Hey All!

Softpaws · Apr 10, 2019

Hey there,

It is wonderful to meet a great group of people who are so helpful. I'm new to this forum and everyone I have spoken to has been patient and kind.

I currently have a 150g tank which I'm stocking right now. I have had a few tanks in the past but
haven't played around with corals too much.

I have one question for people, especially the veterans.

"If you could start your tank over again, what would you do differently?"

Anyhow, looking forward to pick the brains of people who know more than I do!

Cheers!
-Softpaw

Crabs McJones · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

If I could start over again, I'd go bigger!

mich2599 · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

GoldeneyeRet · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome aboard!

HotRocks · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!

I would do things differently if I were to start over. Different coral selection, a lighter stocked tank etc.

dbl · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R and your new reefing family.

Billldg · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Hitman · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Rjukan · Apr 10, 2019

Hi Softpaw and welcome to R2R!!

I would say the one thing I would do differently would have been to get a different dimension tank. Currently have a cube and love the size, but in hindsight I would rather a rectangular tank.

Enjoy the stocking process and your foray into keeping corals.

Softpaws · Apr 10, 2019

Thank you all!
I'm looking forward to learn from everyone here.

Retro Reefer · Apr 10, 2019

reef lover · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to r2r!

KJ · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome to R2R!!!

Ruben's Reef · Apr 10, 2019

!!! Welcome to R2R @Softpaws !!! I would do many things different. Like a bigger size tank, selected corals, selected fishes, probably some live rocks, etc. Once you learn a little bit on this hobby you will find many thing that you will do differently.

Brad Miller · Apr 10, 2019

Hi !
Welcome to the forum !
If I had to do it over again...I would definitely have built a 1000 gallon tank into the main bedroom wall

ccombs · Apr 10, 2019

Welcome! I just wish I truly understood patience when I started.

Salty Lemon · Apr 10, 2019

With my very first SW tank, I wish I took my time and went slower. I thought I was doing fine then lost everything within 24 hours. I felt horrible -- still do in a way. I'm glad you joined us. Welcome to R2R!

Softpaws · Apr 10, 2019

Salty Lemon said:
With my very first SW tank, I wish I took my time and went slower. I thought I was doing fine then lost everything within 24 hours. I felt horrible -- still do in a way. I'm glad you joined us. Welcome to R2R!

How did you lose everything in 24hrs?

Salty Lemon · Apr 10, 2019

Softpaws said:
How did you lose everything in 24hrs?

I basically put a bottle of nitrifying bacteria in the tank and I misread the directions. I thought once the bacteria was in there, I could keep adding fish. I thought I could skip the whole cycling process. I added a few fish here and there over a few weeks. Then I noticed that my star fish was barely hanging onto the side of the tank. I tested the water and the nitrate levels were dark red. I did a huge water change, but it wasn't enough and it was too late. I lost everything right away. I was new to the hobby and couldn't bring it back. The only things that survived were a few hermit crabs. I read everything now and don't assume anything.