What are some things new (or old) reefers do that they should avoid trying?

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Buying cheap equipment

I wouldn't totally agree with you on that one. Everything with my tanks are cheap and so far so good. Except cheap LEDs for trying to grow coral... that's the one piece of equipment that I've had to replace multiple times. Now I use cheap LEDs in conjunction with a cheap T5 fixture.

 

[mindme]

I used ich simply as an example of something that makes a fish sick. I'm not claiming bacteria kill ich. Have you really never heard of probiotic bacteria that promote health though? That's some pretty basic science...

Oh sure, I'm a big fan of bacteria. I mean it's important to our immune systems that we are constantly exposed to different types of bacteria and virus, so that it gets stronger and builds up. I'm not the kind of person who thinks rubbing off the "germs" on your shopping cart is important. Germs are on it? Well let's see what they do. I rarely get sick as a result. Meanwhile I notice the people who are trying to kill everything are the same ones who seem to get sick more often.

But that's not the same kind of environment you get in an aquarium. In order for something to live, it has to have a food source. What you put in your tank is what you get, it's isolated. Basically it's social distanced. So if there are diseases in the water, it's because you put it in there.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

Things new reefers should avoid:

Buying high-end (overpriced) equipment
Diving in with overly complex setups (you don't need a 5 compartment sump with 4 reactors bro)
Starting out with dry rock + bottled gimmicks
Running ULN systems
Skipping QT or observation setups
Buying from any LFS that says they don't run copper in their livestock tanks
Advice from reefers who tell you only the newest gear will work
Excessive water changes
Using one giant heater
Using tap water
Petting lionfish
Being unprepared for the inevitable failures that you'll experience as you learn/grow in the hobby.
Chasing pH
CUC (yes, they are not necessary and often a waste of money)
....I have lots more, but that's it for now.

What's wrong with running one giant heater? I'm assuming risk of mechanical failure, but anything specific?

 

[mindme]

What's wrong with running one giant heater? I'm assuming risk of mechanical failure, but anything specific?

That's it. If you have 2, then you have a backup. Which depending on your tank and the temperature of your house, could be really important.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

That's it. If you have 2, then you have a backup. Which depending on your tank and the temperature of your house, could be really important.

Gotcha. That makes sense.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

I would tell a new reefer to avoid dosing equipment, reactors, UV, and ATS/Macroalgae. That is until the tank has some bio-load and water changes become ineffective at maintaining parameters.

 

[DavidinGA]

What's wrong with running one giant heater? I'm assuming risk of mechanical failure, but anything specific?

If/when the one giant heater fails it will fail in the on position and fry your tank.

With multiple small heaters, if/when one fails its not powerful enough on its own to fry your tank.

 

[\m/reefsnmetal\m/]

If/when the one giant heater fails it will fail in the on position and fry your tank.

With multiple small heaters, if/when one fails its not powerful enough on its own to fry your tank.

Man I can't believe that never clicked in my head. My one giant heater failed, almost nuked my tank, and I replaced it with another giant heater . I guess I know my next equipment purchase.