IF you had to start over
- Thread starter snowmansnow
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I would have made the progression from softies etc (early in the hobby) to SPS etc (now) much more slowly, and with better planning. I bought some corals that I don't really want at this point, as I need the real estate for better pieces... and that would have also allowed me to place them with a purpose rather than just where they would fit.
I guess that's what upgrades are for... I will definitely be selling some colonies when I make the move.
I guess that's what upgrades are for... I will definitely be selling some colonies when I make the move.
I would buy a bigger tank with a nice large stand. I would also spend time on the stand rather than rushing to set up the tank. I would mount appropriate power receptacles inside it so that I limit the cables. Also, would find a tub that fits the bottom as a drip pan. Also, I would move it farther away from the wall. I set mine up with only about 4" of room behind.
I am starting out brand new. Never had a tank before. Reading this thread has actually really helped me out! I am getting a RedSea Max 250 and I am totally pumped. I wonder, could you give me a reason why you wouldn't go with live rock for those that said that? I thought live rock acted as a filter and was a good biological thing to do. Anyway, I love this ARC and am learning soooo much. Can't wait to get my tank rolling.
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Well, I have done this already when I went from a 90g to a 125g.
Biggest changes: 2 dedicated 20amp circuits with GFCI outlets.
Put it in the wall with rear access for maintenance. Put a sink back there
(Keeps my house plumbing from getting clogged up.)
Now I am moving from 125g to 220g. The 125g was not rr. This one will be
Also, I will def. Be adding an ATO. Another good idea would be,
To slope the floor and put a drain, but unfortunately I won't be doing that.
Biggest changes: 2 dedicated 20amp circuits with GFCI outlets.
Put it in the wall with rear access for maintenance. Put a sink back there
(Keeps my house plumbing from getting clogged up.)
Now I am moving from 125g to 220g. The 125g was not rr. This one will be
Also, I will def. Be adding an ATO. Another good idea would be,
To slope the floor and put a drain, but unfortunately I won't be doing that.
Live Rock refers to rock with bacteria and other critters living on it. "Other" can be a problem. Starting with dry rock and populating it with bacteria turns it into Live Rock. By starting with dry rock you don't introduce unwanted pests in your tank. Live rock just looks like wet rock, but it can have an amazing variety of critters, some good, some bad, living within.
I would start with Bulk Reef Supply "Pukani" rock. It is much less dense than Marco rock (another popular dry rock you get online), so pound for pound it is a better buy. It has a more open structure that makes it easier to rod, zip tie and cement into structures.
Seriously, one thing I would have done differently is thought through my lighting choices better. I bought an all-in-one HQI/T5 fixture from Current USA, and while not a bad unit, I soon went to separates. Could have saved a lot of $ if I had thought that through a bit longer.
Also, I would have used an open aquascape instead of the reef wall I built the first time as well.
Also, I would have used an open aquascape instead of the reef wall I built the first time as well.
And thanks to threads like these I've adjusted my budget spreadsheet to include Pukani rock from BRS and decided to go with less rather than more rock in my tank. I'm aiming for a 120gal tank but may only pick up 100lbs of rock. I figure if I need more I can buy some locally from a sponsor to fill it out. The Pukani rock is exactly what I envisioned but didn't think I could afford and the open scapes I've seen look VERY nice. Now if I could only find a good black sand that sand-sifters should be able to handle!
i would start out with a bigger tank.. like 120+, i would of filled with dead sand, and dead rock, put the rock in and aquascape it and secure it and make it look nice. the put sand in and fill with fresh saltwater.. then let it cycle.. and boost that process up as well... but still letting it cycle...
then i would start with all the fish i want first and then start adding corals and anemones
then i would start with all the fish i want first and then start adding corals and anemones
A rock wall really limits flow in a tank, IMO. Combine that with larger grown out corals and you can have the makings of a disaster with Acroporas (RTN/STN). I think that is what happened in my 210 before I set up the 300 with an open aquascape. Didn't know any better the first time.
i would have kept my 90 gallon 
i had it set up as a planted cichlid tank, and just kept losing fry in the overflow...
i thought "ah, i am never going to set it up as salt" so it went... sigh...
I would have done a LOT more research. And even though i got a great deal on my saltwater tank, i probably would have passed it up and waited till i knew what i was doing.
i had it set up as a planted cichlid tank, and just kept losing fry in the overflow... i thought "ah, i am never going to set it up as salt" so it went... sigh...
I would have done a LOT more research. And even though i got a great deal on my saltwater tank, i probably would have passed it up and waited till i knew what i was doing.
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Are your tanks hard to access from the front? I read that everyone would keep it back from the wall.... Any other tips?
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