power boat jim
Well-known member
I have been keeping a reef tank for 12 years and have learned some things are unavoidable, unfixable and maybe unattainble. So these are a few of my thoughts and experiences on this process of trying to keep animals alive in a box full of chemicals, and other related anecdotes. If this helps someone out all the better.
Here goes...
Dont build anything the size you think it should be, it needs to be twice as big. This refers mainly to elect. outlets and pipe diameters.
If something is working for you, dont listen to those who will tell you it cant.
Anytime a piece of coral or rock is removed from the tank it will never go back in the way it was-ever.
Pumps will stop working, lights will burn out, your power will go out, you will get basement flooding rainfall and tank drains will plug but ONLY when you are on vacation.
Before making a decision to change the environment in the tank, take a good look at it and say if I do this whats the worst that could happen. I found the worst that could happen is usually way worse then things are now.
Meeting others in the hobby and exchanging information and frags with them is one of the best things about the hobby.
I have learned perfection is unattainable, there will always be somthing that isnt right or didnt work out as planned. This goes along with chasing "perfect parameters" dont bother because there arent any. There is only a high end and low end anything in between is just fine.
Time spent looing at the tank is time well spent.
Keeping things simple works. I dont dose anything or add unnatural substances to my tank. Im not smart enough to keep up with kind of stuff.
Bad things happen pretty fast, good things generally not.
People who sell fish and supplies are in business to sell stuff, they are not consultants. Knowing exactly what you want and what could happen if you get it before you leave the house is a huge plus.
Science plays a good part in getting the tank started. Art keeps it going in the long run.
Having good neighbors is a big benefit.
The less I move things around is inversly proportional to the amount of success I will have in keeping those things.
The "best" lighting system or kind of lighting doesnt exist. I have tried them all. They all work to some varying degree. I use what is best for my budget and what makes the most sense for what I want to accomplish.
Algae grows in water and its not always bad.
Dont stand on the edge of a plastic sink to bolt up a filtration system. Its not a ladder.
Dont leave salt buckets open in a damp basement. The contents turn into what has to be one of the hardest substances known to man.
Dont throw any coral in the trash that still has any live tissue on it. You will have to use a skunk to get the smell out of the house.
Im sure I have learned many more lessons then I have put up here but my memory isnt what it used to be. You can agree, disagree or just plain make fun of me as most do, its ok Im used to it.
Here goes...
Dont build anything the size you think it should be, it needs to be twice as big. This refers mainly to elect. outlets and pipe diameters.
If something is working for you, dont listen to those who will tell you it cant.
Anytime a piece of coral or rock is removed from the tank it will never go back in the way it was-ever.
Pumps will stop working, lights will burn out, your power will go out, you will get basement flooding rainfall and tank drains will plug but ONLY when you are on vacation.
Before making a decision to change the environment in the tank, take a good look at it and say if I do this whats the worst that could happen. I found the worst that could happen is usually way worse then things are now.
Meeting others in the hobby and exchanging information and frags with them is one of the best things about the hobby.
I have learned perfection is unattainable, there will always be somthing that isnt right or didnt work out as planned. This goes along with chasing "perfect parameters" dont bother because there arent any. There is only a high end and low end anything in between is just fine.
Time spent looing at the tank is time well spent.
Keeping things simple works. I dont dose anything or add unnatural substances to my tank. Im not smart enough to keep up with kind of stuff.
Bad things happen pretty fast, good things generally not.
People who sell fish and supplies are in business to sell stuff, they are not consultants. Knowing exactly what you want and what could happen if you get it before you leave the house is a huge plus.
Science plays a good part in getting the tank started. Art keeps it going in the long run.
Having good neighbors is a big benefit.
The less I move things around is inversly proportional to the amount of success I will have in keeping those things.
The "best" lighting system or kind of lighting doesnt exist. I have tried them all. They all work to some varying degree. I use what is best for my budget and what makes the most sense for what I want to accomplish.
Algae grows in water and its not always bad.
Dont stand on the edge of a plastic sink to bolt up a filtration system. Its not a ladder.
Dont leave salt buckets open in a damp basement. The contents turn into what has to be one of the hardest substances known to man.
Dont throw any coral in the trash that still has any live tissue on it. You will have to use a skunk to get the smell out of the house.
Im sure I have learned many more lessons then I have put up here but my memory isnt what it used to be. You can agree, disagree or just plain make fun of me as most do, its ok Im used to it.