Less is More

I have decided based on my readings in this forum and my personal experience that testing water parameters can actually cause more harm than good for the beginning aquarist.

More often than not it seems a water test shows some parameter out of whack which leads the beginning hobbyist to take a reactive course such as a large water change, tinkering with equipment, or worse of all dosing some chemical concoction. This causes more harm than would have just leaving things alone to begin with.

I believe that the only two measurements an unseasoned reefer need undertake are specific gravity for water changes and temperature to make sure the heater has not malfunctioned. Following appropriate intervals (several weeks) and being patient will allow "the cycle" to commence without the need for the added expense, time, and possible heartache of additional testing.

And of course consistent appropriately proportioned water changes are key...

 

I agree, big time.

 

Doesn't hurt to know the results, you just have to curb your urge to do something drastic about stuff LOL.

 

I see too many new hobbyist and new tanks want to jump right into dosing.

For some reason people think that if they want to keep stony corals they absolutely need to dose right of the get go.

Maybe I feel this way because at one time, decades ago you did not see this big push to dose all systems for all coral types. Heck most products were not even available, you relied on kalk.

In established tanks with clams, larger stony corals populations, a lot of coralline growth than it is most certainly a must. In new tanks with small frags I think you should test but rely on water changes with a quality salt before jumping into chasing the numbers.

JM2C.

 

I started that way. For me it became a turnoff, a "boy this is a lot of work" type of deal. My current tank I do nothing but change water once a week, no skimmer, no carbon, no GFO, etc. I am having the most fun with this tank because I have that much more time to enjoy it and am having success.

I must add that I feel it is also very important to invest in a high quality RODI system to avoid most water quality pitfalls.

 

The one piece of advice I always hear myself repeating is "just wait". So yeah.. I agree, mostly.

 

It all comes down to "a little knowledge can be dangerous" so can advise. I have seen LFS & other so called experts be the primary reason of a tank's failure. Here's what happens more than what people think, "Look Joey works the register, but Tom the aquarium expert is out for the day. So the bright manager tells Joey to work in the fish room. Now Joey thinks he's an expert now. Even though he had no idea what he is doing". Because of the all mighty dollar & a store being short staffed..

Because of the all mighty dollar & a store being short staffed.. People for the most part are suggested what to do & react to that. Of course patience is one think that is needed in this hobby..

 

I would have to say yes and no.
You should be testing on a regular basis to establish trends and a baseline, you need to know what your demands are and where your system is.

In the beginning this should be for informational purposes and should be written down in a notebook or log book. Dosing is crazy when you are new and you can really get carried away, look at how many newbies try to chase pH.

Once you have an idea how your salt mix is doing, what water changes do for you and what your actual demands for calcium, alkalinity and magnesium are, only then you can start on a dosing regimen or like I did get a calcium reactor and forget about dosing for 9 months at a time.

 

Enough said. You hit that one on the head.

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+2

Exactly, although I have seen newbies that were so confused about dosing that they thought it was a necessity for all SW tanks, including FO. IMO, that's partly because there is a lot of emphasis on dosing without proper clarification.