top 100 things about reefs I had to learn the hard way...

68) Never ever buy anything that you can't identify or aren't prepared to provide for. I learned this lesson by jumping in feet first. I saw a bright green clump of algae with an "anenome" on it at ATR and thought it would be so cool to have in my display. I'd heard of sumps, but I just didn't know anything. Of course the algae went sexual (this was fun to clean up) and the anemone was a giant aiptasia. Oh, and of course there are the hermit crabs.

67) The substrate in a tank can be a great asset or a terrible weakness. (Subliminal message: read everything Dr. Ron has written about substrates.)

66) You can't skimp on equipment, especially for a nano.

65) Good equipment for small tanks is not much cheaper than good equipment for larger tanks.
 
LOL Erin/Scott, what did Erin sign on, type, sign off, get up, Scott sits down, signs on, types ... ;-)
 
sidewinder770 said:
Actually- she typed them both- she just didn't want to admit she was involved in my mistakes :)
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64) Get a significant other who loves your hobby. One with a sense of humor helps as well.

63) If they don't, just remind them that if you weren't doing a water change, you'd be at the bar and single girls love married guys. :lol:
 
62) When you are just starting, go ahead and buy stuff that's TOO BIG to fit on your current aquarium, you're going to need it before you have it set-up anyways! I bought a 55g, changed my mind, tossed a bunch of goldfish in it, and have just purchased a 190g, that NONE of my stuff will fit!:lol:
 
61) Don't work in the tank for hours with the halides on . You will get sunburnt !
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I've gotten a sunburn under my halides too, but have you ever had your vision stay weird (trying to correct for refraction) after looking through the glass for too long? I'm talking after a few hours...
 
Fliger said:
64) Get a significant other who loves your hobby. One with a sense of humor helps as well.

63) If they don't, just remind them that if you weren't doing a water change, you'd be at the bar and single girls love married guys. :lol:
Click to expand...


DOH! I have to give a lot of credit to my husband, he is most helpful and forgiving and the more time goes by, the more he is getting in to it. He even coaxed me to buy the 180 we are setting up. :)

He makes me get out of the way for water changes because he doesn't want me lifting heavy bottles of water. Or maybe to keep me away from the bar? I just had to have my gloat moment and give an amen to #64
 
59) the "temporary" equipment fix with 15 extension cords and 18 timers will still be in place in 4 years.
 
58) Drip Acclimate
57) Float-in-tank-for-15min Acclimate
56) Don't Acclimate
55) DSB
54) BB
53) between BB and DSB
52) All of the above
51) when in doubt, refer to 52
 
50) The prettier it is, the more likely it is that it is capable of killing you! (zoanthids)
 
That's funny, I was coming here to post something titled, "Most important thing I've learned about reefing..."

After you frag some softies and get all slimed up from them trying to defend themselves, thoroughly wash your hands before touching...um...more sensitive parts of your body. Ouch.
 
46) Water, especially salt water, conducts electricity extremely well.
45) remember when speaking to the insurance agents, only your living room is in the "flood zone", not your whole house, maybe you can get a break on the premiums
 
Sorry Bkndsdl....... :)

58) Acclimate according to the creature. All creatures do not need the same process.

57) DSB, BB, SSB, they all work. Choose your method, find a mentor and stick to your guns.

56) When cleaning equipment with vinegar use RO water because tap counteracts the acid in vinegar and it takes longer.

55) Unplug the heater when doing a water change.

54) Snail Guards.

53) Use Interceptor on ALL incoming acro's no matter who they come from!!

52) If you have a tank larger than 100g and don't feel like you are living, breathing water then you aren't doing enough water changes! :D

51) GFCI....GFCI.....GFCI

.....back to our regularly scheduled program.

44) Lots of Posts on RC does not necessarily mean lots of knowledge.

43) Tanks failures can be summed up in two categories. Equipment failure and Poor Husbandry............that's a tough pill to swallow. :)
 
44) When adding washing soda to adjust pH (for the first time and when you're not sure how much to use), do not add the entire amount at once. Unless you really didn't like those damsels much anyway. . .
:(
 
43) Save money by DIY-ing what you can. Don't try to save money by buying cheaper pumps, etc. In the end you end up paying for the cheap stuff AND the expensive stuff that you replace it with when it fails.

42) Nutrient removal is the bane of our existence. Just accept it and go do another water change...

43) Always factor in the cost of a high quality digital camera when drawing out your initial plans and cost estimates. You will own that camera sooner than you think.
 
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