Restarted...how to be successful this time around

[clown and friends]

I moved apartments recently and was planning on moving everything with me. However, I started with live rock (recommended by a lfs I no longer go to) and it was a source of constant problems. Bubble algae, unID'd macroalgae that was impossible to get off rocks, aiptasia etc. You name it, this rock had it. I decided to take the move as an opportunity for a complete reset to rid myself of these headaches. I'm friends with the LFS manager who allowed me to keep my fish an some corals I wanted to keep at the shop while the new dry rock cycles. I have learned a lot in the 2 years of what to avoid and am confident I will do even better this time around. Already planning on total QT of fish and dipping corals and probably even removing from plugs to avoid introducing unwanted pests but I wanna hear from you all on what has made your tank successful. Hit me with advice on what to avoid doing to **** up my second chance at a tank!

 

[dankaqua]

Looking at your build thread, seems like you are making good progress in building your reefing skills! All I could add to that would be to think about your sand depth. Long term, deep sand beds can be problematic (I did say "can be"). I'd go with a max of 1/2". I didn't notice any info about your RODI... hope you have that well setup. And testing is a major facet to reefing... I'd recommend the Hanna series. To bump things up a notch, you might want to consider adding on to your Apex gear.
Qapla'!

 

[piranhaman00]

Most people would actually recommend starting with live rock, even with risk to pests, most of which are easy to rid during the first months. If you only have dry rock you are going to run into different problems, dinos being one usually seen and probably the most difficult to deal with, although very treatable.

 

[gotmesalty77]

I moved apartments recently and was planning on moving everything with me. However, I started with live rock (recommended by a lfs I no longer go to) and it was a source of constant problems. Bubble algae, unID'd macroalgae that was impossible to get off rocks, aiptasia etc. You name it, this rock had it. I decided to take the move as an opportunity for a complete reset to rid myself of these headaches. I'm friends with the LFS manager who allowed me to keep my fish an some corals I wanted to keep at the shop while the new dry rock cycles. I have learned a lot in the 2 years of what to avoid and am confident I will do even better this time around. Already planning on total QT of fish and dipping corals and probably even removing from plugs to avoid introducing unwanted pests but I wanna hear from you all on what has made your tank successful. Hit me with advice on what to avoid doing to **** up my second chance at a tank!

I would say that take your time and thing before adding any chemicals or really anything into the tank. When you do make sure you document that what you have added some where. This can be vital later when your trying to figure out what you did right or what it was that you did very wrong. Saves a lot of head aches.

 

[clown and friends]

Looking at your build thread, seems like you are making good progress in building your reefing skills! All I could add to that would be to think about your sand depth. Long term, deep sand beds can be problematic (I did say "can be"). I'd go with a max of 1/2". I didn't notice any info about your RODI... hope you have that well setup. And testing is a major facet to reefing... I'd recommend the Hanna series. To bump things up a notch, you might want to consider adding on to your Apex gear.
Qapla'!

I do have an RO/DI so no worries there. I actually agree about sand depth and did 1 less bag this time so it is not so deep this time! I ordered a hanna ULR phosphate this time around and have red sea pro for the rest does that sound good? What would you recommend adding to the apex out of curiosity?

Most people would actually recommend starting with live rock, even with risk to pests, most of which are easy to rid during the first months. If you only have dry rock you are going to run into different problems, dinos being one usually seen and probably the most difficult to deal with, although very treatable.

I did deal with dinos with my LR too so I am prepared when or if they show up again this time. I used one piece of LR from my old set up that was an island by itself and was unaffected by the algae infestation so hopefully that helps kick start the other rocks turning purple and such!