Good info for Reef Keepers

[techreef]

Reef Keeping Myths and other information.
I particularly like the part on LIVE sand, and Hermit Crabs.

www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2009-04/newbie/index.php

[Carl]

Interesting article.

I especially agree with the part water changes and the removal of vitrifying bacteria, I point this out in my Nitrogen Cycle article that these bacteria form a "glue like" bond and simple cleanings remove little of them. As well, in a healthy or even cycling tank few of these bacteria are in the water column.

I also have been recommending against pre-bagged so-called live sand for years now, it is a waste of money. Just buy regular oolite.

I do have to mildly disagree with the lower salinity for lower incidence of Oodinium (in fish ONLY tanks, not Reef), although I have done no controlled tests, to prove this (so this is an anecdotal opinion & I certainly stand to be corrected here), I have observed lower incidence of Oodinium in tanks with a SG of 1.019-1.021 as compared to 1.025. I definitely recommend much lower for hyposalinity treatment (which needs to be lowered and raised with caution, including making sure the pH does not drop rapidly as I have had clients also drop pH as well).

I also agree with the sections about supplements and moonlights (a Fad IMO). I address this in my lighting article:
Aquarium Lighting

I also suggest the use of Aquarium RO Systems for "Topping off" for evaporation and mixing salt

However I do disagree with the UV Sterilizer section, as although the author started by stating they are not a myth, he shot himself in the foot as so many do in following the same anecdotal myths about these devices that have been perpetuated in this often anecdotal hobby/industry. He totally ignored its relation to Redox Balance and fish immunity.
Sadly this is a reason the Aquarium Industry is often 10 years behind the curve in research and development as compared to other industries, such as in lighting, chemistry, disease treatment, etc.
UV Sterilization
UV Sterilizer Articles
Fish as Pets, UV Sterilizers

Carl

[techreef]

UV never held much weight with me on a reef tank. I never thought about it having an impact on redox though. Good point. Thanks

[Carl]

Your welcome

I might add as to slightly lower salinity this quote from the University of Hawaii, although this is still not proof, rather theory based on known osmoregulation in marine teleost/teleostei fish:

"Since marine fish must constantly expel various solutes,
such as sodium and chloride ions, against an osmotic gradient, a
great deal of energy is required. Therefore, anything that you can do
to lower the osmotic gradient will benefit the fish in terms of
energy expenditure. The simplest way of doing this is to lower the
salinity of the water as much as possible, particularly for a fish in
distress "

I link to this from this article:
Aquarium Answers; How Fish Drink, osmoregulation

Carl