As a NEW reefkeeper ... info?

SnowManSnow · 05/14/2011, 08:36 AM

hi guys...
at one time or another we were ALL NEW TO THE HOBBY!!

can you help me remember some of the things that seemed difficult?

what are some of the basics that would have made the journey easier?

thanks for the ideas!

B

sjwitt · 05/14/2011, 09:14 AM

For me the first difficult part was understanding all the components I needed ... i.e., protein skimmer, filters, live rock, circulation, etc. How it all went together and interacted to create a stable system. It took a little while (and some trial and error) to figure it all out.

Second, was the balance of water chemistry. I got the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, PH, SG ... the very basics, pretty quick but understanding the others didn't come right away. Like Alk, Magnesium, Calcium, iodine, etc. That too came with time and I'm still learning more every day.

We also read and write a lot about 'going slow' and quarantine and so forth. This was probably the hardest part because we're all so enthusiastic and excited about the hobby that it's really hard to refrain from getting "just one more" or succumbing to the "but it's so pretty" syndrome. I made mistakes in that area just like most everyone else.

One of the most important things I learned was that the QT should be as close as possible to the DT, i.e., same water chemistry, having a smaller replicate of the DT (I actually used the plastic rocks so it "looked" more realistic, which I think calmed the fish faster). Plus leaving fish in QT for as long as it takes to 1. get them eating and fatten them up and 2. make sure they have no parasites. I used to leave them in QT for only a couple of weeks. The last time I got fish I left them in probably 8 weeks! BUT, all the fish that survived QT are still happy and healthy in the DT.

Bluecheese · 05/14/2011, 01:48 PM

The most important thing is to be patient, never rush, make your decisions after reading and making sure you have all the info you need to move to the next step. Always expect that something unexpected will happen!
Don t be afraid to share your ideas with others on this forum or others, and grow from other peoples mistakes!

05/14/2011, 08:36 AM	#1
SnowManSnow Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Georgia Posts: 956	As a NEW reefkeeper ... info? hi guys... at one time or another we were ALL NEW TO THE HOBBY!! can you help me remember some of the things that seemed difficult? what are some of the basics that would have made the journey easier? thanks for the ideas! B __________________ It's dark as the inside of a cow out here! - Mark Twain Current Tank Info: 120 MRC acrylic Tank (love it). Constellation T5s Mixed Reef

05/14/2011, 01:48 PM	#3
Bluecheese Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 51	The most important thing is to be patient, never rush, make your decisions after reading and making sure you have all the info you need to move to the next step. Always expect that something unexpected will happen! Don t be afraid to share your ideas with others on this forum or others, and grow from other peoples mistakes! __________________ You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. Mark Twain (1835 - 1910) Current Tank Info: 150 Acr? under development (w/75 G sump w/150 lbs LR) 70 acrylic Gal w/120lbs LR. Lots of Zoos (15 different), Shrooms (5 dif), Xenia (2 dif ), 14 SPS

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05/14/2011, 09:14 AM	#2
sjwitt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: USA, East Coast Posts: 896	For me the first difficult part was understanding all the components I needed ... i.e., protein skimmer, filters, live rock, circulation, etc. How it all went together and interacted to create a stable system. It took a little while (and some trial and error) to figure it all out. Second, was the balance of water chemistry. I got the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, PH, SG ... the very basics, pretty quick but understanding the others didn't come right away. Like Alk, Magnesium, Calcium, iodine, etc. That too came with time and I'm still learning more every day. We also read and write a lot about 'going slow' and quarantine and so forth. This was probably the hardest part because we're all so enthusiastic and excited about the hobby that it's really hard to refrain from getting "just one more" or succumbing to the "but it's so pretty" syndrome. I made mistakes in that area just like most everyone else. One of the most important things I learned was that the QT should be as close as possible to the DT, i.e., same water chemistry, having a smaller replicate of the DT (I actually used the plastic rocks so it "looked" more realistic, which I think calmed the fish faster). Plus leaving fish in QT for as long as it takes to 1. get them eating and fatten them up and 2. make sure they have no parasites. I used to leave them in QT for only a couple of weeks. The last time I got fish I left them in probably 8 weeks! BUT, all the fish that survived QT are still happy and healthy in the DT.