As another year comes to an end, What is the One thing you wish you had done differently with your system ?

vetteguy53081

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As we go through another year of reefkeeping, making upgrades, adding livestock, it is often overlooked until we realize:

WHAT IS THE ONE THING I WISH I HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY ??

For me, was changing my plumbing configuration on a certain tank and it is somewhat noisy now and adding an ATO to the sump that always fills 3-4" above the optic lens and lowers salinity from 35ppt to 34.3 ppt on average

WHAT IS YOURS ?
 
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vetteguy53081

vetteguy53081

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Wish I had planned for more space with my Red Sea S-1000. Awesome tank, but having trouble fitting in a calcium reactor since not much cabinet space.
This and location is the one thing that has haunted aquarists for years
 
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vetteguy53081

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Plumbing... should have done my 6ft tank different...
Problem with plumbing is that once we glue parts together, any changes are to late unless you get the saw out lol
 
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vetteguy53081

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vetteguy53081

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vetteguy53081

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Not tried to prove that I knew better than the years of experience on this forum. I rushed my tank(s) and wasted a lot of money on Corals that I was not ready for.
That happens to many of us- I admit, at one point that was me
 

PeterC99

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Thought I was being smart moving & plumbing my calcium reactor from next to my aquarium in the living room to the one floor below in the basement. Made wife very happy.

No I totally regret not also moving my sump as well! Many R2Rer’s recommended this and I should have listened!!!
 

Oregon Grown Reef

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2 things would have changed the hobby for me this year.

1) Do consistent water changes. I waited 3 months before doing a water change because the nutrient levels were good. I'll never do that again as there was a heavy metal buildup and all of my acros died. All...of...them.....

2) Bought a new tank without having the funds to purchase all of the equipment/stand. My wife hasn't been teaching as much since enrollment is down, so I have this beautiful 150 gallon custom tank sitting on the floor while we take care of other financial obligations... We live and learn (sometimes only live).
 
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vetteguy53081

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Gone back to halides sooner and started Reef Moonshiners sooner. Would have also been nice to get my 250 peninsula setup and running in 2021 but home renovation and work had other plans.
Setting up 250 can be a goal for 2022.
Sometimes we have to call in sick :D
 
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vetteguy53081

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2 things would have changed the hobby for me this year.

1) Do consistent water changes. I waited 3 months before doing a water change because the nutrient levels were good. I'll never do that again as there was a heavy metal buildup and all of my acros died. All...of...them.....

2) Bought a new tank without having the funds to purchase all of the equipment/stand. Turns out
This hobby revolves heavily around impulse. It gets the best of us.
 
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vetteguy53081

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I wish I hadn’t been too scared to try more (harder) corals. I’m frugal and overly cautious - but I want to take more risks in 2022!
How long did it take many of us to try saltwater. Always a caution in this hobby
 

muzikalmatt

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It seems so simple, but I wish I had kept up with routine maintenance. I slacked off quite a bit over the summer, the tank's water conditions suffered and as a result I lost several prized corals. Totally my fault, but luckily I've gotten back into my routine and the tank is doing better than ever.
 

A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 68 37.6%
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  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

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