If you could go back and tell your reef newbie self something, what would it be?

[AlyciaMarie]

A piece of advice, or a lesson along the way... If you had the opportunity to go back in time with the reefing knowledge that you have today, what would you tell your newbie (or noob-y..) self?

I'm curious to hear your experiences!

 

[Garf]

A piece of advice, or a lesson along the way... If you had the opportunity to go back in time with the reefing knowledge that you have today, what would you tell your newbie (or noob-y..) self?

I'm curious to hear your experiences!

Some folk get stuck at the top of mount stupid, be better than that;

 

[eliaslikesfish]

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby. Only bad things happen overnight, if you think you go slow, slow down even more.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Have more money.

 

[eelman07]

Buy nice test kits (Hanna or Salifert) to start off with

 

[X-37B]

Always use live rock but thats what I did from day one as a noob in the late 80's, lol.

 

[BriansBrain]

Less is more, except for money

 

[steveschuerger]

Go slower , have patience, win the lottery

 

[Reefer Matt]

Some folk get stuck at the top of mount stupid, be better than that;

 

[Mark Goode]

Dip your corals.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Ok, I’ll say it.
Join Reef2Reef sooner!!!

 

[corosato]

Buy the bigger tank

 

[Stevorino]

I did a lot of massive water changes the first few years in.... in retrospect that caused a lot of stability issues.

 

[bubbgee]

Buy the bigger tank

This! And the better light!

 

[Biokabe]

1. Get a heater controller sooner, and use the two-heater method from the beginning.
2. Don't waste time with intermediate tanks. Save up to go straight to the biggest size your space and long-term budget allows.
3. Don't bother with an external overflow that relies on a siphon.
4. When you're swapping tanks, don't skimp out on storage containers. Have more than you think you'll need, and have more pre-mixed water on hand.
5. Don't use dry rock.

 

[JoJosReef]

Buy the bigger tank

Yup! Buy the bigger tank!!

 

[herozero]

You are NOT a carpenter.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Don't buy the used stuff your thinking of buying...your being ripped off

 

[herozero]

1. Get a heater controller sooner, and use the two-heater method from the beginning.
2. Don't waste time with intermediate tanks. Save up to go straight to the biggest size your space and long-term budget allows.
3. Don't bother with an external overflow that relies on a siphon.
4. When you're swapping tanks, don't skimp out on storage containers. Have more than you think you'll need, and have more pre-mixed water on hand.
5. Don't use dry rock.

Couldn't like it more than once, so I had to reply also. All 5 of these things if you're new or not, brilliant.

 

[jayala12]

Stop messing with the dang settings on your lights.