Research : System Approaches
Reef Encounters acknowledges that strategies and technology are constantly evolving and improving to benefit our hobby. Then again, you have to be careful. There is a tremendous amount of misinformation and conflicting information wildly banded around internet sites, magazines and even books that can leave the beginner reefer completely confused and, worse, armed to fail. We have in our trust the lives of unique animals. Our advice is to seek a seasoned reef-keeping mentor and follow their lead. We provide details here of what works for us. It is our intent that if you follow our advice and resist mixing and matching alternate approaches you can have a system just as successful as those you see here.
Reef Encounters wants to see improvements in our hobby and we are constantly testing out new ideas and developments. We only report what works for us after a critical appraisal of a new product or strategy. Be forewarned …. there are many out there looking to make money off you on their ‘next best-thing-since-sliced-bread' gizmo or concoction. There is nothing to stop an unscrupulous vendor selling you an expensive bottle of bleach on the basis that it will cure your hair algae problem. There is undoubtedly more money invested in the marketing of some new products than there is scientific testing. We believe scientific testing should include quantitative measurements with proof of results being reproducible. Look for this information before parting with your hard earned $'s but don't be fooled by those who attempt to blind you with unsubstantiated science … there's recent evidence of some vendors doing this.
That said, new product testing is complicated by the reality that many factors interact to culminate into a successful reef aquarium. There are many ongoing biological and chemical processes to take into account. This dynamic reality challenges our ability to quantify success definitively. We will inform you here of our practical testing of emerging approaches and what we learn. This testing will be based on a commitment to maintaining simplicity and we promise not to use the now infamous term “my tanks never looked better” in reporting our results.
System approaches that we are investigating include:
• Sand beds and the long-term success
• Stocking policies and specialized inhabitants
• Refugia and the life within
• Feeding cycles and associated automation
• Aquacultured and artificial live-rock
• Set-up and maintenance procedures and practices
Details of these and more will available soon.
|
