30 things I wish I knew when starting the hobby
- Thread starter FishOfHex
- Start date
He makes a lot of good points, but this would have been handled better by just doing a post on here. Trying to listen to someone talk for about 22 min gets dull fast.
I disagree with some of the points -
Trying to grow coraline algae, IMO coraline is just another nuisance algae
Getting a controller, really not needed unless you have something to control
Not liking clowns, more a problem with fish selection
Big refugium, this is desirable, but not critical
I disagree with some of the points -
Trying to grow coraline algae, IMO coraline is just another nuisance algae
Getting a controller, really not needed unless you have something to control
Not liking clowns, more a problem with fish selection
Big refugium, this is desirable, but not critical
StirCrayzy
Well-Known Member
Coraline would be great if it just stayed on the rocks.
Oxylebius
Well-Known Member
Okay. Here you go paraphrased. I recommend listening to the video as he provides examples.
Overall good advise. Some of it is opinion and preference, but still something to think about. There are also some very good points made as well.
I fully agree with #1 below. The more reading you do, the more knowledge you gain, the more successful you will be. You will be able to make more informed decisions when you know more about the mechanics, biology, and chemistry of keeping a SW system. Knowledge is an investment in yourself and your system.
1. Knowledge: Reading, reading, reading.. makes you successful. He elaborates on this in the video.
2. Patience: Be patient. When making changes, let the tank adjust to those changes before making additional changes (waiting a week or two to let the tank adjust to the changes you make before making additional changes).
3. Coraline Algae: waste of time to try to get it to grow. Better to focus on creating a stable tank that has good parameters. Coralline algae will then grow on its own.
4. Drilled tank: preference only. He elaborates on this in the video.
5. Sump big enough to compensate for water overflowed when power went off. Always go bigger.
6. Have a backup plan for when power goes out. You can loose a lot of $$$ and life w/a power outage. Have on hand a generator and battery backup, a lot of $$ up front but worth it.
7. Apex: preference only. He loved it and couldn't believe he went so long w/out it. He elaborates on this in the video.
8. Getting spouse involved in hobby (and kids). Big plus. He elaborates on this in the video.
9. Too many tanks: preference again. Too much to handle. He elaborates on this in the video.
10. Clownfish: preference again. Damsels are mean fish. He elaborates on this in the video.
12? Did I miss 11. Never add too many fish too fast. Allow the tank to stabilize before you add another fish.
13. Don't feed fish every time you look at them.
14. Big refugium is the only way to go. Preference again. He elaborates on this in the video.
15. Don't believe everything you read on the forums. People are dumb. Some advice is not informed, people are just answering even though it is not based on science/ fact. Look at multiple sources and read up before you make decisions.
16. Nothing happens overnight or even in a month. You can't have a stable tank with no algae in a few months time, it doesn't happen fast. It takes over a year for a tank to mature and even then it won't be perfect. Nutrients can pop up at anytime. Don't rush. Enjoy the journey.
17. Not QT'ing fish is a huge mistake. All it takes is one fish that looks healthy that can take out your entire tank. Lots of $$ wasted by not QT'ing fish. Wished he had QT'ed all his fish. Not worth the risk.
18. Don't chase numbers. Let your tank fall into what it is comfortable with. Dose within normal limits.
19. It costs $$ to run a tank. Plan ahead. He elaborates on this in the video.
20. Don't buy coral b/c it looks cool. Research what the coral needs and make sure your tank can support it before you buy it. He elaborates on this in the video.
21. Don't buy big carpet anemones. Again, look to see if you can support them. Separate tank from reef tank. He elaborates on this in the video.
22. Don't hand feed eels. Bad idea. Bad eyesight = bad bites. He elaborates on this in the video.
23. Wear gloves with working with corals. Wear googles, use proper tools. He elaborates on this in the video.
24. Don't buy lionfish b/c they look cool. They eat everything. They sit around and don't do anything = boring. He elaborates on this in the video.
25. Do your water changes and keep up on maintenance. Keep a log to help to remember what you did when. Clean pumps, skimmer, etc., regularly.
26. Equipment will fail. Always have a backup, especially your pumps.
27. Never use soap and then put your hands into tank. Always rinse hands/ arms with just water and dry with paper towel. He elaborates on this in the video.
28. Always epoxy rock in bare bottom tank. He elaborates on this in the video.
29. Always have extra RO/DI water around. He elaborates on this in the video.
30. Don't buy fish for tank if you aren't ready for them. Do research on adult size of fish and size of your tank. Don't buy a fish that will grow to a foot long for a 20g tank. He elaborates on this in the video.
Overall good advise. Some of it is opinion and preference, but still something to think about. There are also some very good points made as well.
I fully agree with #1 below. The more reading you do, the more knowledge you gain, the more successful you will be. You will be able to make more informed decisions when you know more about the mechanics, biology, and chemistry of keeping a SW system. Knowledge is an investment in yourself and your system.
1. Knowledge: Reading, reading, reading.. makes you successful. He elaborates on this in the video.
2. Patience: Be patient. When making changes, let the tank adjust to those changes before making additional changes (waiting a week or two to let the tank adjust to the changes you make before making additional changes).
3. Coraline Algae: waste of time to try to get it to grow. Better to focus on creating a stable tank that has good parameters. Coralline algae will then grow on its own.
4. Drilled tank: preference only. He elaborates on this in the video.
5. Sump big enough to compensate for water overflowed when power went off. Always go bigger.
6. Have a backup plan for when power goes out. You can loose a lot of $$$ and life w/a power outage. Have on hand a generator and battery backup, a lot of $$ up front but worth it.
7. Apex: preference only. He loved it and couldn't believe he went so long w/out it. He elaborates on this in the video.
8. Getting spouse involved in hobby (and kids). Big plus. He elaborates on this in the video.
9. Too many tanks: preference again. Too much to handle. He elaborates on this in the video.
10. Clownfish: preference again. Damsels are mean fish. He elaborates on this in the video.
12? Did I miss 11. Never add too many fish too fast. Allow the tank to stabilize before you add another fish.
13. Don't feed fish every time you look at them.
14. Big refugium is the only way to go. Preference again. He elaborates on this in the video.
15. Don't believe everything you read on the forums. People are dumb. Some advice is not informed, people are just answering even though it is not based on science/ fact. Look at multiple sources and read up before you make decisions.
16. Nothing happens overnight or even in a month. You can't have a stable tank with no algae in a few months time, it doesn't happen fast. It takes over a year for a tank to mature and even then it won't be perfect. Nutrients can pop up at anytime. Don't rush. Enjoy the journey.
17. Not QT'ing fish is a huge mistake. All it takes is one fish that looks healthy that can take out your entire tank. Lots of $$ wasted by not QT'ing fish. Wished he had QT'ed all his fish. Not worth the risk.
18. Don't chase numbers. Let your tank fall into what it is comfortable with. Dose within normal limits.
19. It costs $$ to run a tank. Plan ahead. He elaborates on this in the video.
20. Don't buy coral b/c it looks cool. Research what the coral needs and make sure your tank can support it before you buy it. He elaborates on this in the video.
21. Don't buy big carpet anemones. Again, look to see if you can support them. Separate tank from reef tank. He elaborates on this in the video.
22. Don't hand feed eels. Bad idea. Bad eyesight = bad bites. He elaborates on this in the video.
23. Wear gloves with working with corals. Wear googles, use proper tools. He elaborates on this in the video.
24. Don't buy lionfish b/c they look cool. They eat everything. They sit around and don't do anything = boring. He elaborates on this in the video.
25. Do your water changes and keep up on maintenance. Keep a log to help to remember what you did when. Clean pumps, skimmer, etc., regularly.
26. Equipment will fail. Always have a backup, especially your pumps.
27. Never use soap and then put your hands into tank. Always rinse hands/ arms with just water and dry with paper towel. He elaborates on this in the video.
28. Always epoxy rock in bare bottom tank. He elaborates on this in the video.
29. Always have extra RO/DI water around. He elaborates on this in the video.
30. Don't buy fish for tank if you aren't ready for them. Do research on adult size of fish and size of your tank. Don't buy a fish that will grow to a foot long for a 20g tank. He elaborates on this in the video.
Oxylebius
Well-Known Member
And here is a great place to begin on this forum for more information for those of you who are just starting off. And for those of you who would like a little refresher as well 
LOOK! Frequently Asked Questions~
Potential stings and poisons in our reef tanks!!
Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank.
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forum/index.php?forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners.4/
LOOK! Frequently Asked Questions~
Potential stings and poisons in our reef tanks!!
Newbies, a little something on cycling/breaking in a new reef tank.
http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forum/index.php?forums/just-starting-out-sw-beginners.4/