Ever ask yourself "Why didn't I do that to start with"?

[Tab28]

As time goes on there are a few things I would do differently with my setup. One is install a intake bypass in my sump area. This weekend I did a water change and after I was done I plugged the main pump in and it would not start AGAIN. This happens every once in awhile I is generally because some gunk need sto be removed. So I installed a bypass so no I never have to unplug the main pump. That would have been a much easier job in the beginning. Aonther is install single end MH instead of the DE. I do not know if there is a difference in outout. But I have 250 DE and replacing the bulbs involves 2 people to lift the heavy canopy off the tank. Making sure all the wires come with it, big pain. The old fashion screw in bulbs would be so much easier, and I can get Radiums, I think they only come in SE at 250.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

My list could go on for quite a bit...my 29g biocube was my first tank and there was a lot of learning. Biggest thing was a sump and not realizing how great it is to have one!

 

[Akwarius]

My "duh" moment was putting my dosing line higher than the two part so that it didnt create a siphon. Murphys law hit me hard on that mistake.

 

[xmetalfan99]

I think "why didn't I do that to start with" all the time when I look at my sump. I want to install another 't' to my return pump so I can easity and quickly pump was out of my sump when I do waterchanges. Another is the way I idiotically "organized" the cables in my stand. Every week I think of something else and I slap my palm to my forehead.

 

[Z-man]

Having a union valve on every line coming out of the refugium. It would make cleaning the protein skimmer oh so much easier.

 

[Akwarius]

I think "why didn't I do that to start with" all the time when I look at my sump. I want to install another 't' to my return pump so I can easity and quickly pump was out of my sump when I do waterchanges. Another is the way I idiotically "organized" the cables in my stand. Every week I think of something else and I slap my palm to my forehead.

lol. my sump is an ongoing "why didnt I do that to start with". Truth is when I set up this tank I was in a big hurry because we were moving into this new house.

 

[beaslbob]

one of my "why didn't I di that earlier" was after I installed an in tank refugium. Cost $20 and nitrates became unmeasureable in 3 weeks.

my .02

 

[Akwarius]

Another one for me was getting an auto top off. Invaluable when you have a smaller aquarium.

 

[xmetalfan99]

Buying a quality light fixture and protien skimmer. I tried to do things cheaply, and it wound up costing me more in the long run. Another is setting up a frag tank to have backups of my corals in case my tank was to crash.

 

[Akwarius]

Buying a quality light fixture and protien skimmer. I tried to do things cheaply, and it wound up costing me more in the long run. Another is setting up a frag tank to have backups of my corals in case my tank was to crash.

Banking corals with other local reefers isnt a bad idea either. I lost a very rare coral just a few days before I was supposed to take a frag of it over to a buddies house- doh!

 

[xmetalfan99]

Banking corals with other local reefers isnt a bad idea either. I lost a very rare coral just a few days before I was supposed to take a frag of it over to a buddies house- doh!

I do that as well. The more people that I know who have the coral the happier and safer I feel.

 

[Akwarius]

I do that as well. The more people that I know who have the coral the happier and safer I feel.

It has bailed me out of a few losses, that's for sure. I just cant seem to get anyone willing to bank my gsp. :)

 

[xmetalfan99]

Not having a GFCI hooked to my heater and powerheads. I regretted that one on Saturday night when I turned in to a light bulb due to a faulty heater.

 

[Akwarius]

I regretted not getting a vortech sooner. No amount of koralias on wavemaker timers can make up for one of those.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I regretted not getting a vortech sooner. No amount of koralias on wavemaker timers can make up for one of those.

Definite ditto - The second i put one in my tank my sps started to color up more...the cost is a tough issue to swallow though.

 

[Paul_N]

The first thing that comes to mind for me when I think of,"Why didn't I do that to start with"? is ......
Why didn't I just say NO! It was so much simpler when just I read and golfed. :snicker:

 

[Akwarius]

^ LOL! There are two times in my life. The time before I had a reef tank when my head was clear, and the time after when I was always just a little bit worried about my reef.

 

[fsu1dolfan]

As much as we joke about how we should have never got started - I dont think i would trade it...i think its a cooler more rewarding hobby than most...hence the high cost of it :wink:

 

[Akwarius]

As much as we joke about how we should have never got started - I dont think i would trade it...i think its a cooler more rewarding hobby than most...hence the high cost of it :wink:

Agreed. Also probably one of the most challenging hobbies out there. Always something new to learn.

 

[cdness]

Where to begin...

Why didn't I get a quality light fixture from the start

Why didn't I buy a larger skimmer from the start

Why didn't I give away frags of my Scripps Rose Mille at some point so I could have gotten a frag back of it instead of being gone forever :(

As water drips to the floor... Why didn't I drill a safety drain

The list goes on and on and on... And for some reason I don't think it will ever end. Still wouldn't give it up though.