Mark Martin on the Big Three Salinity, pH and Temperature in the
Reef Aqaurium In a reef tank, the big three—salinity,
temperature and pH—are far more important than in a fish-only
system, but every aquarist should shoot for stability in these
three parameters. Every single tank crash in the history of
aquaria has been a direct or indirect result of a lack of
stability in one or all of the big three. It is funny when you
think about—there are just three parameters you really need to
watch, and yet so many people simply don’t. I mean, sure, it is
important to look at nitrates and calcium in a reef tank, but if
you ignore the big three long enough, it does not matter if you
have 500ppm calcium or 0ppm nitrates. The tank will eventually
crash. So what can you do today to get the big three taken care
of? Read on. Use a Chiller, Heater and Controller to Maintain
Temperature Stability in a Reef Tank Temperature stability is
essential to a reef tank. Fluctuations in temperature of only a
few degrees every 24 hours c