Analysis Paralysis: What To Do About It?

[Reefer Matt]

I see beginner Reefers struggle with making decisions on setups, selection, and husbandry of new tanks. With an explosion of info out there, how can we help them make a decision and see it through? Who should they listen to, and what advice can you give about this?

 

[Fish Fan]

Example beginner tank build

 

[JTP424]

Example beginner tank build

Ooo yes!!!
Do like a budget... 40 gallon breeder. Minimum needs and good upgrades.
I followed LiveAquarias "how to guide" when I first started and it helped alot.

 

[BryanM]

I see beginner Reefers struggle with making decisions on setups, selection, and husbandry of new tanks. With an explosion of info out there, how can we help them make a decision and see it through? Who should they listen to, and what advice can you give about this?

Trying to convince patience is key is one thing. No knee jerk reactions to problems.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Example beginner tank build

I happen to have a 20 gallon I am going to do this on. I have most of the equipment and livestock lying around.

 

[exnisstech]

40g breeder with hob, ATO, heat and light. There's a floating ATS but only because I had it laying here. There are quite a few people here running very basic systems but they don't seem to get much attention because there's nothing cool or exciting about watching a tank run with no tech and very few problems. Its just boring.

EDIT: AIO with heater, return pump, power heads and light. No mechanical filtration and dosing is done by hand. Again boring.

 

[JTP424]

40g breeder with hob, ATO, heat and light. There's a floating ATS but only because I had it laying here. There are quite a few people here running very basic systems but they don't seem to get much attention because there's nothing cool or exciting about watching a tank run with no tech and very few problems. Its just boring.

EDIT: AIO with heater, return pump, power heads and light. No mechanical filtration and dosing is done by hand. Again boring.

Yasss this would have been SUPER helpful when I was starting my frag tank. I got into the hobby with AIOs, so HOBs and Sump ran tanks scared me!

 

[exnisstech]

Yasss this would have been SUPER helpful when I was starting my frag tank. I got into the hobby with AIOs, so HOBs and Sump ran tanks scared me!

Its my first AIO after having several sump tanks which I still have. I don't know how it could get any easier than an AIO with no extras. I like big fish so I wouldn't want a smaller AIO as my only tank but for a beginner they're perfect and pretty cost effective as well. I have more invested in the light than the rest of the tank combined.

 

[dutch27]

I see beginner Reefers struggle with making decisions on setups, selection, and husbandry of new tanks. With an explosion of info out there, how can we help them make a decision and see it through? Who should they listen to, and what advice can you give about this?

They should jump right in using the KISS method. Keep it simple stupid, for those who don't know. Get an RODI setup, fill the glass box with salt water, set up an auto top-off, put a bunch of live rock in it, let it cycle, slowly add fish/coral, then build out the system as your needs demand. Ignore all the noise about high/low nutrient systems, dosing macro and trace elements, etc.

My best tanks were the ones with less tech.

 

[vlangel]

40g breeder with hob, ATO, heat and light. There's a floating ATS but only because I had it laying here. There are quite a few people here running very basic systems but they don't seem to get much attention because there's nothing cool or exciting about watching a tank run with no tech and very few problems. Its just boring.

EDIT: AIO with heater, return pump, power heads and light. No mechanical filtration and dosing is done by hand. Again boring.

I agree with you exnisstech, low tech, no problems gets boring to a lot of folks. My tank has only a light, a canister filter with integrated heater and powerheads. Its simple but successful so far.
*If you travel you may want to consider an ATO to replace evaporated water or use Glass tops (what I do) which can also drastically cut down on evaporation.

 

[vlangel]

Could a thread be started " Calling new reef keepers" that has pics and a one or two line description of KISS tanks? I would be happy to provide pics as I am sure that other KISS reef keepers would.

 

[exnisstech]

Could a thread be started " Calling new reef keepers" that has pics and a one or two line description of KISS tanks? I would be happy to provide pics as I am sure that other KISS reef keepers would.

Maybe a foot note stating if you are required to travel this may not work for you. Some folks need some of the tech if they have to travel. i consider an ATO a requirement but I really could get by without because I'm never away from home more than a few hours at a time.
Just thinking out loud.