How do you guys do it!

[Jenz]

Am 2 months in researching my tank, with 4 months before putting it all together. My original thoughts were as someone that has had multiple FW tanks, a marine would be not much different....how very wrong I am!
From varying opinions re what compromises a gd CUC, do you always put in fish first as a FOWLR and have them settle before trialling corals. Should corals only be started after the tank has been stable 6mths.
Books and written articles advise distances btwn coral placement yet on looking at the beautiful pics of reef tanks there seems a dense and close community giving that coral reef appearance.
My LFS stocks many blue linkia stars but what's written claims they starve and survival poor; they also push for sandsifters but again most info states they go the same way as the blue linkia. My planned sea cucumbers can potentially nuke an aquarium!!!
And that's once the tank has cycled, before that time its determing the water source as only have rain water tanks, purchasing appropriate lighting, skimmer, pump etc. There are so many choices out there.
Refugium setup I won't even go into :-/
How do you guys do it, obv through perserverence and patience and a lot of knock backs but I must say am glad I hvnt the tank together as am already rocking in the fetal position.
Anyhoo my copy of "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" arrived yday as cavalry, so will plan to look myself in a cupboard away from the kids and start reading...

 

[twilliard]

We do it with the utmost devotion to patients
There is a lot of trial and error when first starting.
Learn from the errors and succeed with what works

 

[kateater]

Lots of research, patience, and unfortunately trial and error. You never quit learning in this hobby.

 

[DracoKat]

along with the above.. lots and lots of questions!! I wouldn't have gotten far without the help of the amazing members of this site!

 

[dbl]

It can certainly be a little overwhelming getting started. But just continue your research and it will start to click. As to advice, one thing to keep in mind is that is you ask 10 people one question in this hobby, you'll get 12 answers!

If you haven't looked at the link below, it's a pretty good guide to getting started.

Hang in there and you'll be bragging about your beautiful tank before you know it.

http://reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[nwayne567]

Just make sure your tank is cycled, then slowly add a easy coral to take care of or a fish, and if they do well after a week or 2 add another coral or fish. Just do everything slowly. You will make mistakes but if you do everything slowly you can catch the mistakes before something bad happened. And don't loose sleep chasing the perfect numbers or temp.. And mainly have fun with it!

 

[Blitzie]

There are no easy answers, you are off on the correct path by researching first, both don't let the decisions paralyze you.

Look at equipment for example ask people what the best skimmer is and OMG You will get more answers than you knew there were skimmer models.
Ask the same about salt mixes and you get similar results. At the end of the day the best salt for you is whatever kind works for you.

Choose a plan, buy your equipment and trust the research you have done and continue to read and learn.

The best thing I ever read about a reef tank is that nothing good happens fast. Once you have water in your system watch it closely and make minor corrections.

Good luck

 

[Salty1962]

Allot of reading and a thousand questions, only dumb question is the one not asked, and trying to learn from everyone's experience. Then allot of trial and error and o yeah, buckets of frag plugs You're on the right path by taking your time and studying what you want to do instead of after. There are many highly experienced reefers on here that are more than willing to help you down the path. This is a great hobby!

 

[pelphrey]

I can only speak for myself but I've learned the hard way... Haven't had any tank failures but I've wasted a lot of money already on equipment I don't really need but this is how I learn best! Haha I started to piece together a build recently and have sold all of the equipment. Main reason as I was going to go pretty big but decided with life and small kids I should reconsider the tank size. I now know to get the tank first then equipment! Ha

 

[Quah]

"Am 2 months in researching my tank, with 4 months before putting it all together. My original thoughts were as someone that has had multiple FW tanks, a marine would be not much different....how very wrong I am!"
I researched and it took me a year to put it together - I knew it'd be different but they aren't very much different. Less stocking more parameter monitoring.

"From varying opinions re what compromises a gd CUC, do you always put in fish first as a FOWLR and have them settle before trialling corals. Should corals only be started after the tank has been stable 6mths."
If it is your first marine aquarium I wouldn't add corals until you are comfortable with keeping the salinity in check along with nitrates, nitrites, and ammonia shouldn't be a problem. CUC's vary between person to person depending on what they like - I prefer an all snail CUC with a cucumber.

"Books and written articles advise distances btwn coral placement yet on looking at the beautiful pics of reef tanks there seems a dense and close community giving that coral reef appearance."
A lot of the well stocked reef tanks are usually primarily SPS and SPS doesn't employ the large sweeper tentacles or chemical warfare (this can be overcome with frequent WC's and carbon) of other corals. Basically know how a particular coral defends itself, its growth pattern, and it's care requirements and you can determine its stocking density.

"My LFS stocks many blue linkia stars but what's written claims they starve and survival poor; they also push for sandsifters but again most info states they go the same way as the blue linkia. My planned sea cucumbers can potentially nuke an aquarium!!!"
Starfish are notoriously difficult to keep - believe what you read. Sand sifting gobies can thrive or perish depending on how they are cared for and how they are stocked. Look at the fish you want and research it. LFS need to sell fish to stay in business and some people kill fish on a regular basis and some keep theirs alive but a LFS has to cater to both types. Only certain sea cucumbers nuke tanks. All sea cucumbers have poison and can release it in different ways holothuria are usually safe provided appropriate care is taken. Sea apples are the "cuke nukes".

I read The Conscientious Marine Aquarist and it was very helpful. It does make it seem a lot more daunting than it really is. Initially it seems like a lot of info but just break it down and go from there. Here are some things I've learned the hard way:
1.) QT EVERYTHING that goes into the tank.
2.) Dry rock is cheaper and helps to keep a pest free aquarium.
3.) Don't skimp on equipment, buy quality equipment and it will pay off in the long run.
4.) Plan your aquarium from the ground up.
5.) Plan out an aquascape that allows flow through and around your rockwork.
6.) Understand the tank difficulty hierarchy and build accordingly. This goes something like FOWLR - Soft Corals - LPS - SPS.
7.) Understand the carbonate cycle.
8.) If there is a fish / coral / invertebrate that you must have in your aquarium build around it.
9.) Take it slow. If you weren't a patient person before venturing into the reef aquarium you will be if you stick with it.
10.) Lastly there are plateaus of mastery - don't give up.

Hope this helps and doesn't compound being overwhelmed.
-Quah

 

[Jenz]

Thank you everyone, and am definitely feeling a touch better than yday morn.
Quah thank you for your response; I will refer to it often

 

[Macdaddynick1]

Not sure if anyone mentioned it already but as long as you do your research before buying each specimen (takes 5 mins to google on your phone ) and make sure your tank can support it you'll be fine.

Try to keep top 8 parameters mentioned on this chart are somewhere within the acceptable range, try to minimize any swings in those parameters. (STABILITY, STABILITY , STABILITY) Provide your corals with enough light . Start off with softies, (shrooms and zoas) then move to cheaper LPS , after those are doing good, try out some monti caps. Make sure you dip and inspect all of the corals , don't let anything random into your tank.

 

[Pruett-nc]

One thing to add to other advice posted . You pointed out the lfs is selling a starfish that doesn't do well . Beware of that . Research the animal you want as you have done . Also youtube has alot of visual info . I know brs have some good videos on differnt topics also marine depot .

Welcome to the addiction.