Hi Loserami. I didn't mean to offend you, but the thought of not doing weekly, or at minimum bi-weekly water changes made my skin crawl. My fish tanks are cleaner than my own house. The difference is if humans are dirty or are in a dirty environment, we can leave to go to a clean place, clean the place or clean ourselves. Our captive animals in our fish tanks are totally dependant on us...and can't leave, and can't clean themselves. It is the most basic thing you can do.
Sometimes I have been known to do a water change even if they aren't due because the fish enjoy it and it can give them a mental lift. It's a pick me up. It's kind of like the refreshing cup of steam hot brewed coffee in the morning. or how good you feel after a shower. It makes you say, ahhh yes. Thats it.
My fish litteraly take showers when I am on the refill into the tank. I hold the python tube over their tank vertically, holding it still. It causes a splash of bubble coming in to the tank. And if the have the temp set just right, our Oscars literally dance under the bubbles. They love their water changes.
Corals - I am faaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrr from being an expert. I am new to all the saltwater stuff. My best advice to you is to spend lots of time on this forum, there is a ton of knowledge out here. People are great.
I have heard that the polyps and mushroom families seem to be the hardiest. I didn't have interest at first in doing a reef tank, until the live figi rock I bought to cycle my new saltwater tank with starting growing things. I got lucky to purchase live rock that has grown anthelia in it. And it's spreading. Totally awesome. I have since purchased a small rock with green carpet mushroom on it and that seems to be doing well now. And a small peice of pipe organ coral.
We just invested in a Coral life Lunar light. A $250 package (price varies). And that looks awesome. Haven't hooked it up yet.
I don't think that anyone is ever done learning. It puts me in total awe when I see something new growing in my tank. The hardest part for me is to know where and how to learn what it is.
Loseriam - have you checked your amonia and nitrate levels? How about calcium. The calcium is important to the corals and do you carefully match the water you replace each time as far as temp and SG? If you are adding water to replace, how are you loosing the water. Is it only through evaporation, or are you removing any water?
