What advice do you wish you was given when you first started reef keeping?

[jokersplayground]

Let's hear them guys this should be a good one.

 

[G.T]

27 years ago when i first started. Someone should of said. Stick with freshwater its Cheaper !

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

27 years ago when i first started. Someone should of said. Stick with freshwater its Cheaper !

LOL My advice would be to secure your rockwork. I'm tired of my urchin and snails causing avalanches.

 

[dannyp02908]

Dont do it

 

[Curren007K]

It doesn't matter what you name your clown or hippo tang, everyone will refer to them as Nemo and Dory.

 

[JohnK]

"Saltwater is kind of a lot of work because you have to take the rocks out and bleach them every month or so to keep the tank looking natural."

 

[s_kelley]

"Saltwater is kind of a lot of work because you have to take the rocks out and bleach them every month or so to keep the tank looking natural."

You mean this is bad??? Lol

 

[wiz]

Don't take peoples word. Check EVERYTHING for yourself. Thats what google is for.

 

[Jim Tansey]

"Saltwater is kind of a lot of work because you have to take the rocks out and bleach them every month or so to keep the tank looking natural."

I wish I had been given the correct advice the first time I've only been bleaching every six months.

Jim

 

[Curren007K]

"Saltwater is kind of a lot of work because you have to take the rocks out and bleach them every month or so to keep the tank looking natural."

If bleaching your rocks is cool, consider me miles davis.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Take your planned expenses and double them. Twice.

 

[dannyp02908]

^^ That too

 

[jah-hoeva]

My boss told me cocaine is a cheaper habit...

 

[Greg Hiller]

KISS. Keep it simple...stupid. There is sooooo much junk you don't need. UV, ozone, crazy supplements, fancy controllers, moonlight simulators, expensive salt mixes, expensive live rock, fancy sumps, fancy filters (anyone remember wet/dry filter systems!?). What you DO need: redundant main recirculation pumps and a backup power source (UPS) that can power your main pump should you loose power.

Also, plan do deal with salt creep, jumping fish, and equipment failures due to calcium carbonate precipitation. If possible plumb your system so the sump is one floor down. Minimize anything mechanical that can fail if critters with calcium carbonate skeletons decide to build their shells in it.

Be wary of any new equipment. The first models are almost always bad and will fail. Ask old timers the brand and models of equipment that works. I think I still have some Hagen powerheads running that are ~18 years old, likewise for some Eheim pumps.