What are the Secrets to Stability?

[Mock]

I figured I would start a thread to just get everyone's opinion and tips of the trade on stability.

We all know this is key to any reef tank softies and alike but we all know it is crucial to SPS dominated tanks.

So, how do you maintain stability for years, what are some tips or tricks you use to make sure that things remain the same for long periods of time?

 

[Webmanny]

For me things took a turn for the best when I got my Reef Keeper controller, but there are other things below that will also make it easier to keep a tank stable.

Reef Controller
Auto Top Off (ATO)
Automatic feeder (Keeps you from over feeding)
Heater
Automated dosing pump (This will help maintain CA, ALK and Mag in between water changes)
Weekly water changes (If you can automate this, even better)
Monthly water testing (This will help you ensure stability plan is working)

I'm sure I am missing something, but these are the ones that come to mind.

 

[RA]

250g In-Wall, 75g fuge, 40g sump, Aqua Euro PS-400, DA RK Elite, 2x400w 14k Halides + 270w T5 supplements, 2 MP40s, 2 WP40s, MRC-6 Calcium Reactor

First off I wouldn't want to have your electric bill, but that wasn't your question. To maintain stability you need to have an ATO and then either use kalk in the ATO (that's what I use) or have dosing pumps.

 

[Mock]

250g In-Wall, 75g fuge, 40g sump, Aqua Euro PS-400, DA RK Elite, 2x400w 14k Halides + 270w T5 supplements, 2 MP40s, 2 WP40s, MRC-6 Calcium Reactor

First off I wouldn't want to have your electric bill, but that wasn't your question. To maintain stability you need to have an ATO and then either use kalk in the ATO (that's what I use) or have dosing pumps.

Our Electric bill is an argument every month.

 

[3dees]

depends on the type of coral you have. for sps I agree with most above. far different for softies and many lps. for my 120 gal softie/lps tank,
no controller
no auto top off
no auto feeder
yes on heater
I don't dose anything
wc's every 2-3 weeks
and no sump. just saying, it can be done without all the extras. I think a lot of people hesitate to try saltwater because they are told that they need all kinds of fancy, expensive equipment. yes, an sps tank is the most demanding, but there are other types of tanks, including fowlr, that can be just as rewarding.

 

[Webmanny]

depends on the type of coral you have. for sps I agree with most above. far different for softies and many lps. for my 120 gal softie/lps tank,
no controller
no auto top off
no auto feeder
yes on heater
I don't dose anything
wc's every 2-3 weeks
and no sump. just saying, it can be done without all the extras. I think a lot of people hesitate to try saltwater because they are told that they need all kinds of fancy, expensive equipment. yes, an sps tank is the most demanding, but there are other types of tanks, including fowlr, that can be just as rewarding.

I agree, you can do it without all the extra automation stuff if you don't have too much demand on your tank or don't have delicate corals, but I would still use an ATO, at least a gravity fed one. This simplifies your life, but it is not super critical.

Good points!

 

[Addiction]

You have two options:

1). Spend a lot of money on equipment. Sit back and likely get bored.
2). Do the daily work yourself, stay involved, and enjoy your work.

I find option two keeps me interested long term. I have a few freshwater tanks that simply receive daily feedings and weekly water changes. Those tanks are becoming more and more boring to me each day.