Absolute truths for beginner reefkeepers

[dtiedke]

I thought I would start a thread to help upcoming newbies (myself included) by listing some funny/sad/frustrating facts I learned during the first year of my first SW tank:


1) You will NOT be able to remove most damsels with anything more than ZERO rocks in your tank, regardless of rock sizes.

2) Two 250 watt Metal Halides in a closed hood with no vents can raise the temperature of 150 gallons 12 degrees in 2 hours....oh and the fish don't like that....

3) Xenia, while kinda cool looking all pulsing and waving at you, is actually the spawn of satan....and wear nose plugs when ripping it out by the buckets after only two weeks....

4) When you see that a little sand has gotten onto your clams mantle...DO NOT try and brush it away with your finger.... 8O

Anyone else care to add to this list....???

 

[Anonymous]

:lol:

5) never attempt to thumb wrestle your maroon clown. he will always win fins down. :wink:

 

[ReefRian]

Do not, I repeat, do not freak out or get frustrated if you add sand to your tank and it gets cloudy. This is normal and after a few days to a week the sand particles will develop enough bacteria to bring the sand to the bottom. Everyone goes through this, and it's nothing to worry about.

Be gentle when moving corals. You don't want to hurt them and you don't want them to hurt you!

Rian

 

[DOGMAI]

6. Dont forget where your erchin is while cleaning or rearanging your tank.

 

[MiNdErAsR]

Murphy's Law applies every damned time!

:roll:

 

[Anonymous]

dont try to do it cheap the first time, you will have to upgrade later.
and dont try to pull out a bristle worm with your hands.

 

[Anonymous]

You can never, ever, ever make your live rock look the same way twice. If you really like the way it looks don't touch it.

Is some can leak, it will.

 

[highrpm]

Always go for a reef ready tank vs. hang on overflows. Like previously stated, don't go cheap, you will spend more in the end, and this is a hard one to redo later down the road.

 

[wade1]

And remember to read! Here's a good starting place:

http://www.reefs.org/library/newbieguide.htm

Wade

 

[ChrisRD]

Lots of good comments so far. Here's some others that come to mind...

-There is more than one "right" way to do it - many approaches to reefkeeping have worked/do work. It really boils down to what you're trying to accomplish and what you're willing to do for maintenance.

-Don't stress yourself out over making the "ultimate" equipment purchase (see previous comment) - there's lots of decent stuff out there that will get the job done.

-Take everything you read online with a grain of salt - there's as much bad information out there as good.... :wink:

 

[Mogo]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, or you will waken Mr. Murphy and his laws.

 

[investigator1]

Never try to grab your lights after they kinda fall into the water.

(personal experience)

 

[Entacmaea]

The price premium on propagated corals or fish is more than worth it.

Buy Captive Raised!!

 

[MarkO1]

Take your estimated budget and multiply it by 3 to get your actual expenses. :lol:
_________________
g13 diesel pics

 

[dtiedke]

dont try to do it cheap the first time, you will have to upgrade later.

Yea, I learned that one early on.....BTW...I just ordered my AquaController II Deluxe Package and the Korallin Calcium Reactor Delux package from Marine Depot...NOT CHEAP 8O 8O 8O

Dave

 

[fishfanatic2]

Don't forget where a lion fish or trigger is when in the tank!

 

[Anonymous]

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Never try to grab your lights after they kinda fall into the water.

(personal experience)

LOULE!!!! Hey, a little tip, gator, after you get enough juice, you start to LIKE it. :twisted: (Much like a good spanking.)

 

[Anonymous]

Swear on a stack of bibles that you will not buy a Rio pump.

 

[DOGMAI]

Rio Pump or Powerhead RedFishBlueFish??

 

[fishfanatic2]

HEY!!!! I have a Rio that works well :lol: