What would you have done differently?

F

Frogspawn

I am posting this to draw on the vast experience here at the MAS. I am embarking on this relatively new journey of mine into reef building and would like to know two things from those that wish to help my 215g project off to a good start.


1) What would you have done differently if you could (or did) change something for the better in your setup?

2) What is the best part(s) about your aquarium that you would not change?


These questions are more in reference to mechanical issues, ie. lighting, plumbing electric panels etc, with regard to a reef tank.


I am hoping to save myself some trouble and compile some of the best ideas into my new reef tank that is coming to life over the next few months.

All input is appreciated and I'm sure could answer questions for several new reef keepers.

Thanks,
 
I would of gotten an over sized skimmer(ASM G3) Instead of my asm g2.

I would never change my live rock 20% Fiji and 80% Marshal island. The marshal island rock is the best!
 
1. I would have bought a larger skimmer. The one I bought was the Natilist TE it said that it was good for 300g but with all the fish I have it is not big enuf.

2. The best part of my tank is the rock. The rock is the #1 thing that you will buy for your tank. Marshall Island rock is the best rock by far. This is not the only kind of rock I have just the main part. Buy the main portion of your rock then go find select rocks.
 
WIth the first tank (55g), the biggest issue was time. putting everything together too fast and not allowing the natural bacterias to grow to help stabalize the tank.
 
I would put a sheet of the pink insulation board under my tank to balance it better.

I would build a better lighting system, or go with a commercial fixture, instead of the Jethro'ed lighting I have now.


Things done right -
GFCI, dedicated 20 amp circuits. X10 automation on everything. Undersized skimmer and massive refuguim space.
 
I would have bought a bigger tank from the jumpstart and planned out my sump configuration to allow upgrading my skimmer etc. , later on. I would have also thought out how my second refugium's ties into my system a little better.


Cheers!
 
Eric,

I look at things at cost wise. It's nice to have all the expensive equipment but, then you need to take in a factor that everything is going to cost 3 or 4 times as much than a smaller tank. Phillip and I may have spent over $16,000 dollars for the 560 gal tank.

Here is my list:
1. Sand , there is a group buy going on and if you don't already have the sand, I would get at least 5 bags for the main display and 5 more bags for your refugium.
2. Refugium : there is a place at Tractor Supply Company in Lakeworth where you may want to get the 100 gal heavy duty rubbermaid. Things have changed since you last saw the tank.
3. Skimmer : Invest in a good skimmer. We have a myreefcreation skimmer which has a huge beckit injector. http://www.myreefcreation.com. If you do decide to go this route, Phillip and I can help you with this.
4. Auto top off: Invest in an auto top off by kent which cost $15.00
5. Ro Unit : If you don't already have one.
6. Ligthing: I would go with ice cap ballast. Save money on electricity.
7: Pump and powerhead : You should go with the tunze and some maxijet with modification to get the same output of the tunze.

That should keep you busy for awhile.
 
The one thing that I wish I had done up front; buy from a reputable lfs . I ended up buying my tank from Frank's Tanks. I was ripped off from a store in Irving. Make sure you know who you are doing business with. That by far will save you money in the long run.
 
there are 2 things I wish I'd have done differently.
1. I would've waited until I won the lotto to set up my tank :lol:
2. I wouldn't have bought the liverock I bought. I bought mostly reefbone which is dead liverock and just a little bit of fiji. It took forever to become liverock and I've had tons of algae problems on the rock. Also, I'd buy more powerheads. IMO, you can almost never have to much flow.
 
Take it slow. Let the tank mature and cycle correctly. It is very hard to wait and be patient. I learned the hard way & wont make that mistake again.

Make sure there is enough room under the tank for the fuge & all other items you intend to have. It is no fun working in a cramped space.

Just my 2 cents
 
I would have done EVERYTHING differently. More research, more planning, etc. Here are a few of the more important items:

1. Buy a reef-ready tank.
2. Make sure cabinet (stand) doesn't have a center brace in the back. It drastically limits the size of a sump that will fit.
3. Make sure the canopy is tall enough for any lights you may want to add in the future.
4. Buy the right lights from the beginning.
5. Buy the right filtration from the beginning.
6. Buy a large enough (or over-sized) skimmer from the beginning.
7. Have a RO/DI filter from Day 1.

I'm sure I'll think of more.
 
29g: (Differently) I would have learned about online help years earlier! And got a drilled tank with the right equipment (lighting, skimmer, etc)
(Best part) Once the sump & refugium was added, I never would go back to a tank without it. Enjoying a mixed reef with SPS, clams, and a BTA - I'll never forget it.

55g: (Differently) I would have drilled that tank.
(Best Part) Huge sump & refugium made all the difference in the world.

280g: (Differently) Not use the sump and skimmer that came with it. I waited much too long to swap it out.
(Best Part) Hugest sump and monster skimmer makes everything more stable and water quality has vastly improved over time.

2g: (Differently) Build a corner overflow to keep the surface skimmed better; add an auto top off
(Best Part) Seeing the tiny garden of zoanthids and Casper was great.

14g Clown Cube: (Differently) Build a corner overflow to keep the surface cleaner
(Best Part) Seeing the clowns daily each time I enter the fish room

.....

And the bottom line for me is to use the right equipment from Day One that uses the least electricity possible to keep it from driving you out of the hobby.
 
37gall reef-- i should have drilled the tank for a sump rather than doing weekly water changes like a freakin nano tank
-- the thing i loved about the tank was the established rock i bought from this forum, it was already alive and have many corals attached

90 gal reef - i should have set my closed loop up from the beggining rather than trying to add it now. also you should plumb in a water change method,, using you existing return pump, manipulate a couple of valve to pump water right out of system without using another pump and slow powerhead ... i should have also change a few baffles in my sump for a fuge ---> return <skimmer oh well.

ALSO the epdm movable baffles in a sump work pretty well, set my fathers up this way a while back and now he can do whatever he wants with his sump

the thing i love about my 90 is i got a good 8x54 t5ho light and i love it, growth and polyp extension is awesome
 
90g: (Different) I would have picked up a better skimmer and bought my T5's from the beginning instead of 4 months later.
(best thing) I love watching the corals and fish. It is a treat. I also love the DIY stuff that I did.
Chuck
 
The #1 thing I would have done had i thought about it is installing 1-2 extra power sources. I'm maxed out now and plan on having Houston Stafford Electric to install a new power source to my office.

Plumbed the chiller outside. The heat exhaust in the summer is overbearing! This of course necessitates buying a larger chiller to make up for the pull-down.

What I love about the tank is the rockwork and the height of the stand. Getting a stand that's at eye level is so much better than looking down on it. If you need a guy that can build a great stand, I've got the guy for you.
 
Great thread, we should have a lesson's learned permanent thread....

1) What would you have done differently if you could (or did) change something for the better in your setup?

- gone bare bottom (no sand)
- have a bigger fuge.
- built an extra line off my return piping so i could use it for phosban reactor's (to run carbon and phosban). I added it later, but it was a pain.

2) What is the best part(s) about your aquarium that you would not change?

-custom electrical system/panel
-auto top off system, makes life much easier
-My EV-180 skimmer
-building my own fuge (wish it was bigger)
-not being cheap with my lighting
 
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