Build thread preferences - please pick your top 4

[Crabs McJones]

I like them all. It's your build thread, you should have fun with it, and i'll enjoy reading it

 

[Crabs McJones]

New build thread? I didn't realize I was going to start up another system!!!

My current tank is under a year old, giving this one a chance to grow out and stabilize before I even consider setting up another!


I agree with 1 a month. I tried to set up the 2nd post of my build thread to show monthly progress at first. It always has the most current FTS on top, but then skips to quarterly in the interest of saving space. I did put links to all of the monthly FTS's that I pulled. That way people have an idea of how quickly/slowly tank progress happened for me.


I was going to add a few more, but the list was already so long...

Sounds like a challange @Brew12, I suggest you accept that challange

 

[Brew12]

Sounds like a challange @Brew12, I suggest you accept that challange

I suggest you get my wife's permission for me to do it. If you are brave enough!

 

[Crabs McJones]

I suggest you get my wife's permission for me to do it. If you are brave enough!

Ha! I can't even get my own wifes permission, let-alone someone elses ;Hilarious

 

[count krunk]

#1:
Start with the how and show it

#2:
Show the good bad and ugly. Many threads I have read are just "look at how great my tank is"

#3:
Pictures of the whole tank! And not 20 zooomed in pics of one Coral after another. Growth comparison pics! FTS, sump photos.

 

[Idoc]

I'm curious what my fellow reefers like to see in a build thread. I do my best to keep my thread updated, fun, varied, and full of pictures but now I want to know what you would recommend to someone starting a new build thread if they would want YOU to follow it.

I'm asking that you only pick your top 4 preferences so we can establish some kind of ranking.

I think you left off a big choice...Details on how something was built, setup, or problem solved! When new to reefing this is important for others to learn from!

 

[Brew12]

#1:
Start with the how and show it

#2:
Show the good bad and ugly. Many threads I have read are just "look at how great my tank is"

#3:
Pictures of the whole tank! And not 20 zooomed in pics of one Coral after another. Growth comparison pics! FTS, sump photos.

Sump photo's are a great idea. Something I don't do and really should. Great suggestion!

 

[Brew12]

I think you left off a big choice...Details on how something was built, setup, or problem solved! When new to reefing this is important for others to learn from!

I thought about putting it on there, but left it off because I felt it would be everyone's first choice. Not to mention it wouldn't be a "build thread" without the build.
But you are right.. kicking myself for having left it off. With so many votes in already I think it would mess things up if I made the change at this point.

 

[Brew12]

I have to admit that I am shocked maintenance practices are scoring this high, along with equipment choices. Does this imply that people spend more time browsing build threads as a learning opportunity than to be social or look at pictures?

 

[Katrina71]

I have to admit that I am shocked maintenance practices are scoring this high, along with equipment choices. Does this imply that people spend more time browsing build threads as a learning opportunity than to be social or look at pictures?

I do both. I look at tank pics and ask questions. If the op is gracious enough to explain it, I'm thrilled.

 

[Fin]

I like them all, but really prefer to see how other reefers build their systems - small and large. I like to see what makes successful reef tanks tick. I usually skim through close up photos of inhabitants, but I do like good FTS photos and sump pics.

 

[Katrina71]

Another thing...failures and uglies need to be documented! They inspire discussions that help others resolve the same issue, or at least be better prepared.

 

[lapin]

Another thing...failures and uglies need to be documented! They inspire discussions that help others resolve the same issue, or at least be better prepared.

You mean people actually break bulkheads, get water on the floor and drop their phones in the tank?

 

[Katrina71]

You mean people actually break bulkheads, get water on the floor and drop their phones in the tank?

I make my son put his in a Ziplock bag before he takes pics of his tank with the hood open. Lol not joking.

 

[Muttley000]

I have to admit that I am shocked maintenance practices are scoring this high, along with equipment choices. Does this imply that people spend more time browsing build threads as a learning opportunity than to be social or look at pictures?

Seeing how their equipment and maintenance choices worked out is a huge part of me coming back to a thread after it is running

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have come to notice more and more..... Viewers love pictures.
As said.... " Every picture tells a Story !! "

 

[Fritzhamer]

None of the above, I like to see under the tank. Where's the fuge? Is there a fuge? Have you figured out a clever way to do something? How'd you hide the wires? How's it lit? How'd you do the stand? You put a ventilation hole where? Etc.

 

[Rcpilot]

I want to see the mechanics of it all. Let's see your DIY sump and refugium. Take detailed pics of your plumbing and drains. Show us how you mounted your lights inside the canopy and kept them cool. Show us your DIY stand made from wood, steel, aluminum etc..

Show us your controller and probes and explain why you mounted them here, or over there. Show us your wiring and how you cleaned it up to look nice and neat. Lemme see your programming code - I'm new to controllers and have no idea how to even begin basic setup.

Do you have a controller app on your phone? How does it work? Has it alerted you to a possible problem and given you time to run home and fix it beforte it turned into a tank crash? Details please.

I really don't get too excited about fish, leathers or SPS corals.

Would love to see a FTS when it's built -- and a follow up FTS every 3 months to show progressive coral growth.

 

[Amoo]

I'm curious what my fellow reefers like to see in a build thread. I do my best to keep my thread updated, fun, varied, and full of pictures but now I want to know what you would recommend to someone starting a new build thread if they would want YOU to follow it.

I'm asking that you only pick your top 4 preferences so we can establish some kind of ranking.

Heck yeah, maintenance practices is holding it's own with FTS even!!!

 

[jda]

My only real want is that the people transition from the build into the day to day. We are seeing too many people go for the perfect build and then their tank sucks since they had the stomach for a build, but not the actual hobby. I guess that if a build thread never dies, then that would be my suggestion. I also think that it would be cool for the OP to update the first post with quarterly incremental shots so that I do not have to scan 30 pages - Admins, get on this.

I can do without a few things... photos of the stuff in the boxes that FedEx just dropped off. It also kills me when I see a nice tank with a clear back with the salt creep and cords showing. I really DO NOT want to see any equipment preferences unless the poster has used other stuff and has a breath and depth of experience to know what is what... what a first-tank person chose is of no consequence to me.