Reefs.org Forums

[supaboy1981]

read up on what I was getting myself into before I jumped in head first.
This site has helped me alot and I learn something new everyday. I still consider myself a noob and still adding things to my tank and its been running for almost a year now

[Bangbang]

I would have waited for my tank to mature at least 4 months before trying Dwarf Angels.........other than that I have had no regrets. I have been into this over a year now and have not had any major problems.

[Thales]

I have a remote sump, and it is the bestest thing ever!

If I set up another tank, I would buy the right equipment from the beginning. In other words, don't try to get by, get what you need.

2. Wish I had had the equipment to said 135gal plugged into a proper ground fault outlet.

Bottom seal failed, big leak, near fire, glad we were home when it happened, it was not a pretty thing.

IIRC, a GFI won't help prevent a fire. Anyone know if I am stupid or smart?

[M_Phobos]

Don't ever skimp.....like I did. LOL Use good water (the first tank I setup I tried using tap...and it died a very green death), get a good skimmer (a Skilter does not qualify as this! lol), good lighting (NO fluoros aren't going to cut it..reef with MH's or stay home), good pumps/powerheads, good sand...basically...buy the best you possibly can as far as supplies goes (and livestock too!), and you'll make the entire experience that much easier on yourself and have that much more fun...

-Fred

[brandon429]

The one thing I would have done as a beginner is leave out the deep sand bed or anything but a one-inch bed. Correct maintenance of a DSB involves careful stocking of the tank, the right feeding/protein input/processing regimen (tiny sandbed animal support) and the right grain size and consistency of the bed in relation to all these factors. Any part of it gets out of whack, or if you have a system stressor such as a heat spike, and your sandbed will become a nutrient sink to algify the entire setup. I think DSB's are not wise for a beginner setup in which one is testing and learning about the fine balances associated in the hobby. Besides, all a good DSB does is help reduce nitrate which a newcomer can do just the same with good skimming, light bioload and regular water changes.

Leave em out@

[TrevorRobertson]

I would have gotten way better lights to start with built a real releflector for the lights that I do have, and purchased a skimmer (I still have not done this although I have not seen any real problem yet either).

Also I would have gotten a better job and won the lottery so that I could have the tank of my dreams not the tank of my budget!