Perhaps you have heard the saying that nothing good happens fast in a reef tank. It is so true. Patience is a key ingredient for success in this hobby, on a number of fronts.

Avoid Instant Gratification

Let’s start by talking about instant gratification. A “new” reef tank can look very sparse with a lot of open space. You scope out a beautiful mature reef and you want to get to the same happy place with your tank sooner rather than later. Big mistake. Instant gratification can be a killer in this hobby so the best tactic is to practice patience and take things slow.

When you start a reef you begin the cycling process by adding rock and, in some cases, sand and bottled bacteria. You MORE