Haven't checked a parameter in months

[yellowtruck75]

When I was in the hobby last time (~3 years ago) I tinkered too much. I had to make sure everything was perfect and always had my hands in the tank which I think is what lead to the tanks slow growth and demise. This time around I figured I would do the opposite. My current setup is a 90 gallon with a 40 gallon sump.. I am running a Reef Octopus skimmer which I haven't looked at in a long time(might need emptied now ), 2 Radions for lighting and an MP40W for current. I have ~ 50 pounds of BRS dead rock which has purpled up nicely over the last several months. Currently I only have 4 fish (yellow tang, 2 percs and a pixie hawk fish). For corals I have a large colt, huge toadstool leather, pulsing xenia, orange ricordia, and a torch. I also have 3 small clams (blue maxima, squamosa, & a deresa). Like I said I haven't checked a single parameter since probably February (including salinity) and everything is growing and doing great. All I do each day is feed the fish, check on the corals and top off the sump. I know this contradicts what alot of other hobbyists do but it works for me. I don't have any good pictures right now because the corraline is out of control and covering the front glass. Just thought I would share and see if anyone else does a similar practice.

Forgot to mention that the tank is 10+ months old.

 

[downbeach]

I think, in the long run, you would be better served to find some middle ground.

 

[mbingha]

I think, in the long run, you would be better served to find some middle ground.

I'm with this guy. I don't subscribe to daily or even weekly tests, but once or twice a month once the tank has stabilized. I hardly consider 10 months to be considered a success story. That tank isn't even broken in yet lol

 

[sirreal63]

If you never change the oil in your car, never check the fluids or put air in the tires, everything will be ok until the day it isn't. Losing an engine from excessive metal particles, starving the engine from a clogged filter, a coolant leak not noticed, etc etc, all will result in the demise of a car before it's time.

Not changing water, cleaning the skimmer, pumps, powerheads and not keeping the alk, calcium and mag in the correct levels is not taking care of the living creatures you have. Sure they will be ok for a while, until they are not. I am surprised with the length of time you have been in the hobby that you don't realize that the path you are on is not a healthy one.

I can agree that sometimes things may be done unnecessarily but that is far better than deciding to just not be bothered to do them. It may appear to be working now, but how long can you expect that to continue?

 

[AZBigJohn]

For me, it's the "tinkering" that is the relaxing part of the hobby... I love to sit and stare at the life in the tank, too, but it's the "doing my chemistry" (as my wife has taken to calling it) that makes this feel like a participatory hobby...

There are a wide range of people and practices here, and many successful people that advocate every possible practice. Just ask how often people do water changes and you'll get answers from "minuscule daily ones" to "I only do top-offs".

I guess what I am trying to say is find practices that keep the tank interesting in your life, and keep the tank thriving, and go from there.

 

[JohnniG]

Somewhere in between might be the best option

 

[outssider]

Just because you're not testing doesn't mean your not dosing...so....are you dosing anything.....you are most likely not using up much cal/alk right now. Other than the coralline algae and clams, not much to use calcium up.

 

[yellowtruck75]

No dosing right now. I will be starting to dose Kalk soon which means I will start testing again soon.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Haven't checked a parameter in months

I only have 4 fish (yellow tang, 2 percs and a pixie hawk fish). For corals I have a large colt, huge toadstool leather, pulsing xenia, orange ricordia, and a torch. I also have 3 small clams (blue maxima, squamosa, & a deresa)

Sums it up right there.

Lets see a picture of your tank.

 

[HUNTER1]

My tank is 10 months old as well and I've only done testing when it was cycling and after cycled. I tested the alk mag ph and calcium in it's first month and never after that. I test the salinity every month though.

 

[jimlin]

i test every other day when initially setting it up, but after the cycle i just test for salinity every week and test others if i notice something is not right with the tank. skimmer cleaned and emptied once every 3 days.

 

[matt_97055]

I got mine up and running and I check every thing but salinity. 6 weeks later I decided to check it and it was down around 1.00. I am so glad I didn't have anything in it. So I check it once a week now.

 

[Sprink669]

Don't go chasing the "perfect" numbers it will drive you crazy!