What are your 'Live and Learn' examples and experiences?

[ChristineInMaryland]

There’s nothing wrong with hiring professionals when necessary. I’ve always been a DIY kind of girl and just asked some friends and family to help me move my tank from the garage onto the stand. It only moved about three feet before it got dropped.

Replacing the tank alone ended up costing more than the tank and stand originally had once I paid for delivery.

 

[Narideth]

There’s nothing wrong with hiring professionals when necessary. I’ve always been a DIY kind of girl and just asked some friends and family to help me move my tank from the garage onto the stand. It only moved about three feet before it got dropped.

Replacing the tank alone ended up costing more than the tank and stand originally had once I paid for delivery.

Oh noooo. This is like one of my all time fears, dropping a tank. Another reason why I keep my tanks small enough that I can carry them myself!

 

[Rusty_L_Shackleford]

Buy once, cry once. Go ahead and spend the money and get good gear the first time. Don't buy cheap crap you're going to just end up replacing down the road. Invest in stuff that will make maintenance simpler and easier. If maint is easy, you'll actually do it.

 

[meefsreef]

Don't try to build your own auto-top off. And in particular, don't build your own auto-top off and then add kalkwasser

 

[Joe.D]

Good advice here. I always cover the back part of my tank when my hands are in.

I actually got a piece of foam core at Home Depot and cut a piece a few inches longer than the tank and about 10” wide. I then cut out notches for the light arms and it overlaps the top of the tank maybe a 1/2” on the inside lip and the top leans against the wall. 2 of the fish that jumped went behind the tank and I couldn’t see them. This prevents anyone leaving the backside of the tank and going behind. The sides and front, you can see easily enough.