Weekly Discussion: If I could do it all over!

[Elegance Coral]

Originally Posted by tdwyatt

I wouldn't change a thing.


Even the screw-ups teach us something that helps ourselves and others become better curators.

I don't want to stifle discussion, so I'll drop my end concerning this POV, but seriously; I feel that even the mistakes along the way (and I've unfortunately made plenty) have helped me (forced me) to do research and learn more about the husbandry of what I keep, as well as what NOT to keep. It's also a teaching experience about how important good (preventative) maintenance is when you're trying to keep a Slice of the Ocean 200 miles from the nearest body of seawater.


JM2CW

I agree. The only thing I'd really want to change is the amount of money those lessons cost. When I think of the amount of money I've thrown away on what I now consider stupid decisions, it makes me ill. Then to think that I'm still learning and will probably make more stupid mistakes in the future............. Well, I just can't even think about that.

[Hop]

I would put my wetroom in a different place. I originally designed it when I had the 450 in a different room. Although still functional, it has to take some twists and turns to make it to the wetroom now. If it were directly behind the tank I would have been able to save quite a bit of money and time. I just didn't want to build another room and tear one down for this tank (which was supposed to be a budget build

Oh and I would have went with larger drains

[Seamore]

I think I would research more, plan more, automate more, convince my wife that an 12 foot long in wall tank with a wet room behind it is a good resale feature and a sure way to know where I would be most of the time. I think we are all constantly doing it all over again. We learn how to improve the existing system and tweak it. Or we have the misfortune of a failure and are forced to change something. What I think is that we are all evolving hopefully to better reef-keepers, learning as we go, on our own or through the help of others, we mentally store those bits of next time I'll... in memory or notebook for use in that next system.

[quader94]

i think if i could do it all over i would skip the tank upgrading. I went from a 15 gallon, to a redseamax, and now im getting stuff together for a 150. And i wish i would have cooked my rock, im still dealing with algaes.

[Antdizzle]

I woulda have planned more, especially with coral placement, some type of automation even tho ive seen massive failures behind it... and really looked into PH placement in the tank

[VWD]

Good Question,


I have done it many ways over the years, simple, High tech, Many tanks and systems over the years.

I have to say I think my next large tank will be very simple. basic lighting, flow and skimming

[fihsboy]

I change my mind. If I could have done one thing different....I would have bought a calcium reactor at the get go. Life is easy with it, theres no daily measuring and it eliminates all the daily frustration with two part.IMO the hardest part of keeping a reef is convincing yourself your doing it right. I was always worried about dosing, and if you follow the directions you usually end up with a tank that has unstable parameters. I personally think the ATO and calcium reactor are the two things im most happy about on my tank. It makes my tank a little less stressful and a little more enjoyable.

[jenglish]

THanks for all the responses, I have a follow up question, though feel free to continue with responses to the original.

If there is one lesson you have learned to pass down to someone starting a new tank, what would it be?


Mine would be decide what you really want and get it.... a cheap piece of equipment is a poor deal if you replace it in 6 months and sell the first piece for 1/4 what you paid.

[fchidsey]

Mine would be decide what you really want and get it.... a cheap piece of equipment is a poor deal if you replace it in 6 months and sell the first piece for 1/4 what you paid

That is great advise I will jump back on my soap box that was posted earlier for what I would want to teach everybody I think It appies to reefing as well as life in general.

First off I would have NEVER put anything on a credit card for my tanks (off topic) this has been a long road of hard pain that we are still on getting out of debit, if I could teach everybody one thing, it would be not to use credit cards and the dangers of credit) off my soap box now.

[fihsboy]

I agree with the credit cards.......I purchased a 70 gallon tank thinkin I was going to set it up.....paid 200 for it with a 250 MH setup.......great deal......it was a tek tank. Starfire glass.......absolutly gorgeous. Ran out of money......I had bills.......and ended up selling it.....only got 120 for it....then I was out 80 bucks for absolutly nothing within two weeks. I would say dont buy on impulse and do research. On top of that, figure out your passion. I love my corals, but I LOOOOVE my equipment. I enjoy tinkering with stuff and figuring out how to make it better, and make my corals happier.

[tdwyatt]

I must sway that if you're sure and the experience of others backs up a decision to buy a more expensive, better functioning piece of equipment, get your pennies together and buy the better functioning item RATHER than buying the cheap lighting/skimmer/pump/tank size/automation device... Most folks that stay in the hobby end up realizing that many of the cheapo devices are just that, CHEAP (junk) items that you end up replacing eventually anyway, so you have closets or storage fiull of junk you won't be able to sell, and have spent the bux for both the junk and the expensive item.

BTW, the comment about saving up and spending cash you have RATHER than runninug up a credit card bill for things you want is probably the best piece of non-reef advice you'll get out of this thread (maybe out of ALL the advice!).

I see it all the time.

[fihsboy]

I learned my lesson the hard way. Im 20 years old (almost 21). About a year ago and a half ago I had over $1900 in debt. Im almost out....now. It was a good experience...I learned my lesson......earned outstanding credit scores.....and im on my way to knowing what im doing with my money. I just wish it was more obvious that you shouldnt buy with credit unless its an emergency.

[toddmh]

Originally Posted by jenglish

What would you do differently? I'm not going to say I wish I would I had a 300 gallon instead of a 30 gallon but I know that I could have 70 galllon in nearly the same area. For a little more money I could have gotten a much better light fixture than the Nova extreme I have. I would have started with a sump instead of HOB equipment.

well you about hit the nail on the head for me also..I went cheap on all equipment(that added up to alot anyway)now i'm wishing I invested in good stuff right away

[wharyat]

I would agree with the equipment. Always buy quality, costs more, but to run an old adage into the ground: "You get what you pay for."

I was lucky enough to come across TRT before I got into bigger tanks, so I ended up not buying too much junk. I've still probably wasted around $500 though.


Excellent comment on the credit. Only use credit if you can afford to pay it off that month (unless you get some sweet promos, then you can spread it out over the no interest promo period ). Avoid the interest and build your scores. I vowed not to use any credit with my current build, takes longer, but it's much more rewarding in the end.

[VWD]

Originally Posted by jenglish

If there is one lesson you have learned to pass down to someone starting a new tank, what would it be?

Buy used when ever you can, saves a ton like that, also always have a back up pump and or power heads . Nothing worst then pump failure late Saturday and no where to get a replacement