Are coral reefs really stabile?

[grouper therapy]

I will say Seth that I have had no major issues when my tank temp would swing 5-6 degrees in a 24 hour period . I did take measure to prevent it due to what the monkey was told but in retrospect I think it was unnecessary. I have had small salinity swings in my system as well without ill effects . I think we can take what we will from the article but the data he provided would appear to be from a respectable source and I find totally relevant to the care of our systems. Saying otherwise would be the same as saying that the data compiled about the content of natural seawater is irrelevant to our systems. Any info or data we can obtain from actual reefs would be beneficial to the advancement of the hobby.

 

[peachyreef]

I will give it one more go...lol

Let me just say this I'm not saying that the ocean is never changing... and I didnt say the facts were from a irreputable source. I'm also not saying this guy is wrong, he just did not conclusively prove it to me.

This is what the author said

Needless to say, the variability of lagoonal salinities is a major determining factor in the flora and fauna found in them. <u>Those animals, algae, and plants that can&#8217;t tolerate the changes in the salinity will not be found in the lagoons. </u> The flipside of this, though, for aquarists, means that any lagoonal animals in their tanks are likely to be quite tolerant of salinity variations.

He didnt say all animals will be tolerant, in fact he said the opposite some specialized lagoon species will be tolerant. Since most aquarist do not have biotype tanks and many animals cannot handle the same extremes of others, that is why the "norms" in the hobby are stressed.

He also said this a lot but never gave proof.

<u>Scientists now know that not only do corals and coral reef organisms tolerate changing conditions, they may REQUIRE changing conditions for good health.</u>

I know this is true for many plants. I just cant think of any specific coral species

They would find there is no reason in the world to keep temperature and salinity in a reef tank stable. In nature, temperature fluctuations of several degrees (Celsius or Fahrenheit) on either side of the average reef temperature of 82º F are normal and of no consequence. They are of no consequence in aquaria as well. <span style="color: Red">no proof presented, so we must just trust him? I have seen what happens when a chiller goes out in a big system, it happened at Star Aquatics and everything toasted... </span> The corals &#8220;know&#8221; this; it is evolutionarily encoded in their genes. Hitherto, most reef aquarists have not been as knowledgeable. <u>Obviously, expensive controllers and chillers are by and large unnecessary, advertising hype to the contrary.</u> <span style="color: Red">What else could that mean lol?</span> <u>Likewise, salinity can vary a bit. Keeping it in the range of 36 to 37 psu is prudent and minimizes the stress on the animals, but some slight variations outside this range are inconsequential.
</u> <span style="color: Red">Here he even reinforces the norms with slight variation</span>

Personally ocean acidification is a highly interesting concept that I hope to work on personally.

That's all and I'm done.

 

[grouper therapy]

peachyreef;713862 wrote: I will give it one more go...lol

Let me just say this I'm not saying that the ocean is never changing... and I didnt say the facts were from a irreputable source. I'm also not saying this guy is wrong, he just did not conclusively prove it to me.

This is what the author said
He didnt say all animals will be tolerant, in fact he said the opposite some specialized lagoon species will be tolerant. Since most aquarist do not have biotype tanks and many animals cannot handle the same extremes of others, that is why the "norms" in the hobby are stressed.

He also said this a lot but never gave proof. I know this is true for many plants. I just cant think of any specific coral species



Personally ocean acidification is a highly interesting concept that I hope to work on personally.

That's all and I'm done.

OK I'm not sure what you answered but your done so it doesn't matter

 

[Jaycen B.]

I had the the opportunity to live in Australia for a year, two weeks (not long enough) of that year was spent in Cairns. We took a dive boat out on the great barrier reef, it was a five day trip. While on that trip there were times that I wish I did not have my wetsuit on and times I was glad I did. We also did several day trips while in Australia to different islands aroun Cairns, kind of strange to see live acros baking in the sun at low tide.

It relly was amazing the differences in the temperature at times. Currents, upwelling, and tides made the temperature change quit often.

Same goes for Fiji now that was SICK, no need for a wetsuit there.

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 13px"> </span></span>

 

[grouper therapy]

Jaycen B.;713982 wrote: I had the the opportunity to live in Australia for a year, two weeks (not long enough) of that year was spent in Cairns. We took a dive boat out on the great barrier reef, it was a five day trip. While on that trip there were times that I wish I did not have my wetsuit on and times I was glad I did. We also did several day trips while in Australia to different islands aroun Cairns, kind of strange to see live acros baking in the sun at low tide.

It relly was amazing the differences in the temperature at times. Currents, upwelling, and tides made the temperature change quit often.

Same goes for Fiji now that was SICK, no need for a wetsuit there.

Are you sure you were on a reef?:yes:

 

[Jaycen B.]

Reefer lol.

 

[izoid]

I read this article many years ago when I first got into reefing. As a result I have never been as concerned about temp and salinity swings as most people would be.

While it is true that these variables are just that, variable, I do feel that species will be better suited to certain conditions. They may adapt to differing temps and salinity but they certainly do thrive in certain environments compared to surviving in less than desirable environments.

I appreciate Dr. Shimek as he tends to challenge us to look at our reefs in a different and sometimes controversial manner. Challenging conventional wisdom based upon scientific evidence is a good thing in my mind.

 

[grouper therapy]

izoid;714000 wrote: I read this article many years ago when I first got into reefing. As a result I have never been as concerned about temp and salinity swings as most people would be.

While it is true that these variables are just that, variable, I do feel that species will be better suited to certain conditions. They may adapt to differing temps and salinity but they certainly do thrive in certain environments compared to surviving in less than desirable environments.

I appreciate Dr. Shimek as he tends to challenge us to look at our reefs in a different and sometimes controversial manner. Challenging conventional wisdom based upon scientific evidence is a good thing in my mind.

Well said

 

[Jaycen B.]

+1

 

[grouper therapy]

I don't think that based on this article everyone should throw their heaters,chillers,and hydrometers /refracs out the door. I do believe that too much emphasis has been placed on the degree of stability (temp/salinity) needed in our systems. I think that developed over the course of time due to misdiagnoses of problems that some of us had and the limited data available to those we turned to for the diagnosis.. The variance in those parameters were easily detected and thereby were prematurely rendered the cause.

 

[rdnelson]

I don't have years and years of experience in reefing but I do have too many years of experience in life. One thing I have learned in life is that nothing is or will remain perfect. Yes, shooting for the best may prevent you from hitting the worst but momma nature understands that it is an imperfect world.

I do very little to my tank. So far I don't see a need to do much more than that. Reading hundreds of posts on this site and other sites, I have watched many reach for the chemicals when nothing is really wrong. I think most people cause the problems by over reacting to a precived problem when all that was really needed was a bit of time.

Yes, it is a gentle ballance but, if these creatures can't handle a little swing in our tanks, they would have died off years ago in nature.