Important Key to a Successful Reef

I was thinking about it today as I was doing tank maintenance. What is the most important key to a successful reef aquarium. I believe I have figured it out.

Spending time with your aquarium and its inhabitants. Not only is this key, it is important. As you spend time with your tank you will notice any subtle changes, and you can react accordingly. It also will give you a sense of pride when someone comes over and sees a pristine habitat for your aquarium pets.

 

I think what you're saying is true. But also experience helps a lot too. When i started I didn't know what was out of the ordinary.

Like you I treat my tank as a source of relaxation and pride. I love cleaning, maintaining, and building. Mostly I like staring at it and all the critters.

 

Spending time with your tank and experience go hand in hand. You get the experience after spending time with your tank...

 

consistency

 

Only do one intervention at a time and wait patiently for results before making further corrections.
Keep your hands out of the tank, do not obsess about placement of rocks and corals.
Do not change or add equipment prior to vacation or prior to any period you will be away from the tank.
Do not supplement when a water change will do the same. An sps tank should have supplementation because water changes alone will not keep up with utilization.
Know your parasites and disease processes.

 

You forgot.
Keep your powder and your pants DRY!!!!

 

STABILITY... I honestly think that is the biggest factor in tank health

 

Consistent, small maintenance routines. But, I agree with the OP. The amount of focus you put on the tank directly correlates to how pretty it is. I have a year old tank that could pass for a month old tank because I have put so little focus into it.