If You Knew What You Know Now, What Would You Have Done Differently?

[PeterC99]

Wondering what you would have done differently in your aquarium if you had known something sooner.

My list includes:
1) Run Calcium Reactor instead of dosing 2 part
2) Don't be afraid to move a coral if it doesn't look happy
3) Join R2R sooner

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Upgrade proof my tank by going 6" off the bat.

 

[Jekyl]

I'll never use dry rock again.

 

[PeterC99]

I'll never use dry rock again.

Why do you say that?

I used dry rock and live sand and had great results.

 

[Jekyl]

Why do you say that?

I used dry rock and live sand and had great results.

I'd rather have the biodiversity that comes with it. Also don't mind skipping the whole maturing process. I'd get a mix of KP and gulfliverock instead.

 

[CanuckReefer]

Saved money on equipment I didn't really need. In saying that, I really wouldn't have learned as much through the process. And likely would have purchased other stuff anyway ( a larger tank?!?) lol.

Your point #3, yup, that would be true here as well! It's a great place to learn, bounce ideas around, and share experiences.

 

[Quietman]

Stick with freshwater.... but now I'm hooked and I'm going to make this reef tank successful dang it all.

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

I would have seeded the tank with live rock and would have tested nitrate and phosphate regularly right from the beginning. "Everything looks fine" was just another step on the road to dinos. Dinos suck.

 

[WVNed]

1 Only got 1 large angel
2 Bought the Vortechs first
3 Made the screen tops when I set up the tank

 

[Biokabe]

1) Started with KP Aquatics live rock instead of dry rock.

2) Picked up MP40 powerheads instead of Neptune WAV.

3) Checked alkalinity more often.

4) Never purchased an aiptasia-eating filefish.

5) Purchased a golden dwarf moray when you actually could.

6) Invested heavy in torches when you could pick one up for $30/each.

7) Saved up for an Apex sooner.

8) Installed a manifold on my return line when setting up the tank.

 

[ZoWhat]

The day I walked into a LFS and asked,
"So how does this saltwater thing work?"

I wish the worker would have punched me in the face and said "GET OUT, RUN AWAY! There's a Gardening Shop across the street"

 

[encrustingacro]

I would have gotten a bigger tank, a better light, and used dry rock.

 

[dedragon]

The day I walked into a LFS and asked, "So how does this saltwater thing work?"

I wish the worker would have punched me in the face and said "GET OUT, RUN AWAY!"

Lol, you beat me to it. I would have a lot more money

 

[Calm Blue Ocean]

The day I walked into a LFS and asked, "So how does this saltwater thing work?"

I wish the worker would have punched me in the face and said "GET OUT, RUN AWAY!"

They told me it was no more difficult than freshwater (keeping in mind that my freshwater "tank" had been a bowl with a betta in it).

 

[schuby]

1. Used some LIve Rock instead of all dry rock
2. Started dosing iron before my large chaeto ball died and flooded tank with PO4 & NO3
3. Not starved my 6-month-old tank trying to eradicate "brown" algae that was actually diatoms fed by RO/DI water

 

[ZoWhat]

They told me it was no more difficult than freshwater (keeping in mind that my freshwater "tank" had been a bowl with a betta in it).

Soooooo true. My experience was the guy said, "Don't worry 'bout it.... it's easy"

I should have been tipped off by his glowing red eyes


.

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Buy bigger tank XD
When you begin dont build a list and plan on spending a certain amount of money, it never goes as you plan. (Meaning you're probably going to spend about $100 or more than planned)

Buy a UV sterilizer

 

[Quietman]

I also would've skipped dinos entirely.

Or...should've bought my UV on day 1.

 

[Quietman]

In all seriousness...

When I was planning and dreaming about having a reef tank....I wanted old school natural - DSB (plenum) and from the ocean live rock (and see what critters I get).

When I went to set up my tank up 2+ years ago, I played the odds instead and went with what alot of people found success with in a traditional setup - skimmer, GAC/GFO, dry rock (no pests) and live sand. So far success has be elusive for more than a few months at a time.

So my "what would I really do different?" I would go with the system I wanted at first. Yeah, I might still be chasing success and be in the same place wishing I'd gone traditional, but I'd have done it my way.

At least I still get to plan and dream about the system I want.

 

[Biglew11]

I would have started with real live rock. Mix of Kp and Tbs.

Measured phosphates from the start have no idea how long they were actually at 0.

I would have built my own stand and hood, for much better accessibility.