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View Full Version : So, despite all your careful planning, what was the one thing that you forgot?


Hal
09/07/2006, 05:42 PM
I'm thinking about a new tank, and want to avoid as many mistakes as possible.

My mistake? Hoping to push 1500 gph through an external overflow box that I only later found out isn't rated for that.

Waxxiemann
09/07/2006, 05:53 PM
I'll never buy crappy hardware store ball valves again. I've got to rip my plumbing out and do it over.

I also bought this junky, leaky RO/DI.

Live and learn I guess.

Also, I'm getting a closed loop drilled in next time.

lilprincess
09/07/2006, 05:57 PM
When I moved my tank btwn cities, I got everything to my new location and ready to set up, but forgot the refractometer at the old house (2.5 hrs away)...a mad dash to the lfs ensued.

HBtank
09/07/2006, 06:10 PM
To have fun. .:mad2:












Nah, that's only sometimes. :) I personally forgot to set up my sump with a better baffle system to give constant water level (especially in the skimmer area) in a few compartments. Will end up being an easy fix, but could have been easier if I had done just a bit more research.

psilo
09/07/2006, 06:28 PM
I forgot... and always will forget to *measure*.

cheapo walmart stand + skimmer = no head room = dismantel stand to get sump on floor instead of on the little shelf..

sketchy.

old salty
09/07/2006, 07:59 PM
I forgot that anything made in Taiwan is garbage or will be in a short matter of time. I tried to cut this corner, but it caught up to me about 6 months later.

reefinmike
09/07/2006, 08:10 PM
putting a six-line in my favorite reef...

drummereef
09/07/2006, 08:33 PM
I will NEVER be without an extra supply of saltwater. Already mixed, ready to use. Accidents happen, be prepared.

reeferman06
09/07/2006, 08:53 PM
Not that I forgot, but that I was not suppose to use all tap water......I will never forget my first algae bloom, my water was completely green for days!

dbrody01
09/07/2006, 10:31 PM
I forgot to get a second opinion regarding the "expertise" of "knowledgeable" LFS guy.

steve the plumb
09/07/2006, 11:03 PM
to be a member here first read alot and ask questions before I even set up my tank.You learn from mistakes.
#1 never use tap water
#2 Don't buy a cheap skimmer trying to save money because you won't, buy a good one and oversize it.
#3 Buy the lighting for the corals that you wish to keep
#4 Don't listen to the LFS guys half of them don't give a dam if things die more money for them
#5 try to buy something once(I.E. my 3 skimmers sitting in my garage)
#6 READ READ and then READ some more

dbrody01
09/07/2006, 11:05 PM
Hey that's 6 things!!! :D

steve the plumb
09/07/2006, 11:14 PM
I have more trust me Mistakes I have made them a plenty.Mistakes cost money and then you require more of it to learn.The trick is try to make the least amount that way you can buy more stuff.Did I mention the time I set up my tank then when I finaly got my sump I was missing an inch from behind the wall.I couldn't fit the overflows.Drain the tank and move it you dummy.Or the time I spent over $200 on de-nitrate media that didn't work because its full of crap.You can use sugar for that.

55Reef
09/07/2006, 11:20 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8100123#post8100123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefinmike
putting a six-line in my favorite reef...

I did it twice...:rolleyes:

McCrary
09/08/2006, 01:35 AM
I forgot just how much plumbing costs when you have no idea what you are doing, lol.

VINH_XUAN
09/08/2006, 01:52 AM
Is that a joke TurboSnail8898, I'm not sure but it makes me laugh...really hard:D , and also someone mentioned about going back to the store to get a $0.29 part:D; no matter day or night I had to have that part to get one more thing done before feeling ok to go to bed

hot4teacher
09/08/2006, 03:34 AM
I forgot that after it's all said and done, it's still a box with water that can temporarily keep ocean animals alive. A $5,000 reef setup can kill a fish or coral just as fast as a $150 nanocube.

Dana

LobsterOfJustice
09/08/2006, 06:11 AM
Drill the tank for a closed loop intake.

bonerfortuna
09/08/2006, 06:42 AM
Setup your plumbing to facilitate easy almost automatic water changes.

MJAnderson
09/08/2006, 07:34 AM
That planning for the electrical setup is as iimportant as plumbing. My plumbing is neat and well thought out but the sight is marred by a mishmash of plugs/extension cords/timer boxes hanging everywhere in my sump.

Oh and not adding a second outlet on the wall behind my tank before setting it up.

Sheol
09/08/2006, 08:29 AM
3 Things here..

Have a supply of saltwater made when moving tank!
Never set up tank in my bedroom again. I had no idea skimmers were so LOUD..
Needed better planning for electrical supplies, plus check power cords to see if timer system is compatible!

Sincerely,
Matthew

dc
09/08/2006, 08:40 AM
It's not so much what I've forgot, but more that I've changed my mind on my goals more than once. I've bought lights twice now, and I'm still not happy.

HotHotHot
09/08/2006, 08:43 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8101749#post8101749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurboSnail8898
I forgot just how much plumbing costs when you have no idea what you are doing, lol.

And even when you do know what you are doing!

Also, I still need to call an electrician for some DEDICATED circuits. There's nothing worse than having a vacuum cleaner shut down your reef.

Ed

newtophish
09/08/2006, 08:47 AM
Just to plan better follow the 7 Ps.

Prior Proper Planning Prevents Pi** Poor Performance.

afelder
09/08/2006, 09:32 AM
Set up everything filled it and realized I had forgotten to install my surface skimmer. And I keep forgetting.

kravi
09/08/2006, 09:33 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8101422#post8101422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 55Reef
I did it twice...:rolleyes:

What's wrong with a six line wrasse? I thought they were reaf safe. Mine is certainly behaving himself.

--Me

RichConley
09/08/2006, 10:12 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8102702#post8102702 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HotHotHot
And even when you do know what you are doing!

Also, I still need to call an electrician for some DEDICATED circuits. There's nothing worse than having a vacuum cleaner shut down your reef.

Ed

I hear you, and my circuit box is in the landlord's apartment, so I haev to call him to get it flipped.

Vacuum, 2x250w halides = tripped breaker.

besl
09/08/2006, 10:18 AM
I sort of forgot to tell my wife what the cost of this reef tank was going to be... oops!

Waxxiemann
09/08/2006, 10:47 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8102970#post8102970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kravi
What's wrong with a six line wrasse? I thought they were reaf safe. Mine is certainly behaving himself.

--Me

I am curious as well. I nearly bought one last week.

SDguy
09/08/2006, 11:04 AM
Less than perfect baffle spacing in a small sump. Though without trying it, not sure how I could have known for sure...

McCrary
09/08/2006, 11:18 AM
They don't touch corals, but they get very belligerent.

55Reef
09/08/2006, 12:24 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8103373#post8103373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Waxxiemann
I am curious as well. I nearly bought one last week.

I originally bought them to help keep my clams healthy.

But, they would bully every other fish in the tank. When I would add another fish the six-line would kill it within a week. My last SL would trap newly added fish in a hole in the rock work. Circle around the tank and come back to make sure the fish was still in the hole. If it wasn't the SL would hunt him down and chase the fish back into the hole. This would go on until the new fish was gone.

I named him the six-line a$$.

By the way, I had the six-lines on seperate occaisions. Not together.

Pretty fish though. Maybe it would work better if they were added last. Or put them with bigger fish.

DSMpunk
09/08/2006, 01:56 PM
#5 try to buy something once(I.E. my 3 skimmers sitting in my garage)

Amen!

Im working on my 3rd skimmer myself (and countless RIO pumps replacements, pc lighting, swing arm hydrometers :rolleye1: )

Save up and try not to cheap out on things, it will save you tons of money in the long run.

OnTheReef
09/08/2006, 02:59 PM
Only one thing, huh? :rollface:
You will eventually want to disassemble your plumbing. Remember to include unions in strategic locations and make sure your strategy is right DURING THE DRY FIT!

You will keep upgrading your skimmer until you have an ASM, EuroReef, Deltec, etc.

Watch the swinging watch, let your eyes relax and repeat after me: only self-starting overflows, only self-starting overflows, ...

Chaloupa
09/12/2006, 12:21 AM
Don't get complacent with your judgement and common sense in your excitement to get a fish you have been waiting for. It can spell disaster!

MickZu
09/12/2006, 01:06 AM
Space to work in........................

Make sure you have plenty of room to play with!

jessp
09/12/2006, 03:30 AM
i started with too small a tank, in two years i'm on my second "upgrade". Now i realize i just want the biggest my second floor will hold and since i'm on the second and third floor ground floor is not an option. arrgh

miwoodar
09/13/2006, 12:45 AM
I forgot to convince my wife to let me go all out from the get-go. As a result I am always 'upgrading'. I knew better but I was hoping that I could make myself happy with a lower grade setup.

I hoped I would be satisfied with a VHO setup...I wasn't.
I hoped I would be satisfied with my skimmer...I wasn't.
I hoped I would be satisfied with my circulation...I wasn't.
I hoped I would be satisfied with manually topping off...nope.

Now she won't even let me get a $10 frag. She doesn't care if it is a once in a lifetime piece - it's not even an option for at least a few months.

Snarkys
09/13/2006, 09:07 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8099165#post8099165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hal


My mistake? Hoping to push 1500 gph through an external overflow box that I only later found out isn't rated for that.

I've been guilty of this : )

DSMpunk
09/13/2006, 10:19 AM
I named him the six-line a$$.

:lol:

My sixline jumped out of my tank and I cant say i was TOO upset. I was sorry he died but I was trying to get the little guy out for weeks.

Pint size horror.