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Anyone have an idea on about how long it takes for a new tank to maintain constant test results? Does a new tank go through fluctuations (other than Amm, nitrite, nitrate), or are the other parameters stable based on salt mix? Basically, do things stabilize as the tank matures?
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IME, this is really difficult to answer. Our current tank was stable in < 6 mos - but I think this had to do with a few things ....
- A lot of the LR was fully cured and imported from an established tank.
- We use a LOT of LR
- Very low bioload.
On an average, if you're starting "new" (from the beginning of a full cycle), and have an "average" bioload, I'd say about a year. This is truly dependent on other things though --
- Tank size
- Bioload
- Ability to maintain constant temp/salinity
- How & what you dose (example - dripping kalk will lend far more stability than dosing Turbo Calcium & an alk buffer weekly).
Also - a few other things - feeding regimen, how well you export nutrients (skimmer, 'fuge, etc.), and probably other factors as well.
I think I'm also more open to a wider range of parameters than are some reefers. I really tend to ignore the numbers for the most part, and look to my tank inhabitants to tell me how things are doing. This really does come with experience though. The only numbers I truly concern myself with are temp, salinity, & pH.
My calcium has dipped to 360, and nothing is bothered. I'm lucky if I test for Strontium & Iodine once a year - the tests are (IMO) pretty useless, and I truly believe that we don't need to dose for these elements.
But - this is just my tank, and my experience (and my opinion!) - all of which are very different from what someone else might prefer to do.