aztbs
Active member
I don't actually have 100 things to put on this list, but I thought I could get it started. I have had my tank going for 2 years, the first 8 months were fish only but coming from more than 10 years of freshwater keeping I thought I knew more than I did!
So lets share some knowledge (and just be fun) about things you learned after the fact. (in no particular order) I am sure we all can benefit:
100... You can't succeed without planning. You can't plan without knowledge. The best knowledge comes from experience. If it's your first reef tank, you have none. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Do your best and expect to make some giant mistakes. Get a mentor and ask lots of questions.
99... Kenya Tree coral is indestructable and can spread ANYWHERE.
98... Just because you test for Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates it does not mean you have perfect water conditions. PH, CA, ALK can be included in this list too.
97... Lengthy stirring, mixing, aerrating your DI top off and change water is not just something weird people do to dissolve salt and such. If you fail to do this you will have problems maintaining PH and alkalinity in your tank. (this took me a long time to figure out)
96... Reef tanks require a LOT of storage space in your house. There is probably 5x more volume of equipment than there is actual aquarium. I am talking about water storage and mixing, water filters, chemicals, scrapers, towels, etc, etc, etc
95... if you are DIY at all, you will soon collect an entire toolbox full of reef tools and you will have to yell at your spouse to not use them on the car or other non reef friendly applications.
I am sure I can think of a lot more, but I wanted to hear more from the group.
So lets share some knowledge (and just be fun) about things you learned after the fact. (in no particular order) I am sure we all can benefit:
100... You can't succeed without planning. You can't plan without knowledge. The best knowledge comes from experience. If it's your first reef tank, you have none. Don't believe everything you read on the internet. Do your best and expect to make some giant mistakes. Get a mentor and ask lots of questions.
99... Kenya Tree coral is indestructable and can spread ANYWHERE.
98... Just because you test for Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates it does not mean you have perfect water conditions. PH, CA, ALK can be included in this list too.
97... Lengthy stirring, mixing, aerrating your DI top off and change water is not just something weird people do to dissolve salt and such. If you fail to do this you will have problems maintaining PH and alkalinity in your tank. (this took me a long time to figure out)
96... Reef tanks require a LOT of storage space in your house. There is probably 5x more volume of equipment than there is actual aquarium. I am talking about water storage and mixing, water filters, chemicals, scrapers, towels, etc, etc, etc
95... if you are DIY at all, you will soon collect an entire toolbox full of reef tools and you will have to yell at your spouse to not use them on the car or other non reef friendly applications.
I am sure I can think of a lot more, but I wanted to hear more from the group.
