Biggest mistake novices (and non-novices) make...

[Sk8r]

I have said this, but I want to say it double.

One of the worst things you can do to yourself (as a novice) is deciding in advance you know what your problem is or fix is (as a novice) and then asking advice on how to implement that fix.
You're sure to get the advice, but if you're wrong about what the problem actually IS, you're now in a more complicated mess.

You can often get the best advice by presenting the original problem, not how by asking how to do what you think might fix it....because someone will always tell you how, even if it isn't what you should do.

 

[anthonys51]

so true, my friend for months though his lights where bleaching his sps corals, although his kessil where only at 50% intensity and his lps where not bleaching. turned out 9 months later and all dead sps and lps that he finally tested nitrates and they where over 100ppm

 

[Sk8r]

That's exactly it. To fix a problem, focus on the problem...and give us the raw data (parameters) and possibly relevant recent events...

"I have a green blush on my rocks" is far more helpful than "how do I acid-bathe my rock?"

 

[anthonys51]

that same friend has a 110 gallon tank and doses 10 min of brs 2 part solution with dosing pumps. He also thinks raising his timer to 11 ml will raise his alk from 8 to 9 in 3 days. i keep telling him that 1 ml a day of brs alk solution wont raise your alk 1dkh in 3 days.

 

[Sk8r]

Lol---I'm a bear of small brain, like Winnie the Poo. I just dump kalk in my topoff water after setting my water parameters where I want them by hand-dosing. THat means it all stays on target until the magnesium runs below 1200 (which starts alk and cal to falling). Dosers must be nice, but I've got enough trouble keeping the autotopoff satisfied.