What do you wish you had done differently?

[starypotter]

Hi everyone,
I have unfortunately found myself in the position where I need to get a new glass box. So I'll be needing to empty out my current 75, and get a new one up and running. I'm trying to take the good in this situation to get to do things I only learned about after I set up my current scape.

For example, I saw Ron Reefman's use of putting the rocks on top of elevated egg crate in order to have the space under the rocks and above the sand to help prevent any cave in issues, and provide more sand bed space.

So what tips and tricks do you wish you'd done differently, or what things have you done that you really like?

 

[Oscaror]

Hi everyone,
I have unfortunately found myself in the position where I need to get a new glass box. So I'll be needing to empty out my current 75, and get a new one up and running. I'm trying to take the good in this situation to get to do things I only learned about after I set up my current scape.

For example, I saw Ron Reefman's use of putting the rocks on top of elevated egg crate in order to have the space under the rocks and above the sand to help prevent any cave in issues, and provide more sand bed space.

So what tips and tricks do you wish you'd done differently, or what things have you done that you really like?

Not cheaping out on equipment and not rushing the process

 

[starypotter]

Not cheaping out on equipment and not rushing the process

That's good information for people how are starting out. Luckily I'm past that part of the process and am just getting a chance to redo my aquascape.

 

[NY_Caveman]

I wish I had built my own stand. The stock JBJ stand I have can hold the weight, but a good fall into it might bring the whole thing over. I am not handy at all, so not sure that would make me feel any better actually. I have looked into buying a stand and although it would not be a fun job, I may just replace it at some point.

 

[SPR1968]

I wish I taken more time to sort out the wiring! Lol

When I built my tank I didn’t know what I was doing, so it’s all very clean and tidy, well until you look around the back

 

[starypotter]

I wish I had built my own stand. The stock JBJ stand I have can hold the weight, but a good fall into it might bring the whole thing over. I am not handy at all, so not sure that would make me feel any better actually. I have looked into buying a stand and although it would not be a fun job, I may just replace it at some point.

That sounds scary, that's one of the reasons I built my stand, the metal petco one just wobbled whenever I walked by.

 

[starypotter]

I wish I taken more time to sort out the wiring! Lol

When I built my tank I didn’t know what I was doing, so it’s all very clean and tidy, well until you look around the back

I understand that, my wiring was a mess. It still would be if my mom didn't get sick of looking at it in the cabinet and fix it herself.

 

[starypotter]

What sort of inside the tank things do you wish you had done differently? In terms of rock structure, stability, design?

 

[SPR1968]

What sort of inside the tank things do you wish you had done differently? In terms of rock structure, stability, design?

Nothing really to be honest, apart from building the rock work up a little , in my system I haven’t changed the initial design to much as I did a lot of reading up before I started it to get it how I wanted.

One of the keys to keeping a reef is stability as you mention, and I try and keep everything very stable with auto dosing etc.

You mentioned your aqua scape before, and if your looking for new ideas etc try searching under something like ‘modern reef aquascapes’ and loads of pictures come up.

Or come up with some designs and post pictures and we’ll decide for you! Lol

 

[starypotter]

Nothing really to be honest, apart from building the rock work up a little , in my system I haven’t changed the initial design to much as I did a lot of reading up before I started it to get it how I wanted.

One of the keys to keeping a reef is stability as you mention, and I try and keep everything very stable with auto dosing etc.

You mentioned your aqua scape before, and if your looking for new ideas etc try searching under something like ‘modern reef aquascapes’ and loads of pictures come up.

Or come up with some designs and post pictures and we’ll decide for you! Lol

I mentioned that before yes, I'm looking for tips and other little tricks and things in terms of aquascaping that's why I put it in the aquascaping forum and mentioned above about the egg crate. I guess that I didn't phrase my question very well, or emphasize what I was looking for properly but I'm sure many of these tips would be helpful to others too. I'm mostly looking for those weird things you might not have thought of, and less of 'keys to reef keeping' though they're always appreciated.

I'm just trying to take advantage of having to transfer my stuff from one glass box to another because for example right now my rock work isn't very stable, so I wouldn't be able to get anything that does too much sand burying. But now that it has to be torn apart again, I could take that into account and build my rock so that it won't fall over from sand dwelling critters.

 

[NY_Caveman]

What sort of inside the tank things do you wish you had done differently? In terms of rock structure, stability, design?

Same as Shaun. Very happy with the inside. Most of my issues are on the outside.

 

[MamaLovesHerReefTank]

I mentioned that before yes, I'm looking for tips and other little tricks and things in terms of aquascaping that's why I put it in the aquascaping forum and mentioned above about the egg crate. I guess that I didn't phrase my question very well, or emphasize what I was looking for properly but I'm sure many of these tips would be helpful to others too. I'm mostly looking for those weird things you might not have thought of, and less of 'keys to reef keeping' though they're always appreciated.

I'm just trying to take advantage of having to transfer my stuff from one glass box to another because for example right now my rock work isn't very stable, so I wouldn't be able to get anything that does too much sand burying. But now that it has to be torn apart again, I could take that into account and build my rock so that it won't fall over from sand dwelling critters.

Personally, I don't like the idea of using egg crate as detritus can and will build up in it. Add your scape before adding sand. There are ways to make your scape more stable. I like using dry rock but that can add considerable more time to the cycling. I started with my base and went from there. I tried to make each rock fit seamlessly. Like it grew that way. I turned it around so each side "works". Once I was happy, I used gorilla glue gel wherever one rock touched the other. That gave me an initial hold. I then used aquascape putty and worked it into the cracks and crevices. I can now pick up the whole thing to place it in my tank. If you use the aquascape putty, keep some sand or small rock rubble handy to cover up the putty. You can push it right into the putty while it's still soft.

If you need ideas, check out this thread https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/tips-and-tricks-on-creating-amazing-aquascapes.97209/ Look at all the different scapes and see which ones you like. In the end, you will be the one looking at it and maintaining it. I like my glass clean on all sides so I make sure to leave enough room to get my hand in there to clean it. Make sure you have hiding spots and sleeping spots for your fish. The safer they feel, the better your tank.

 

[Waters]

I wish I would have not used the egg crate under the rock structures. As the sand blows around and thins out due to water changes, the egg crate becomes exposed constantly. I would remove it if I could.