If you could start over?

[driftin]

I'd move my built-in tank ~1" to the right along the wall so I could fit a second MP40 where I really want it.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

I were to start over, I would refrain from adding pulsing Xenia
Oh, and the sump in the basement.

Waffleman

 

[jbird69]

Not inherited this big piano that no one plays. It would be the perfect spot for a 48x24x24. My wife has become attached to the piano and aside from one of my sons pals that is a phenom pianist, it just collects dust.

 

[Reefer Steve]

I would have...


Bigger sump
Bigger skimmer
Never put zoas, shrooms, rics, or anything non-sps as they just become weeds
never add montipora as the can block huge sections of the tanks flow
more water volume

 

[SeaIsle]

Add fish more slowly and not rush to add zoas and shrooms just to have coral as stated ^

 

[aquariumclown]

I would have...


Bigger sump
Bigger skimmer
Never put zoas, shrooms, rics, or anything non-sps as they just become weeds
never add montipora as the can block huge sections of the tanks flow
more water volume

Haha, that's good advice from someone w/ a 29g tank. :lol2:

 

[E.intheC]

For me; taking a lot more time picking equipment, doing the rockscape dry and securing everything first, and being more patient with fish purchases. Lol

 

[rkaires]

A bigger tank for sure and stay away from GSP. It took almost two years to get it under control.

 

[Dtronic]

Nothing really. I bought a complete 125 set-up eight months ago cheap and figured out what I really wanted with it. Now I am getting ready to put together a bigger tank with what I have learned.

To me, it was like owning a second hand car while learning to drive.

 

[stephenrsaiz]

I started in this hobby years ago, and I learned a very good lesson over the years. Save your money for the best equipment. Not the best equipment you can afford, but top quality equipment. I wasted so much money over the years trying to save money on equipment. Those items I thought I was saving money on are now all in the trash. I set-up my new tank last year, and it's been top-notch equipment for me since.

 

[strout]

This topic, should be required reading for anyone getting started with a tank. Alot of good advice being posted here.

 

[matt the fiddler]

wow.. that was most of my list- and what I am doing currently on my new tank.. awesome

I made some updates to adapt to my setup and recommendations

i did just that 10 months ago
after more then 15 years of reefing with a standard 125 i started over
key points:
1) tank - 60x24x30 shape is everything
2) flow - gyre type flow pattern with placement of pumps designed into the reefscape
4) tank and sump- in basement, summer cooler, larger sumps plumbed together, more volume
5) scape - open yet has a large surface area done with caves, overhangs, and 6 - 12" all the way around front, back, and sides for flow
6) corals - choice pieces well placed with growth, shape, color, and aggresion all considered
7) ease - CA Reactor, kalk, bacteria and a good skimmer - kiss
8) nature over technology - cheato, cryptic, detritus settling areas all included in sump
9) display bb so no sand to maintain
10) fish - functional as well as nice looking combos
11 big skimmer, closed loop and all flow helping the cyclical movment
hmm what else ??? i know there is more but that would be where i started

 

[elijaher]

Add fish in group not one at a time ie tangs-wrasses etc.

 

[tsr770]

A 48x30x21 tank instead of my 36x30x21, and a thru the back overflow rather than the standard black box reef ready type overflow that takes up too much space

 

[dmorel]

The big changes I made when building the new tank were planning for things like ease of maintenance. Dedicated RODI storage, dedicated water change systems, super well thought out plumbing design.
Ironically even in building this new tank, I made a mistake, went with a CA Reactor over dosers and ended up having to shelve the Reactor and drop a few bucks on dosing pumps...

the more you know

 

[serpentman]

I would have been a little more selective on the individual corals. In the early stages as things are all frags, its tempting to fill space with average/inexpensive corals. Personally, there are a few corals in my tank I wish I would have held off on. Its never too late. However, removing colonies can get a little tricky.

 

[matt the fiddler]

doing too many things at once.. trying every new idea that sounds cool... no tank direction.

 

[matt the fiddler]

OH yea- a big one..

drilling holes in the rock for frags (via rigid airline tube) all over the place- easy to move frags around than epoxy

 

[arc eye]

IMO

1. Not wasting time or money on fancy plumbing (closed loops) when more attractive and effective options are available (tunze or vortechs) without compromising the integrity of your tank.

2. Not wasting time or money on "filler" corals or falling into LE coral fads (unless you like emptying your wallet you are better off waiting for them to become common and available at a fraction of the price).

3. Not wasting time or money on supplements. There really isn't much that can't be fixed with regular water changes and some of the supplements physically cannot do what they claim they can.

4. Remember that most of the time simpler is better. The easier your tank is to maintain, the more often you will do it. Same goes for tank size..........bigger is not always better.

5. Not obsess so much about the hobby!!!!!................as if that's even possible! LOL.

 

[fullmonti]

When I posted this thread I expected wanting to change some thing in system set up, but not so much.
Wasn't surprised at the many "I'd get a bigger tank" ect.
Any one else?