If you were starting over what would you do different?

[candcreef]

This is an awesome thread...I actually just recently sold my old system (220g + 2-30g rimless tanks) due to a move....I just recently set up a new 175g system...everything that worried me or annoyed me about my old system I changed on my new one....for example:

1. Always have a emergency drain...
2. Use dry rock and concrete together....
3. Use unions in plumbing for easy maintenance...
4. Research, research, research equipment before being purchased....

 

[trido]

I would have QT'd and dipped my corals better.

 

[NanaReefer]

Ask about those corals that are considered invasive! Ya know the ones that can over take any Nascar! <sigh>

 

[Vidofner]

Use steel frame instead of aluminum for my stand
So i can sleep more comfortable at night. My current stand was built by my father who's an interior architecht so he know what he's doing. But i'd still like it better if it was steel.
Use real live rock instead of fake
the fake is of great quality but it can't create those exciting forms that real can. Also fake tend to be flatter which makes my reef pretty flat.
Put my overflow in a corner or at the short side
Now it feels like the overflow steals so much space that could be utilized for aquascaping
Use LED+T5 combo instead of just LED
I believe my light would be better if i had a combo of the two instead of just pure LED.

Besides these four things there are some minor adjustments i would do like: use zeovit and use a stronger RO unit

 

[Tradewinds]

- Acid/bleach all dry rock.
- Never again get a rimless tank (unless nano/pico)
- Never again get a tank with an over sized overflow box

Hi Lucas,

I have never owned a rimless tank, but love the look. I would be interested in hearing why you dislike them.

 

[jokervueboi]

1. Join R2R before starting SW tank
2. Have a plan of what I want in the tank
3. make sure my plan is reasonable (tank inhabitants are compatible)
4. Remember this hobby is a stress reliever not a cause of stress.

 

[blue.flyzz]

Just wanting to see what comes up. Im hearing things that have me questioning my way of thinking like: No sand or cheato in the sump/fuge because its more trouble then its worth. Just fill the sump with rubble which would be great with me.

No one has touched aslmx's first point. I'm upgrading my 75 to a 125 and a DIY sump/refugium from a 55 gallon tank. This is my first fuge and have read so much on how to stock it and there are 100 different opinions. I was planning on a DSB and about 1-2 pounds of rubble, but so confused over what algae to add. Help anyone?

 

[aslmx]

No one has touched aslmx's first point. I'm upgrading my 75 to a 125 and a DIY sump/refugium from a 55 gallon tank. This is my first fuge and have read so much on how to stock it and there are 100 different opinions. I was planning on a DSB and about 1-2 pounds of rubble, but so confused over what algae to add. Help anyone?

yea but this has turned out pretty cool so lets run with it. I would like to hear points on slower returns and no sand or algae in the sump.

 

[goodtimes]

I would save up for the tank I really want. The tank itself is just a fraction of what everything cost and I regret purchasing a standard tank.

 

[Tradewinds]

yea but this has turned out pretty cool so lets run with it. I would like to hear points on slower returns and no sand or algae in the sump.

I removed the sand and rubble from my sump as it was a detritus sink. Without the rubble and sand in the sump it is quick and easy to clean each time I do a water change. I could have added filter socks to trap the detritus, but they need to be cleaned every couple of days.

 

[aslmx]

I removed the sand and rubble from my sump as it was a detritus sink. Without the rubble and sand in the sump it is quick and easy to clean each time I do a water change. I could have added filter socks to trap the detritus, but they need to be cleaned every couple of days.

so your sump just houses the Skimmer...interesting

 

[Railcar79]

Mine has my heater Skimmer biopellets, return and a filter pad

 

[creefer]

Most of what I would do if starting over was stated, but here's my list.

1. Reasearch all equipment prior to purchase.
2. Go as big as possible for the physical environment in which your tank will be located.
3. Make a custom stand, from whatever material you choose, to allow for the largest sump possible. Use either magnetic doors, or a large single sliding door for access to the sump to keep maintenance easy.
4. Line the bottom of the stand with seam welded acrylic to contain spills and any potential flooding and use an Apex with the water alarm if you do flood so you don't cause damage to the house.
5. Prior to getting anything, determine what livestock you plan to keep such that you design the system for its intended inhabitants. For me....this item on the list is big. I recently took several months preparing my system for fish that I always wanted but at a noob, didn't set my system up for it.
6. Design the sump as big as possible to allow for expansion, additional equipment, and ease of cleaning. Again, this was a big item for me.
7. Acid wash dry rock and seed with a small piece of LR from a trusted local reefer.
8. Don't put sand or LR rubble in the sump. It's a pain to clean and leads to disasterous problems down the road.
9. This is contentious among reefers, but I would design the sump to allow for multiple filter socks that can easily be swapped and cleaned and keep at least one set of extra socks on hand plus one additional.
10. Keep a section of the stand dry for use as an electrical cabinet for all the necessary power and control cables..
11. Cable management system for the power and control cables in the dry section of the stand.

I'm planning and upgrade now and the size will not be much greater than I have now but it will be as big as I can go given the environment. The above are keys to my upgrade planning.

 

[aslmx]

I'm liking the idea with the sump with no sand or rock but I can not stand filter socks. Would that be a must in a sump this way.

 

[whixley101]

I would have done a Bare Bottom tank.

 

[creefer]

I'm liking the idea with the sump with no sand or rock but I can not stand filter socks. Would that be a must in a sump this way.

I don't think it would be a must. For me though, it really helps with catching detritus. I keep a powerhead in the sump to keep the detritus from building up, but without filter socks, it's got nowhere to go and the only way to remove it is with WC. While I do weekly 10% WC, I can't get all the detritus. I do a sump clean once monthly but really think the socks will help. I'm not thrilled about the idea of cleaning and changing them as regularly as is required but I think I'll get a healthier tank that way.

 

[aslmx]

I would have done a Bare Bottom tank.

I would probably consider it in a smaller tank but a 7' tank would have alot pf bare bottom plus I have some wrasses that like to bury up.

 

[Martyd]

Definitely go larger and put the tank on the main floor of the house. I bought a 3' 65g DSA mainly due to space considerations and economic reasons. It's a great tank, but I'm ready to upgrade and it's only been 9 months!

 

[Tradewinds]

so your sump just houses the Skimmer...interesting

My sump houses the skimmer, heater, carbon, GFO, and of course the return pump. From time to time I put chaeto in as well.

I'm liking the idea with the sump with no sand or rock but I can not stand filter socks. Would that be a must in a sump this way.

Not necessarily, I empty my sump during water changes and vacuum out the detritus. More efficient use of time IMO.

 

[casey187]

I have 3 filter socks and the only drain without one feeds into my refugium. I only have to wash the socks about twice a month. I still get a lot of build up in the sump with the socks so i could only imagine how mush there would be without. It literally takes 2 minutes to change the socks and throw them in the washing machine. that seems way easier than continuously cleaning the sump.