If you could redo something, what would it be?

[MbunaJohn]

1. Go bigger. Initial cost difference would have been insignificant and cost to upgrade will be much more...both in time and dollars. Started 75g and should have gone 120.

2. I bought a used acrylic all in one (seaclear systems II) thinking I could buff out scratches and would like the convenience of the all-in-one. It has turned out to be bad assumptions on both of those and I'm looking at an expensive and time-consuming upgrade as my only method of rectifying. If I could go back I'd still probably get a package system like a Red Sea reefer, PA crystalline, etc but definitely not an all-in-one where equipment options are extremely limited and underperform in most cases.

3. I would follow the rules and setup a good QT BEFORE going through the pains of losing all my fish and having to wait 3 months to restock instead of the other way around.

 

[tgp4274]

well I built my entire system includeing the tank from scratch..

one this I would def change would be the height of the stand to raise the tank for viewing and give me more room under the tank for my equment

 

[BigHildy53]

Like others I'd make my stand higher. Especially regretful since it's a custom stand. My next regret is purchasing a rimmed aquarium. The braces across the top and extra headache of attaching things to the rim.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

This isn't reef related but I really wish I had just gotten into planted tanks instead of adding more fish to my freshwater tank. Started with a Betta 1.5 years ago and added Corys...then added black mollies. Now I have an overstocked tank with high nitrates that I don't enjoy caring for. The reef tank is so much prettier and takes up so much more of my time that I don't have enough to allocate to the other tank.

 

[Scott.h]

I would not have bought animals, mostly an eel, that would grow too big for their tank. And now can't get them out or re home them.

 

[kyleflahardy]

Get a bigger tank from the get go. I got a small one because it was my first time.

 

[Steadyreef42]

My scape. I wish I would have planned on more spots for all these sps frags I've acquired

 

[prsnlty]

My scape. I wish I would have planned on more spots for all these sps frags I've acquired

Exactly why I wish I had used less rock LOL

 

[Scott.h]

Get a bigger tank from the get go. I got a small one because it was my first time.

Already did that. Twice lol.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I would not have bought animals, mostly an eel, that would grow too big for their tank. And now can't get them out or re home them.

This is one of my biggest fears in the hobby. It's like every week I see a blue tang in a 20g and someone says "oh he's just staying here until it gets too big for the tank." It's really not that easy to find someone to take over.

 

[Salty.Reefer]

I would have QTed my first fish. I got two clowns that got brook. It killed one but the other healed but I gave him back to the LFS to do a full fallow cleanse. That was like 5 months ago. Still just haven't found the perfect clowns again. I really liked my first pair but now I can find are sick looking baby clowns or over the top designers!

 

[Reef addict...]

If I could redo something... it would be going with my Biocube as opposed to just putting together my own system. I've replaced literally every piece of equipment that it came with, so all that money I thought I was saving by going with an AIO? Not so saved after all. And nowadays, the back chamber is just a nitrate factory - eight years of noobie reefkeeper mistakes trapped in the bottom of those chambers, inaccessible to gravel vacuums.

After that? I'd decrease the amount of live rock I purchased, and just generally exercise more patience to do things correctly the first time.

I couldn't agree more about the AIO! I to purchased a biocube 29 because I once saw one in a LFS and thought it looked so cool! But alas, the AIO is not really practical if you are going for a reef system! My $350 purchase has turned into what I can only describe as a very expensive science experiment. I have done the Steve's LED retro fit, 20 gal refugium and every other bell and whistle you can imagine. And it all looks kinda like a 1950s Sci Fi prop. I also agree with the aqua scape. I wish I would have really given some thought to flow, coral growing room and placement. The whole thing looks like a mess! ATO is out of a bucket next to my cheap( home depot) bathroom sink cabinet that houses it all. Sort of....lol

 

[Todd31]

Should not have bought a tank with a center overflow. Overflow takes up prime space and lighting area....

 

[john.m.cole3]

Next time I'll start the system with the microbubbling method, CO2 scrubber, and a controller