R2R Top Ten Rules for New Reefers

[Silverfish]

Hi fellow reefers,
Having a great convo about great advice for new reefers And I thought a list of top Ten do’s or Don’t ‘s Would b extremely useful.
Let me begin with one from Reefer Beam
Keep your hands out of the tank!

others are:
Be patient.
Don't chase parameters.

Lets get together to gather and vote on this list. It would be fun And could help many new Reefers.

Im sorry that I don’t hv this all planned out. It is very organic and I’m hoping that those that r more suited to do this will lead the way.

Thanks!

 

[fishguy242]

hi.do not use tap water
do use ground probes
research fish before buying
do not do anything in haste
DO USE R2R
thats a few from me !!!

 

[bevo5]

Patience should be 1-8 on any top 10 list.

 

[Silverfish]

Patience should be 1-8 on any top 10 list.

I agree but that would make for a pretty boring list
b patient
b patient
b patient

 

[BullyBee]

Don’t impulse buy...No Matter how cool the controller looks. Because I never do that.

 

[KrisReef]

Don't use API test kits to measure your cycle.
Read R2R threads to understand why,
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-official-sand-rinse-thread-aka-one-against-many.230281/
@brandon429

 

[Silverfish]

Don't use API test kits to measure your cycle.
Read R2R threads to understand why,
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-official-sand-rinse-thread-aka-one-against-many.230281/
@brandon429

Good one as well. It’s important to hv accurate readings or your Reefing blind!

 

[Silverfish]

I will gather them all based on entries and later do a numbered vote fir the list. number 1 through ten?
crunch the numbers then Voila! A top ten list created by members of R2R!

 

[Beam]

research fish before buying

this one is so so important.

 

[Beam]

I agree but that would make for a pretty boring list
b patient
b patient
b patient

love this one,

 

[smokin'reefer]

Taking pictures in RAW mode is a setting on your camera, nothing else. Sorry Mom.

 

[Birddog61]

Be prepaired for a large water change at all times

 

[hmmmmm]

Invest in an auto water change system, imagine the issues that could have been sorted over the years when life got in the way..

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Cool thread! Maybe we can narrow it down to 10 when this is done!!

 

[fishguy242]

Cool thread! Maybe we can narrow it down to 10 when this is done!!

correct that is op's plan

 

[Hydrored]

Invest in good equipment once instead of buy cheap and wishing you had spent it in the first place

 

[brmreefer]

1. Maintain *Stability*
2. Test Weekly - Know what is going on in the system
3. Have dedicated equipment for the reef tank to prevent introducing unwanted chemicals
4. Keep hands out of tank for personal safety and tank inhabitants safety
5. Patience
6. Slow Changes as needed
7. Research - Equipment and Livestock before buying
8. Keep the system simplified if possible
9. Don't stock too fast - add new inhabitants over time and allow system time to adjust for bioload
10. Less chemical treatment and strive for more Natural approaches to maintaining some system parameters (e.g. macroaglae)

These are not really in any particular priority except the top two. Stability and testing. I am sure there are plenty of other great ideas out there from other experienced reefers. Have fun and take care

 

[hawkbait]

4. Keep hands out of tank for personal safety and tank inhabitants safety

Why is this for personal safety? You gotta put you hands in occasionally?

 

[Auquanut]

Don't freak out! Often, knee jerk reactions to common issues cause more problems than they solve. Slow down, research, ask questions and then react in an informed methodical manner. Easier said than done.

 

[brmreefer]

Why is this for personal safety? You gotta put you hands in occasionally?

In the case of tanks that have Paly's in them, then the risk to personal safety is elevated due to palytoxin. Other cases that have inhabitants with sharp tooth eels than this would also apply. If thought out, I am sure there could be a couple other applicable scenarios. It is more of a blanket statement to cover those reefers with applicable tanks...nothing more.