. Chaeto grows like mad . Corals and fish do great with the natural light supplement.

Oh and the testing thing......

My tank has never done so well as the year it was infront of a window. Anyone who thinks sunlight leads to algae growth has no idea what theyre tlaking about. Algae comes from nutrients.

As to #1, I dont think using less than the 1-2lbs is really breaking the rules. I do the same thing. Most of the SPS guys I know run less than the reccomended. Its easier to get good flow that way. I thinkt he people reccomending 2lbs per gallon are just 10 years behind.

affan · 05/31/2006, 01:14 PM

I use Windex to clean my glass.

Crusty Old Shellback · 05/31/2006, 01:21 PM

Moat of what was posted, nautral sun light, testing, rock, adding suplements, waterchanges.

I also don't Qt and i use NSW. Both of which I've been chastised by the "experts" for doing. Tanks been running just fine for 7+ years with no outbreaks under these methods.

I wonder how many Paul B has broke in his 35 + year old tank?

omni2226 · 05/31/2006, 01:30 PM

One main "rule" I guess. The mythical turnover rate.
I have two 150 GPH powerheads in a 55 gallon so according to the experts rule Im slacking. All my animals are fat healthy and growing like weeds so...meh.

Mike.B · 05/31/2006, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by affan
I use Windex to clean my glass.

whats wrong with windex?

HotHotHot · 05/31/2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by subzero420
whats wrong with windex?

*Ammonia*

I have 3 blue tags in a 225 (which used to be in a 90). I can hear the sirens now!

Ed

affan · 05/31/2006, 01:51 PM

aaaaahhhhhh I have two extra large tangs in a 200 gallon, and two large in a 100 gallon

affan · 05/31/2006, 01:54 PM

Jeremy Blaze · 05/31/2006, 01:57 PM

The ammonia thing is a myth. Unless you are spraying it in the tank.

I have heard people say that if you clean the glass with it the ammonia will seep through the glass into the tank. This is total BS.

Amphiprion · 05/31/2006, 02:02 PM

I use just kalkwasser for top off. I do water changes about every 4-6 months--but when I do, I change ~40% or so. I may feed once a week.

tkang69 · 05/31/2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HotHotHot
*Ammonia*

I have 3 blue tags in a 225 (which used to be in a 90). I can hear the sirens now!

Ed

Wait....So windex can leach through the glass and affect your water? Say it ain't so!

bennerkla · 05/31/2006, 02:03 PM

I bought a seaclone....

doesn't get much worse than that.

Amphiprion · 05/31/2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tkang69
Wait....So windex can leach through the glass and affect your water? Say it ain't so!

No, see Jeremy's post.

bennerkla · 05/31/2006, 02:04 PM

tkang69-

it is only bad if you spray it in the same room, as it can get in the air and into your tank. I just windex, just add it to the paper towel in a different room.

RichConley · 05/31/2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bennerkla
tkang69-

it is only bad if you spray it in the same room, as it can get in the air and into your tank. I just windex, just add it to the paper towel in a different room.

Its ammonia, who cares. Do you realize how much ammonia your tank can process? Especially if you have a fuge....

The amount in the air from spraying windex istn going to make ANY difference.

05/31/2006, 12:33 PM	#2
CrystalAZ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NW Phoenix, AZ Posts: 4,130	Testing - I used to test once a week or so, but I haven't tested my water in at least six or eight months. The only thing I watch is temp and once in a while, salinity. I haven't even turned my pH meter on in months! Crystal __________________ SAVE THE BRISTLEWORMS! The BPA reminds you that "Bristleworms are our pals." Current Tank Info: Check out my gallery for lots of tank pics

05/31/2006, 12:40 PM	#5
Tate Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri Posts: 388	I use tap water, and have done three water changes in the past year and a half my current thriving tank has been going. I have hardly any algea, btw. __________________ 100g long FOWLR Current Tank Info: 100g fowlr and NanoCube 6g

05/31/2006, 01:10 PM	#8
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	My tank is in my sunroom which gets natural light all day. Many people say that this is bad b/c it causes algae growth. I haven't seen this except for in my fuge. Chaeto grows like mad . Corals and fish do great with the natural light supplement. Oh and the testing thing...... __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

05/31/2006, 01:21 PM	#13
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	Moat of what was posted, nautral sun light, testing, rock, adding suplements, waterchanges. I also don't Qt and i use NSW. Both of which I've been chastised by the "experts" for doing. Tanks been running just fine for 7+ years with no outbreaks under these methods. I wonder how many Paul B has broke in his 35 + year old tank? __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

05/31/2006, 01:30 PM	#14
omni2226 Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Middle Florida Posts: 774	One main "rule" I guess. The mythical turnover rate. I have two 150 GPH powerheads in a 55 gallon so according to the experts rule Im slacking. All my animals are fat healthy and growing like weeds so...meh. __________________ I know enough to know I know nothing. Current Tank Info: 55 Marine. 29 Freshwater planted.

05/31/2006, 12:31 PM	#1
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	What rules of the hobby do you break? I was talking to a fellow reefer the other day, and he said, man you break all the rules! So that got me to thinking, and just wondering what 'rules' do you break? Me, 1. Liverock. I run my tanks with about .5 to .75 lb of rock per gallon, apposed to the 1 to 2 lbs I here most people say. My reasons are , better flow through the structre, thus less detritus build up, makes for an interesting structure instead of a fruit stand. 2. Temps. My reefs run 82 ot 85 degrees. Faster growth rates, less chance of parisites, ich,etc.. And nessesity, tanks will not run cooler due to lighting, and do not want a chiller. 3.Skimmer. Don't run one on home tank. 4. Calcium supplement. Just dump a little kalk wasser in every now and then. 5. Water changes. Once about every 4 months. Low fish load, less waste. Also harvest algae from sump weekly to remove nutrients. Well, thats about all I can think of. SO, whats yours? __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

05/31/2006, 12:36 PM	#3
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	I go swimming less than an hour after eating.

05/31/2006, 12:43 PM	#6
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	I don't acclimate. I straight dump 'em all in the tank whether it's fish or corals.

05/31/2006, 01:04 PM	#7
jaymz101 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 410	All of the above.... but I feel really bad about it but dont tell anyone...

05/31/2006, 01:11 PM	#10
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	Wait, is that a rule?

05/31/2006, 01:14 PM	#12
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	I use Windex to clean my glass.

05/31/2006, 01:51 PM	#17
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	aaaaahhhhhh I have two extra large tangs in a 200 gallon, and two large in a 100 gallon

05/31/2006, 01:54 PM	#18
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125

05/31/2006, 01:57 PM	#19
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	The ammonia thing is a myth. Unless you are spraying it in the tank. I have heard people say that if you clean the glass with it the ammonia will seep through the glass into the tank. This is total BS. __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

05/31/2006, 02:02 PM	#20
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	I use just kalkwasser for top off. I do water changes about every 4-6 months--but when I do, I change ~40% or so. I may feed once a week. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

05/31/2006, 02:03 PM	#22
bennerkla Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,046	I bought a seaclone.... doesn't get much worse than that. __________________ -Ben

05/31/2006, 02:04 PM	#24
bennerkla Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,046	tkang69- it is only bad if you spray it in the same room, as it can get in the air and into your tank. I just windex, just add it to the paper towel in a different room. __________________ -Ben