am i due for a crash?

[bboyin4lyf]

i run 2 * 175 mh lights, i keep a variety of softies, lps and mushrooms. i dont add any suplements. i do 60 l natural sea water change a week on my 67 g. i dont add kalk or buffer calicum. my top off water is ro. my salintiy stays at 1.023 and temp at 26 c . the tank is 8 months old and i have a one inch sand bed. my question is because im not activly maintaining my ph via buffering etc am i due for a tank ph crash? at the momment everything is perfect. my maintanence is basic- top off water change water and feed + occasional testings. is there something im missing or is this all ok?

feeling really anxious at the momment

 

[Oceans Ferevh]

I don't think that your in for a crash. You're not adding any suppliments but you do not have any SPS corals and mostly softies which do not require much calcium. The water changes should supply the minerals you need. As long as you do your water changes regularly you should do fine Just make sure you get your water from an unpolluted area :wink:

 

[bboyin4lyf]

one thought though. the top off water might have a lower ph then the sea water. over time this would lower my ph right ?

 

[danmhippo]

Not only top off water might affect pH, but also biological activities in your tank play roles in affecting the tank pH.

I too do not think your tank is doomed for crash. You can still start to do maintenances by regularly do your alk and pH testing, along with Ca and other stuff. pH is really not that hard to maintain. and regular water change often is the only thing required to bring back the balance.

 

[liquid]

I think you're fine. One way to verify this would be to pick up a calcium test kit and an alkalinity test kit and monitor your tank periodically. If things drop, increase the volume of water that you're changing or start adding some sort of two part calcium/alk additive.

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

What Shane said.

 

[Anonymous]

As long as you have thriving plant life you should have no problems. I would not add anything without first measureing.

Sounds to me like you system has simply settled down and balanced out for the long haul. If it's not broke don't fix it.

 

[Joew]

BEASLBOB....STFU ABOUT PLANTS!!!!!! THEY DON'T SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS IN A REEF TANK!!! STOP IT ALREADY!!!!!
_________________
Nail Problems Forum

 

[Joew]

BEASLBOB....STFU ABOUT PLANTS!!!!!! THEY DON'T SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS IN A REEF TANK!!! STOP IT ALREADY!!!!!
_________________
Honda S2000

 

[liquid]

The relevant question is about calcium and alkalinity. Doubt plants will do much for that.

Shane

 

[bboyin4lyf]

wow thats a wieght of my chest. ill pick up a calc and alk test kit 2 morrow. test once every 2 weeks? or sooner? it just seems that my tank is so simple compared to the others ive been reading about.
thanks

 

[danmhippo]

Test as often as you like. But would suggest you start with once daily.

 

[Anonymous]

wow thats a wieght of my chest. ill pick up a calc and alk test kit 2 morrow. test once every 2 weeks? or sooner? it just seems that my tank is so simple compared to the others ive been reading about.
thanks

My parameters are stable enough now I am considering once a month. Am already down to every two weeks. It is a waste of time when parameters have all been the same value for the last 6 months.

As you have found out, reef tanks can be extremly simple compared to the advice one gets on these boards, at aquarium shops, or from the industry or hobbiests. There are reports and I now firmly believe that reef tanks can be setup maintained and thriving with no testing at all. Just like every other type of aquarium.

I also believe that about 80% of the advice is because people just feel better doing something. When what is needed is to stop our interference and let that tank establish itself.

But then that is just my experience.

I am glad you have a thriving system. And I hope you have continued success.

 

[SnowManSnow]

As a general rule of thumb if it is working... keep doing whatever it is you're doing. Just monitor your PH. I don't think you'll experiance a sudden crash with a tank that size.

Good luck!

B.

 

[liquid]

test once every 2 weeks? or sooner?

I'd start out testing every couple of days if you don't have too high of a calcium demand. Once you get a feel for how your system is behaving you can change your testing routine. You may find that your calcium and alk don't drop much at all and that testing only every 2-3 weeks is necessary to make sure something isn't out of whack.

Shane

 

[saltykirk1]

Like these guys say, u can't know what is what w/o testing. When u do this long enough you will be able to test less by judging the appearance of the tank. If calcium & Alk are where they need to be, you should have coralline algae starting to grow. Have fun. I like 2 parts & limewater drips for tanks upto 75 gallons. They should work for you two, if you need extra buffering & calcium

 

[liquid]

saltykirk1:

:welcome:



Shane