What IF !

[tall_jason79]

You could go back in time, what would be the one thing you would change when you first started out ? For example, the one thing i would have changed when i had started would have been the location, i could have used a bit more fish room space. I had a 7ft 200 gallon and a 5 ft 120 gallon built in the wall.

This might provide a bit of insight of some things to look for during the planning phase that they might not have thought about. :thumbsup:

 

[TanksDad13]

I'm doing this exact thing this time around. Buy the equipment you want, save and don't compromise. It can save you a ton of headaches!


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[Pife]

You could go back in time, what would be the one thing you would change when you first started out ? For example, the one thing i would have changed when i had started would have been the location, i could have used a bit more fish room space. I had a 7ft 200 gallon and a 5 ft 120 gallon built in the wall.

This might provide a bit of insight of some things to look for during the planning phase that they might not have thought about. [emoji106]

I'd raise my sump higher and put a bulk head in each chamber of the sump for easier clean out.

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[Breto]

I'd raise my sump higher and put a bulk head in each chamber of the sump for easier clean out.

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This sounds like a fantastic idea!!


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[Pife]

This sounds like a fantastic idea!!


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Thank you I wanted to do it in my current system but the pressure to get it up and running took over. I still have the bulkheads to do it. LOL

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[mpgrant77]

This is an awesome question. I started to list the things I would have done different but as I thought a little more about it, I don't think I would really change a lot. By going through the learning curve and by doing x and later realizing why I should have done y or purchased differently is the reason why I make better decisions when i set up a new system now. The lessons learned make me sit down and think through the reasons how I should set up my current build and more importantly why I should set it up this way. Sure you can tell someone new to the hobby to raise your sump and put bulkheads with drains in each section. (which is a great idea by the way) but until you have tried to empty and move a large sump and suffered through trying to get the water out and the plumbing disconnected (Because you did not use any unions) you haven't really learned why you need to do this. Also I don't think most people can truly appreciate nice equipment until you have struggled with poor equipment. Personally I don't think I would appreciate things like an apex controller until i had run systems without them or cepex valves without using pvc valves from lowes, or cobalt neotherm heaters until a glass heater breaks in your tank. Plus everyone's system can be so different that learning what works for you is important. Having said all that I would go back and join a saltwater club when i started not 20 years later. That would have helped the learning curve greatly.

 

[tall_jason79]

I feel this is one of the discouraging factors of the hobby. You put a ton of time and money into what you research just to sell things and change later when it is more difficult. Granted, its going to happen, but if it is minimized it can be far more enjoyable. Great input so far guys, keep up the great replies. :dance:

 

[Nanook]

Don't box yourself in with big, fancy in wall tanks:lol: I miss just taking a tank down easily and putting a different size in it's place. Now I am stuck.

Fortunately, I had a lot of experience along the way in 20 years of doing all kinds of aquariums. I also had the best of the best with installing the system, the electric, the HVAC, the plumbing, the MIG welding on the door hinges, the light rail holders with roller skate wheels. Capo spent a year or more down there designing my system. Lost Marbles installed all my electric and generator. Many friends helped me plumb things.

My advice would be to involve others in your built along the way to consider different aspects you might not have considered otherwise.

 

[Pife]

I feel this is one of the discouraging factors of the hobby. You put a ton of time and money into what you research just to sell things and change later when it is more difficult. Granted, its going to happen, but if it is minimized it can be far more enjoyable. Great input so far guys, keep up the great replies. :dance:

A lot of planning went into my system. If you'd like to come check it out send me a pm. We met briefly at nooks Saturday.

 

[tall_jason79]

Thanks brandon, i am kicking around a couple scenarios right now. This would be a drawn out process depending on the direction i take. I am mostly trying to re-educate myself on some hardware and processes that were not prevalent 5-7 years ago.

 

[sweatyirishmen1]

The bulk head idea is great! I agree I hate thinking back on it. But I would not of learned what I have if not for the trials. That said I would of or I'd recommend someone coming in join a group before you buy. And find a buddy to help you walk through everything. I wish I would of had someone that could have helped me with there experience.


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[chucklez]

This current build I raised the sump level for less back breaking and easier siphoning. Putting a bulkhead on each chamber is a heck of an idea.

Use a lot of unions and ball valves and in places where flow restrictions are required, use gate valves not ball valves to accomplish that. Gate valves give you better control. Union may be more costly but help tremendously in maintenance and breakdown.

Myself, I upsize my pipe. If the output of my return is 1", I use 1 1/2" pvc. The cost is negligible and flow IMHO tends to be better.

 

[clevername]

I’m doing this exact thing this time around. Buy the equipment you want, save and don’t compromise. It can save you a ton of headaches!

I moved and went out of the hobby for about 3 years. Recently started back up and this was 100% my motto when starting up. I use to mod cheap skimmers with mesh or mod MJ power heads for more power. Ended up costing so much money and time, SO much hassle in upkeep and double buying.

Did i spend WAY more this time around, yes. Can i sit on my couch and not have to mess with anything for weeks at a time, yes.

Also this never happened to me, BUT i see all the time why people get out of the hobby is they put the tank in the basement. My golden rule for someone starting out is NEVER put the tank in the basement. a year later youll end up selling it

 

[jtrasap]

Just to reiterate on Chucklez' point...... gate valves and unions galore. They will save soooooo much headache when that time comes that you need to disassemble some plumbing for whatever reason it may be, and there will most likely be many reasons to do so.

 

[Lance A. Lot]

On my tank I would have drilled holes for the return lines instead of having them come in from the top. At the time I didn't think about how the screen tops would fit around them. Now they are a pain to deal with and I most often leave the screen tops partially on.