If you could start again, you would....?

briancarterkc · Apr 13, 2016

Just buy the right equipment the first time. I have so many "cheap" components collecting dust because I tried to save money, then wound up buying the right equipment later.

tomstrange · Apr 13, 2016

I would start with the smaller fish first... my first were a 5" sailfin tang, a 4" vlamangi and a 4" naso... they tormented anything I put in there until they died. Then I added two diamond gobies... they are the gobies from hell creating miniature mountains of sand everywhere and tormenting any coral I had on the sandbed. So that's where I am now... 5 fish in a 260 gallon tank. I might relocate soon so I might have to tear it down, rehouse them and start over.

Bruce Burnett · Apr 13, 2016

if money was no object! Buy a low iron euro braced tank that would go across entire 10 Ft wall 36" deep and 24" tall max. Have a large sump and all equipment in the garage with a refugium and a large ATS. Use 2 needle wheel skimmers each rated for twice the water volume. Purchase enough led lighting with some T-5 supplement. 2 return pumps, controller. I like to have about 10 times water volume through sump and at least 60 times water movement from wave pumps in tank that is where I am on my 300 gallon system. A large kalk stirrer and an ato tank to hold enough water for two weeks with ato. Battery backup. Use my existing rock plus more. I would let it sit, filled with water, and keep adjusting rock until it is how I like it. I would predrill the rock with a lot of holes for frag plugs before I put in tank. I would then let the coralline algae grow before I add coral or fish. During this time if anything grows that I don't want I can then remove before corals are encrusted. I would only buy non aggressive reef safe fish. And then have sections of tank for different types of coral. I would buy mostly smaller wave pumps with maybe two large ones. I would have two quarantine tanks one for corals and one for fish and of coarse dip fish and corals before quarantine. I am sure I left stuff out. Not giving brand names as if this ever became true what is available then might be different then now.

dbl · Apr 13, 2016

Let's face it, there is likely something all of us would have done differently. But we all learn by our own experiences and those of others sharing in a thread just like this one. It's how we grow as hobbiests. Besides, that's why they created upgrades!

In my own case I would have figured out a way to get a drain under the display for water changes. I'm on a slab, so it would have been difficult, and expensive, but worth it in the long run. What most of you call basements, we call a water table in these parts!

Great thread OP...lots of great information for beginners and those thinking upgrade.

Aaron4890 · Apr 13, 2016

I would not have bothered getting a protein skimmer for my 10 gallon reef.

pelphrey · Apr 13, 2016

Gone bigger to begin with. I started a 27 gallon cube 6-7 months ago and now I'm looking to upgrade to a 120-150.

john.m.cole3 · Apr 13, 2016

Bruce Burnett said:
if money was no object! Buy a low iron euro braced tank that would go across entire 10 Ft wall 36" deep and 24" tall max. Have a large sump and all equipment in the garage with a refugium and a large ATS. Use 2 needle wheel skimmers each rated for twice the water volume. Purchase enough led lighting with some T-5 supplement. 2 return pumps, controller. I like to have about 10 times water volume through sump and at least 60 times water movement from wave pumps in tank that is where I am on my 300 gallon system. A large kalk stirrer and an ato tank to hold enough water for two weeks with ato. Battery backup. Use my existing rock plus more. I would let it sit, filled with water, and keep adjusting rock until it is how I like it. I would predrill the rock with a lot of holes for frag plugs before I put in tank. I would then let the coralline algae grow before I add coral or fish. During this time if anything grows that I don't want I can then remove before corals are encrusted. I would only buy non aggressive reef safe fish. And then have sections of tank for different types of coral. I would buy mostly smaller wave pumps with maybe two large ones. I would have two quarantine tanks one for corals and one for fish and of coarse dip fish and corals before quarantine. I am sure I left stuff out. Not giving brand names as if this ever became true what is available then might be different then now.

Oh My GOSH... you nailed it!!! That's what an experienced reefer would do for sure

These are the thoughts that run through my head ALL THE TIME!

zoomonster · Apr 13, 2016

There's a fairly common syndrome... no matter what size tank you get you'll, not so long thereafter, wish you had of gone bigger. I have had various sizes over the years and got a 200g this time. Already wishing I had of gone 240-400. The 6ft length is good but I wish I had of at least gone with more than 24"W and maybe a little shallower than 27"h.

ou12004 · Apr 13, 2016

I would have placed my corals differently, now that they have grown from frags to colonies, the shape and height is not correct for where they are. I would have also started with T-5's and LEDs. Also I wish I would have had Cadlights cut standard American sized return holes so I could have changed the terrible plumbing on it.

Bruce Burnett · Apr 14, 2016

zoomonster said:
There's a fairly common syndrome... no matter what size tank you get you'll, not so long thereafter, wish you had of gone bigger. I have had various sizes over the years and got a 200g this time. Already wishing I had of gone 240-400. The 6ft length is good but I wish I had of at least gone with more than 24"W and maybe a little shallower than 27"h.

I am currently 6' x 30" x 27" tall and I can just barely reach the bottom. So 24" tall is just right. I think an 8 foot long tank is better. By not having the equipment under the stand it can be shorter and not have to work from a ladder just a good step stool.

Bruce Burnett · Apr 14, 2016

Aaron4890 said:
I would not have bothered getting a protein skimmer for my 10 gallon reef.

I agree a 10 gallon just 50% weekly water changes no need to add any kind of supplements, just food. When you get around 100 gallons that gets expensive.

Bruce Burnett · Apr 14, 2016

dbl said:
Let's face it, there is likely something all of us would have done differently. But we all learn by our own experiences and those of others sharing in a thread just like this one. It's how we grow as hobbiests. Besides, that's why they created upgrades!

In my own case I would have figured out a way to get a drain under the display for water changes. I'm on a slab, so it would have been difficult, and expensive, but worth it in the long run. What most of you call basements, we call a water table in these parts!

Great thread OP...lots of great information for beginners and those thinking upgrade.

I seen your in Florida yup most of the state is not much above sea level. Not many homes near the west coast have basments either.

roryb24 · Apr 14, 2016

Bigger isn't always better. I Had a much larger tank in the past and I downgraded because I wanted the smaller forum factor and less maintenance. I always buy the best equipment possible within reason of good quality because if you don't you will regret it and end up buying it later and wasting money. Buy Once Cry Once. Just find something that you are happy with and that fits you.

Bruce Burnett · Apr 14, 2016

roryb24 said:
Bigger isn't always better. I Had a much larger tank in the past and I downgraded because I wanted the smaller forum factor and less maintenance. I always buy the best equipment possible within reason of good quality because if you don't you will regret it and end up buying it later and wasting money. Buy Once Cry Once. Just find something that you are happy with and that fits you.

No bigger is not always better everything cost more and requires a bit more time. Bigger is always harder to break down and move. I have the time as I am not able to work so money is the thing in the way. I don't plan on moving ever again, getting to old to go through that again. If you have been in the hobby long enough equipment what once was considered top line does not stay that way so you upgrade.

Fran W · Apr 14, 2016

Besides buying good equipment the first time I would definitly have researched what the livestock needs and if I could provide it. Instead of buying what looks cool, and watching it wither away. Better husbandry for sure.

TCFletch · Apr 14, 2016

I'd buy the biggest and the best protein skimmer ever made. And get the highest quality LEDs so I could throw away my MH's.

garra671 · Apr 14, 2016

As much as I enjoy the aquarium that I built (buying everything seperatly, getting the tank drilled; setting it all up). It's a nice achievement to know you did all of that. But if I could change something it would be all of that; I would of gone with a Red Sea system, so everything just worked out of the box and I could tweak it as I see fit, and then just focus more on my aquascape.

NanaReefer · Apr 14, 2016

If I could start over again? I would have bought a much bigger and easier accessible stand.

Lynn52 · Apr 14, 2016

I would have figured out how I was going to get my sump into my stand before I built, plumbed and filled the tank. My stand looks good and is very sturdy but left no way to get a 55 gallon into the stand. Ended up using a 29 and the 55 sits in the shed empty.