swapping knowledge on balanced reef

[cycler]

hi ya;would anyone running a balanced reef like to swap ideas and results?

[MiddletonMark]

What do you mean by `balanced reef'?
[I'd say all of mine are, but doubt that's what you mean]

Where would I find info on what the definition, ideas are regarding this?

Thanks

[marrowmuse]

Hey Mark, I think the definition is in cycler's sig. cycler, I'm running my reef like this, but I've never really researched it as a method. I guess after reading enough about people being able to run their tanks without skimmers, I decided to take mine offline. I replaced the old cramped wet/dry sump with a nice big open sump that is entirely a rock, sand and macroalgae fuge, with only the heater and auto topoff as intruding equipment.

So, I guess you would consider my system to be running "balanced"? I have had no filters or skimmers on the system since I did a complete overhaul on it 2 years ago. That's not to say that there is no "filtration". I have TONS of macro algae growing- some of which I throw away occasionally, and my not-so-deep sandbeds are filling up with gunk -especially in the sump where I've got some really black spots against the glass. Another thing to keep in mind is that I am not keeping very demanding SPS yet, but so far, everything I have is thriving!

The only tests I've done in the last 2 years were using a TDS meter on my RODI water (THE most important test IMHO), and checking the salinity with a swingarm.

Is this what you mean, cycler?

[cycler]

I'll answer mark first:My reefs housed in a 75 gal.tankRunning 13 yrs.Any tank run with little or no outside filtration is a balanced tank.My reefs filtration is taken care of by bactera,15 var. of macro algeas in the display tank,cleaner clams,scallops and mussels.How much and what kind of food do you add?What kind of addatives do you add?

[cycler]

marrowmuse: yours is defently a balanced system.I personally add only live food to my tank.There is a seperate 2 gallon tank in sunlight,i add powdered spirulia and chlorella-then hatch baby brines in it-the cynos to feed the brines.I/2 teas. of the babys per day.What do you use?Again any use of bi-valves?I use comi-san powder vitamine c,Powdered mixed amino acids and of late 1 teas. vodka per day.What do you add? thanks for the help!

[MiddletonMark]

I add Kalkwasser + Ca/Alk to my stony coral + clam tank to keep levels near NSW levels. My soft coral tank I add Kalkwasser slurry a couple times a week to once a week. Very different demands between the two tanks.

I add little food, actually ... some Cyclops-eeze, Squid to things that eat chunky food [anemone, open brain, caulastrea] ... very tiny amounts of golden pearls twice a week. Not that much more than the fish eat [and poop right out].

I do skim ... so I guess that's my only difference I guess [and I test the water, as I have some sensitive kinds of coral]. Given how cheap they are [compared to livestock] ... I feel that for me, to care for the animals I'm charged with ... I find it useful to know where basic key levels are [temp, SG, pH, Ca, Alk] as they are constantly changing and have severe impacts on health.

But that's my systems ... one of which houses a large # of Acropora, a clam, and some other IMO sensitive critters that seem to demand close to NSW to remain in health. Just my take, though

[cycler]

thanks for the info mark,there are no books on reaching a balanced reef thers no money in it.mostly those who say you must skim,use phosphare pads etc,make or distribute them.Why would any of these experts addvocate a balanced reef?

[MiddletonMark]

Personally, I doubt any would advocate not testing the water, or balancing Ca/Alk to NSW. That's my take.

And I find it interesting that you add Combi-san, Vitamin C, and aminos .... seems like more additives than I would have expected, I guess.

[cycler]

mark; hi again;I have an old reef,so i seleced corals gorgonians polps, anemones that are tough.So i don't want to be an elite-est and advocate anything.I want to learn,by experimentation or advice from hobbests,like yourself.But personnly-I havn,t conducted a water test in 12 yrs.That is not to say anyone else should follow me-Who am I?-your hard corals are more delicate then my macros and need more care.

[MiddletonMark]

Gotta smile ... different systems/methods for different livestock. Hard to make more sense than that!