NEW to reefing, what was the BEST thing you learned quickly?

[OneMerissa]

Don't over react, take your TIME and read, learn and ASK!!!

 

[Frans1992]

I learned that alkalinity will drop to without corals. After my cycle it was pretty low like 5. With a few water changes I got it back at 8.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

Remove aiptasia and bubble algae asap!

 

[Moonraider]

This week will be a little different and maybe a little more fin (fun) as we discuss "when you're new to reefing" type topics! I remember when I was new and how reefing had opened up a whole new world to me. Along with that came so much I didn't know about and so much more opportunity to immerse myself into reef aquarium education. Today I would love to hear what the best thing you learned about while still new to the hobby! Let's GO!

When you were NEW to reefing, what was the BEST thing you learned quickly?

image via @sawyer010

This picture gave me a panic attack lol I think the most important lessons for me has been "stop looking for short cuts that replace water changes and the need to buy equipment".

 

[volt5015]

Coincidentally to your picture, that API tests are a disaster waiting to happen. Get a meaningful test kit.

What is the best kind of test kit?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

What is the best kind of test kit?

If you dont mind spending the money, I think Hanna eggs are pretty good. Easy to read. Simple to use. Phosphate, HR Nitrate and Alkalinity are probably the core ones you need. The ULR nitrate and phosphate are specialty eggs that you should just pass on. If you are not ready to dish out for the eggs...Salifert is a pretty solid choice.

 

[DirkCourage]

Don't trust anything they tell you at the LFS

Don't take forum advice from people without a build thread or a reputation

The LFS I went to for the first six months was one of those places that has been around for years and years. Finally figured out their water wasn’t DI’d, and their own water testing was insanely inaccurate. I heard them dispense so much bad advice based on completely inaccurate test results, it was horrifying.

 

[polyppal]

The LFS I went to for the first six months was one of those places that has been around for years and years. Finally figured out their water wasn’t DI’d, and their own water testing was insanely inaccurate. I heard them dispense so much bad advice based on completely inaccurate test results, it was horrifying.

Sadly id say LFS bad advice is prob more common than LFS good advice

 

[flyingscampi]

Sadly id say LFS bad advice is prob more common than LFS good advice

You won't go wrong if you understand that the staff are not encouraged to talk a customer out of a sale

 

[Mikuchar]

Keep it simple, know your tank you will know if it's happy or not. Don't chase numbers etc. If your tank is happy leave it alone. Stability is key not so much numbers. Patience Patience!

 

[Van Eternal]

Whenever you plan your new build, multiply your budget by atleast 2.5x

for myself - automation was a big game changer, having an alkalinity monitoring tool, dosers etc definetly helped me stabilise my tank

 

[amygetsalife]

My first big lesson was that no one ever mentions what corals look like after lights out! First night with our first few coral in the QT tank freaked me out. The sinularia closed up like a ball, clove polyps looked like they had dissolved. Not to mention how drab everything looks with the lights out and how much greener your rocks will look after lights out.

 

[stacksoner]

After you buy coral, see if you can get them to survive for 3 months before buying your next one. If you don't, you'll never learn anything about why they die and will forever been chasing a ghost