What is a "matured" reef tank?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I've done "instant reefs" before by simply moving live rock from one tank I'm tearing down into a new one I'm setting up. However, I usually have multiple tanks set up at any one time, so I have an "insurance" factor built-in in case something goes wrong, like a nutrient spike or bad algae bloom. So yes, using mature live rock from an existing system can cycle your tank, but there's always a small chance of die off (like sponges from being exposed to air during the transfer). I would NOT call any of these "instant" reefs mature right away.

A mature reef is one that is no longer in danger of going through the normal growing pains or has already experienced and gotten past issues like diatom or algae blooms that is quite common for newly set up reef tanks. Rather than applying the term "mature" to a specific time frame, to me it means the tank has already stabilized, corals are growing well, and there is a growing biodiversity as arthropods, copepods and/or live mysis are now breeding and multiplying in the rockwork and/or sump. And yes, how soon one reaches that stage of tank maturity has a lot to do with the reefer's experience, but it will still take time for everything to settle out and stabilize.

[gobytron]

Your tank is not mature until you've successfully fought off Aiptasia, Hair Algae and Cyano or Dinos'.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by gobytron

Your tank is not mature until you've successfully fought off Aiptasia, Hair Algae and Cyano or Dinos'.

And heater issues apparently

Originally Posted by whatcaneyedo

... Algae, bacteria, microfauna etc go through cycles and take time to build up and stabilize to match the bioload of the tank which continues to increase as the live rock cycles followed by the addition of fish and inverts ...

Although everyone has stated very good info on why, and I agree with all they've written, I think Russell hit it on the head first.

Raied I don't think you fall into the 'newbie' category by any means Bud.
Mature, in this case, applies to your tank, not your knowledge/skills.

[gobytron]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

And heater issues apparently


Although everyone has stated very good info on why, and I agree with all they've written, I think Russell hit it on the head first.

Raied I don't think you fall into the 'newbie' category by any means Bud.
Mature, in this case, applies to your tank, not your knowledge/skills.

I'd agree.

You're just not a seasoned reefer until a piece of equipment has failed and caused a significant issue.

Might even go so far as to say you're not a seasoned reefer until something beyond your control has decimated your tank and forced you to start from scratch.

If you pick yourself up, dust your equipment off and keep going, you're in the club.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

And heater issues apparently

Although everyone has stated very good info on why, and I agree with all they've written, I think Russell hit it on the head first.

Raied I don't think you fall into the 'newbie' category by any means Bud.
Mature, in this case, applies to your tank, not your knowledge/skills.

+1. Some great info have been discussed in this thread compared to a similar thread in another forum which made me start this one

Thanks Greg, that means a lot

I think maturity, to some extend, is related to the reefer himself/herself too. Along with the tank growth, the reefer will also have to adjust and gain knowledge to support the tank and I think that involves certain degree of reefurity (reefing maturity)

[kien]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

I think maturity, to some extend, is related to the reefer himself/herself too. Along with the tank growth, the reefer will also have to adjust and gain knowledge to support the tank and I think that involves certain degree of reefurity (reefing maturity)

I think this statement plays a big role in this "maturity" discussion too. A reef tank is nothing without its keeper. They go hand in hand. Not only does the tank mature but so does the reefer as you said. Maturing as a reefer as already implied in this thread means going through all the trials and tribulations that come with the hobby. Theoretically, a "mature" reefer could easily set up an immature tank and still be successful. Conversely, an immature reefer can inherit a very mature tank and still fail miserably.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by kien

I think this statement plays a big role in this "maturity" discussion too. A reef tank is nothing without its keeper. They go hand in hand. Not only does the tank mature but so does the reefer as you said. Maturing as a reefer as already implied in this thread means going through all the trials and tribulations that come with the hobby. Theoretically, a "mature" reefer could easily set up an immature tank and still be successful. Conversely, an immature reefer can inherit a very mature tank and still fail miserably.