Learn from our mistakes

[digitalreefer]

Fred started a similar thread awhile ago and I thought it was worth revisiting since we seem to have a lot of newbies lately.
This thread went a bit off track so I thought I'd start a new one, but the old one is here:
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum...sh-someone-told-me.html?highlight=closed+loop

So here's some things that top my list:

Don't use tap water... no really... don't do it.

Get a reef ready tank, or drill the tank and add a sump. It opens up a new world in equipment choices and adds water volume.

Add more flow than you think you need.

Don't underestimate the killing power of heat. Get a chiller or find a way to cool your tank before July

Be careful when you buy fish and corals. This is how parasites and disease enter your tank. Dip and/or quarantine anything questionable

Ok everyone... let's add some other mistakes we've made and help out the flock of newcomers.

 

[NYreefNoob]

noob

ok i am one of the new people to reef's, but i learnt from my fw tank that buy what you plan to buy anyways, dont waste you money on halfway items, just wait a little longer and get the right thing's from the start. believe me im a cheap b%@#&@*, but i waited to upgrade this time around till i got what i wanted, and a little bigger is better than to small. oh and dont rush out to buy fish or other live items till tank is ready. and number one rule everyone has opinions on what works and doesnt or whats good and not good, but remember no one has the exact same tank and set-up, but do collect info and listen

 

[DEEPWATER]

:bump: for eric and fred :lol2:

 

[DEEPWATER]

I bumped the thread i made early this year ,,,,you can restart the thread and read thru it ,lots of good info ,,,oh use the search button :lol2:


http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum...n-other-ppls-mistakes.html?highlight=mistakes

 

[reefman]

DO NOT BUY "hmm... what is that?" until u do some reserach on it.

 

[Dace]

My very first mistake???? Getting into this hobby. The rest is history.

 

[MikeyNYC]

Don't Top-Off evaporated water with saltwater

Bad mistake!. An even bigger mistake was using a hydrometer to monitor salinity levels, plastic junk!.

Purchase a refractor!

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Water changes are not just to remove the stuff you don't want it's also to replenish the stuff you do want. I used to be really lazy with water changes and now I can't get enough of them. They are the easiest way to a great tank. Get a refractometer too the swing arms are a waste of money.

 

[Henrye]

As a new person here, I can only add a few items I've learned so far.

Yes, use a GFCI. I crashed my tanks (FW, not so bad, & SW on same GFCI circuit, THAT is a mistake, multiple is better so you're not risking everything on one circuit) but at least I didn't come home to a bunch of fire trucks in front of my building, or god forbid, sit around some day and watch my kid start shaking while she's working in the tank. I care deeply for fish and corals, but I'd rather rebuild a tank than rebuild my home, let alone risk injury, or worse.

Also, being new, I've found that you need to critically review the information you read. This board has consistently demonstrated that the folks here are smart, experienced, and knowledgeable. As we all don't go to just one forum, don't assume the advice given on other boards is correct. I've found people handing out information on other boards that defy the laws of biology, chemistry and physics. When in doubt, look for other opinions, because freshwater aquarium salt does NOT work when you're short on salt mix..........

 

[Awibrandy]

:bump:

 

[BroRage]

flaws

Did not see much of this or might have skipped it..but something that I have learned and made a mistake on was that corals need really good flow...and just as any other regular animal...it needs to be fed..