The Newbie Scams, Deceipt and Pitfalls Thread
- Thread starter d5332
- Start date
For a person looking to start a reef tank the correct way and monitor each expense dry rock is not all that bad, its actually ideal.
If I want a system that looks as natural as possible and that goes online as quickly as possible and the person can afford it then by all means drop $1,000 on real reef rock and your tank will look great.
For a person that wants to start a saltwater tank
learn to care for fish
learn about crap that grows that we dont want and learn how to control it
learn about lighting requirements for specific creatures
filtering requirements for specific creatures
Than going with a bare tank with decorations and a wet dry is fine, keep some fish, learn the ropes.
You take a newbie that drops $4k in tank and equipment and sooner rather than later that person exiting the hobby.
So the point of the rock topic is:
Dry rock will require some or all of the following: curing, seeding, cycling, etc
If you choose biological filtration by means of rocks than add enough to support the biological load that you demand of the biological filter.
Now for the moral of the post, dont go buying $11.00 per pound of rock without knowing what you are getting into, if you want to keep a yellow tang and a clown fish you do not need live rock.
If I want a system that looks as natural as possible and that goes online as quickly as possible and the person can afford it then by all means drop $1,000 on real reef rock and your tank will look great.
For a person that wants to start a saltwater tank
learn to care for fish
learn about crap that grows that we dont want and learn how to control it
learn about lighting requirements for specific creatures
filtering requirements for specific creatures
Than going with a bare tank with decorations and a wet dry is fine, keep some fish, learn the ropes.
You take a newbie that drops $4k in tank and equipment and sooner rather than later that person exiting the hobby.
So the point of the rock topic is:
Dry rock will require some or all of the following: curing, seeding, cycling, etc
If you choose biological filtration by means of rocks than add enough to support the biological load that you demand of the biological filter.
Now for the moral of the post, dont go buying $11.00 per pound of rock without knowing what you are getting into, if you want to keep a yellow tang and a clown fish you do not need live rock.
- Location
- Valley stream
Well if you know you are serious about keeping a tank and know where the tank will be staying permanently I would say get a fancy stand ... I regret not geting/ building a fancy stand from the jump to taking tank down with corals fish ect to put the new stand in place . The stand also allows you have room for future equipment or have a idea for plans .... Unless you mean geting tank ect and slowly buy everything on your list to then set the tank up
Yes but....
In order to determine if the hobby is meant for you people should start small and keep it simple.
Its an expensive hobby and done wrong it becomes an expensive, time consuming and frustrating hobby.
Would you not rather learn how it needs to be done, save up for the perfect furniture and size tank, plan it out and once you are have learned what you need to learn including the handling of rocks and decorations within the tank bammm go get fancy and buy that nice tank and stand.
In order to determine if the hobby is meant for you people should start small and keep it simple.
Its an expensive hobby and done wrong it becomes an expensive, time consuming and frustrating hobby.
Would you not rather learn how it needs to be done, save up for the perfect furniture and size tank, plan it out and once you are have learned what you need to learn including the handling of rocks and decorations within the tank bammm go get fancy and buy that nice tank and stand.
- Location
- Valley stream
Ok now I see where you are coming from start small and see if the Hobby is for you and if you like it save and get everything you wish to have since you learned your mistakes with your first tank set up
Yes, I think folks are misguided on their own, store clerks and even the industry.
Do you know how many feeder fish I killed when I was 10!!!
I recall wanting to clean my tank so I took all of my fish out, grabbed one of my the cooking pots in the kitchen, filled it with tap water and used it as a holding tank.
Once my 10 gallon tank was super clean I turned to the fish and they were all dead, live and learn.
Do you know how many feeder fish I killed when I was 10!!!
I recall wanting to clean my tank so I took all of my fish out, grabbed one of my the cooking pots in the kitchen, filled it with tap water and used it as a holding tank.
Once my 10 gallon tank was super clean I turned to the fish and they were all dead, live and learn.
SKIMMER FOR SALE
This thing is a monsterrrrrrrrrrrrr, it was skimming even before UPS got it off the truck, I had to hit it with my belt a bunch of times for it to come down. Seriously folks this is a a super duper skimming machine. It cost me $600, looking to get $500 for it.
Looking to sell it because I am going in a different direction.
often a SCAM, not always but often
Often times folks like to sell skimmers that have bad pumps and or impellers or some other damage or defect that under honest disclosure folks would simply not buy it because the seller should either be replacing the damaged parts or trashing it.
Only buy used skimmers if you know the brand, the model and know how to inspect a skimmer and again buy from a seller that will accept paypal payment as a merchant, not as a gift.
This thing is a monsterrrrrrrrrrrrr, it was skimming even before UPS got it off the truck, I had to hit it with my belt a bunch of times for it to come down. Seriously folks this is a a super duper skimming machine. It cost me $600, looking to get $500 for it.
Looking to sell it because I am going in a different direction.
often a SCAM, not always but often
Often times folks like to sell skimmers that have bad pumps and or impellers or some other damage or defect that under honest disclosure folks would simply not buy it because the seller should either be replacing the damaged parts or trashing it.
Only buy used skimmers if you know the brand, the model and know how to inspect a skimmer and again buy from a seller that will accept paypal payment as a merchant, not as a gift.
- Location
- Dingmans ferry PA
Deceipt - when someone makes 2 account to have one for serious posts and one for acting a fool and making dumb posts and threads just to satisfy their lack of attention at home on a educational site. Or they were thrown off this site for something else and act like a fool for revenge and again to satisfy their lack of attention at home
What makes you think that it's a guy? :scratch:
PITFALL
Not taking the time to setup the rock or decorations in the most optimal way both aesthetically pleasing and in a manner that facilitates ease of maintenance.
Too many of us have "re-aqua scaped" our tanks and it could have been avoided if we had taken our time when the tank was dry.
Not taking the time to setup the rock or decorations in the most optimal way both aesthetically pleasing and in a manner that facilitates ease of maintenance.
Too many of us have "re-aqua scaped" our tanks and it could have been avoided if we had taken our time when the tank was dry.
Another type of scam I seen and heard is when some people "help" you and then get your trust and see what type of person you are and how you live "$$$$$$" then ask you and many other people for a loan and don't have any intention to pay , unless you keep on top of them
- Location
- Old Bethpage
True, would only apply to aquarium hobbyist should they befriend folks at such a deep level that they would actually consider lending money.
I hear ya, if you have any other reefer pitfalls, scams or advice for newbies we would love to hear them.
I hear ya, if you have any other reefer pitfalls, scams or advice for newbies we would love to hear them.
Cash talks. Tired of the PayPal nonsense. Ever try selling something on Craig's? With the annoying scams requesting your address and PayPal info only to get f'd? Play safe and pay cash. You meet. Test equipment. Look all you want. Perhaps negotiate. Cash. Done.
I politely disagree with you.
Paypal affords you protection. Cash is only good for live goods because either way paypal does not cover you on live goods. If you buy a fish and it ends up having velvet it will not matter if you pay with cash or paypal.
Its not as simple to go to someone's house and test stuff. A failing ballast can be rigged to work right before the potential buyer shows up but may stop working a week after you take it home.
A chiller cannot be tested on the spot, it cannot be tested with a bucket of water and it cannot be tested with a bathtub of water.
FOLKS, STICK TO USING PAYPAL WHEN PURCHASING USED EQUIPMENT FROM STRANGERS AND BUY FROM PEOPLE THAT WILL ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR PURCHASE OF GOODS NOT AS GIFTS.
Paypal affords you protection. Cash is only good for live goods because either way paypal does not cover you on live goods. If you buy a fish and it ends up having velvet it will not matter if you pay with cash or paypal.
Its not as simple to go to someone's house and test stuff. A failing ballast can be rigged to work right before the potential buyer shows up but may stop working a week after you take it home.
A chiller cannot be tested on the spot, it cannot be tested with a bucket of water and it cannot be tested with a bathtub of water.
FOLKS, STICK TO USING PAYPAL WHEN PURCHASING USED EQUIPMENT FROM STRANGERS AND BUY FROM PEOPLE THAT WILL ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR PURCHASE OF GOODS NOT AS GIFTS.
If you are worried about being ripped off or scammed then buy new. If you are looking for deals and steals especially with the hefty price tags of equipment in this hobby, then that's the chance you take when buying used. Sometimes you meet honest people and you win. Sometimes you meet scumbags and you lose.
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