What's Your Best Advice for Beginners?

[Reefer Matt]

Thought I'd start a thread for your best advice for those getting started or thinking about a reef tank. My advice is patience. Reefing is a marathon, not a sprint. Visualize your goal, and enjoy the journey getting there! :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[blaxsun]

Buy what you can afford to replace.

 

[wlmalek]

patience
discipline
and patience

 

[DeniseAndy]

What they said, but also research a lot first and have a plan. Know what you can handle realistically with maintenance. You are trying to provide a good home to these amazing animals, so do the research.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Patience, better to wait on something than speed it up, and it all go wrong

 

[dangles]

I’m new so this is still fresh for me…

Wait to buy anything.

Read, read, read some more; watch lots of YouTube. Don’t rush into it. Develop a plan. Wait 6 months then re-evaluate your plan before finally SLOWLY starting to implement the plan.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Read this article.

 

[ReeferTang44]

For me being 13 when I got my 90 gallon a lot things went right because I did a lot of research but this things I could have done better was monitoring my alkalinity calcium magnesium and also a treatment for ich that has worked for me is poly lab reef medic

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Set up a tank that you can enjoy!

What do I mean by that? Set up your new aquarium in a way that will be easier for you to maintain and enjoy. Manage your expectations beforehand. Don’t forget location.

This tank is set up for your enjoyment. Not as a way to make money, not as a status symbol, not to mimic someone else’s reef. It’s yours so enjoy it!

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

Learn quickly from the mistake of not taking it slowly.

 

[exnisstech]

Another vote for patience.
Also don't blindly follow advise given. Look at members posts, build threads etc to make sure advice given is given my someone who is knowledgeably and not just someone who takes what they read online as gospel and repeats it as such.

 

[exnisstech]

Buy what you can afford to replace.

And make sure you can really afford what you buy ;)

 

[Troylee]

Pick a reefer and tank you like! Get to know them, talk to them and follow their ways! Way too many opinions and variables in this hobby so it’s gets overwhelming very quick!

 

[ReeferTang44]

Mr saltwater tank watch some of his videos and see if you like him he is pretty simple and has a lot of videos beginner

 

[paragrouper]

Remember Murphy’s Law—because Murphy inhabits every reef.

Plan for equipment to fail, power to fail and uninvited creatures to plague your tank. The list of lousy things that can happen to your tank is long—so prepare.

You will make mistakes (we all do). Learn from them and endeavor not to repeat them.

 

[RichReef]

Coral is your BEST filter.
Don't slack on your export.
A routine is a must.
Nothing can replace good husbandry.

 

[1112-425XL]

Research, Planning, and Patience

 

[GatorGreg]

Curb your expectations and realize that these tanks that you see that just blow your mind. The odds of your first tank looking like that…..are not great. Set realistic expectations and don’t put things off until they get out of hand. Stay up on your maintenance. If you neglect your tank it will show.

 

[OrchidMiss]

Always, ALWAYS keep your mouth closed when emptying or cleaning skimmer cup.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

@Townes_Van_Camp mentioned this in another thread:

"If you're not okay with lighting a $100 bill on fire without wincing, this is the wrong hobby for you".

I agree with the essence of that comment. I keep myself on a budget but that comment still rings true - I couldn't be in this hobby if I was still at my 25 year old self income.