what other Keep It Simple reefers do we have?

[Sardaukar]

I understand now. Thanks for the clarification. And I re-read my response and it wasn't too cool. Sorry. You didn't criticize any aspect of HOW i maintain the tank, which is what I hear all the time and I snapped back. You just commented that it's good to know your parameters. That's solid advice.

And I'll clarify, too: whenever I make a change in the tank (adding/removing rock, stirring up sand bed, big (25-30% or more) water changes, cutting down 90% of my macroalgae lawn, doing some serious scraping/scrubbing to coralline in the display or the sump, etc., i WILL test for a couple of days in a row to make sure nothing has gone awry (sp? "a-rye"). I usually work on it for a night every month or two.

So I have no testing schedule, because i will periodically test when changes happen. Usually if alk is a little low or high at that time, I'll plan on a 25% (42 gallon) water change in the next couple of days to remedy parameters, if it's due, or add a little 2-part from BRS.

I've had about 10 specimens of SPS since July, and I look for polyp extension as the Canary in the Coal Mine for health of my tank. I enjoy looking at the tank every single night, so this is how I monitor the system.

thanks for your response and for staying cooler than I did.

Im confused - you brag about not testing and not using chemicals, but then admit that you do in fact test and do use supplements? So what you are saying is that you do test for regular parameters, but you have found that your reef tanks demands for Ca and Alk are low enough that regular testing is not needed? I think this is the situation that more than a few people find themselves in: You have a mixed reef without high Ca demands and a moderate stocking level which has allowed you to go with limited supplementation and no skimmer (for now).

While I agree with the idea of trying to eliminate potential problem equipment, I have to disagree that not testing for parameters and eliminating as much equipment as you can somehow makes a reef simple and in no way makes it more stable. It is possible to have a very safe reef from the point of view of catastrophic equipment failure prevention, while still utilizing the protein skimmers, Ca reactors and chillers that make the high flow, high light, jam packed with SPS tanks possible. Very few equipment components are capable of doing to your tank what the faulty CO2 reg did to that other persons tank and eliminating your skimmer because you have to clean the cup out once a week doesn't really seem a worthwhile benefit for the potential long term cost.

 

[goldmaniac]

Im confused - you brag about not testing and not using chemicals, but then admit that you do in fact test and do use supplements? So what you are saying is that you do test for regular parameters, but you have found that your reef tanks demands for Ca and Alk are low enough that regular testing is not needed? I think this is the situation that more than a few people find themselves in: You have a mixed reef without high Ca demands and a moderate stocking level which has allowed you to go with limited supplementation and no skimmer (for now).

While I agree with the idea of trying to eliminate potential problem equipment, I have to disagree that not testing for parameters and eliminating as much equipment as you can somehow makes a reef simple and in no way makes it more stable. It is possible to have a very safe reef from the point of view of catastrophic equipment failure prevention, while still utilizing the protein skimmers, Ca reactors and chillers that make the high flow, high light, jam packed with SPS tanks possible. Very few equipment components are capable of doing to your tank what the faulty CO2 reg did to that other persons tank and eliminating your skimmer because you have to clean the cup out once a week doesn't really seem a worthwhile benefit for the potential long term cost.

thanks for your post.

I first bought 2-part from BRS in March or April. I used it once when I bought it and mixed it, and i've used it once since then. In my opinion, that does not qualify as real supplementing, as I haven't dosed in at least 5 months. Basically I used 2-part to get levels up to par after years and years of no supplements at all, and i haven't used them since then.

I'm not trying to elminate "as much equipment as can" with some sort of goal in mind. I've just found, over years of observation, that my 100 micron socks, a decent fuge, decent flow, and very pourous self-made live rock keeps a nice balance in my tank. It started with turning off a lousy skimmer for a couple of months and then observing (and yes, i did test Nitrate after a couple of months). then turning it on for a couple of months, and testing again. No difference, really. I will admit that I have never bought any high end skimmer of $300-$400 or [much] more.

I'm not bragging about anything. I'm trying to share. Pro-equipment, pro-technology reefers might jump to that perception.

Yes, my load is medium. Yes, I know my limits so I don't buy mucho-expensive or highly delicate SPS frags (yet). I'm still learning and still researching. slow and steady, after all.

Yes, in the high-load SPS tanks with incredible flow and lighting, additional equipment like a chiller is necessary. This is not what I'm talking about, however. I'd even venture to say that those tanks are a category of their own, just like a Mixed reef is a different category than a Softie tank or a Polyp tank.

I disagree with you that other equipment can't cause as much damage as a stuck regulator on a calcium reactor, however.

auto-top offs or the solenoids for them fail more than rarely
chillers break and temps reach 90's

are two examples of other possible disasters. That's three more potential hobby-ending factors that I don't have.

Honestly, I didn't ask for criticizm from reefers who don't share this mentality, I was asking for others to report their success with the Keep It Simple philosophy. But your comments as a non-simplist (wow, I'm even inventing terms now, i'm full of myself) are always welcome, as I usually learn something from everyone here.

thanks again

 

[Metal7fold22]

i have a very simple set up with no problems....i have a hob prizm skimmer...a heater and t-5 lighting...my corals look amazing...no problems at all...i understand why people have all these different equipment needs but its just not for me...i like to keep it simple i guess...though if i had the money i would probably buy more equipment and stuff...lol..but for now..i dont need it so why buy somethin i dont need lol...