Experienced Reefers

mannyo_09 · 10/07/2018, 10:59 AM

Those of you who have successful and established tanks that have been thriving for a few years, what do you owe your success to?

What practices have continuously used to achieve success over the years? Filtration set up? Do you make your own RO water and mix your own saltwater? And what have you tried over the years and has not really worked out?

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fishyguy7 · 10/07/2018, 11:16 AM

Biggest thing I have learned in 20 years is stability is key !! Take your time with everything. I do make my own saltwater using a RO/DI unit. Many people like to follow the KISS method (keep it simple stupid) I am not one of those people lol. I have my entire system automated. The only other advice I can give is quality components. I have never regretted more things than trying to save a 100 bucks on a pump only to have it fail early. Oh one more thing. I also have a backup for just about every part of my tank including power heads,lights,heater,main pump.

billdogg · 10/07/2018, 11:53 AM

I've been at it for 30 years. I've certainly had my share of disasters. Some of them of my doing, some from the "help" of others.

I agree 100% that stability is the most important aspect of this hobby. That being said, the only things I have automated are the lights (LED now, started with T12 NO's and then T12 VHO) and the dosers. I have found that anything can and will fail, usually at the worst possible time, so I rely on myself for top off's water changes, feeding, etc.

I make my own ro/di water and mix my own salt. I cannot fathom doing that any other way. I don't like schlepping water form the mixing station to the tank, much less from the LFS to home. That's why my mixing station is now plumbed to the back of the tank - no more buckets for me!

Go Slow. That cannot be said often enough. I've seen too many people think that if they throw enough money at something it will be better. I ****ed enough people off when I worked at the LFS who wanted to buy something and I would refuse because they were not ready or just didn't have the setup needed for what they wanted. Almost all of them would be back thanking me for that after they had gone elsewhere, bought what they wanted, killed it, and wasted their money because some other salesperson didn't care if it lived or died.

Let me go over that one more time. GO SLOW!.

Research what you want before you buy it. Back in the day there were precious few places to learn from. Now, with the Interwebs, there may actually be to many "sources" of information. The difficulty now lies in separating the wheat from the chaff. Websites like this one are an excellent place to start. Others like www.wetwebmedia.com are a treasure trove of information but can be difficult to navigate. Read, ask questions, read some more.

I have learned not only biology and physiology over the years, but also how to DIY almost anything. Electrical, plumbing, woodworking, acrylic fabrication, etc are all skills that will come into play if you are doing this for long.

Most of all, enjoy the hobby!

Uncle99 · 10/07/2018, 06:15 PM

Correct lighting, perfect on point water at all times, stability, and choosing appropriate inhabitants.

davocean · 10/07/2018, 07:07 PM

33 years, patience, open mind, observation and lots of reading, research everything before you do anything.
Having forums like this has made a world of difference, todays reefers are pretty lucky to have that, back when it was books and trial and error.

Misled · 10/07/2018, 08:50 PM

33 here also. I agree stability is the key. I'm also a fan of water changes, but learned a while back, doing it small can be really helpful. I do 1 gallon per day.

Oh yea, like Bill said, Go Slow!!!!

10/07/2018, 10:59 AM	#1
mannyo_09 Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 73	Experienced Reefers Those of you who have successful and established tanks that have been thriving for a few years, what do you owe your success to? What practices have continuously used to achieve success over the years? Filtration set up? Do you make your own RO water and mix your own saltwater? And what have you tried over the years and has not really worked out? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10/07/2018, 11:53 AM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I've been at it for 30 years. I've certainly had my share of disasters. Some of them of my doing, some from the "help" of others. I agree 100% that stability is the most important aspect of this hobby. That being said, the only things I have automated are the lights (LED now, started with T12 NO's and then T12 VHO) and the dosers. I have found that anything can and will fail, usually at the worst possible time, so I rely on myself for top off's water changes, feeding, etc. I make my own ro/di water and mix my own salt. I cannot fathom doing that any other way. I don't like schlepping water form the mixing station to the tank, much less from the LFS to home. That's why my mixing station is now plumbed to the back of the tank - no more buckets for me! Go Slow. That cannot be said often enough. I've seen too many people think that if they throw enough money at something it will be better. I **ed enough people off when I worked at the LFS who wanted to buy something and I would refuse because they were not ready or just didn't have the setup needed for what they wanted. Almost all of them would be back thanking me for that after they had gone elsewhere, bought what they wanted, killed it, and wasted their money because some other salesperson didn't care if it lived or died. Let me go over that one more time. GO SLOW!**. Research what you want before you buy it. Back in the day there were precious few places to learn from. Now, with the Interwebs, there may actually be to many "sources" of information. The difficulty now lies in separating the wheat from the chaff. Websites like this one are an excellent place to start. Others like www.wetwebmedia.com are a treasure trove of information but can be difficult to navigate. Read, ask questions, read some more. I have learned not only biology and physiology over the years, but also how to DIY almost anything. Electrical, plumbing, woodworking, acrylic fabrication, etc are all skills that will come into play if you are doing this for long. Most of all, enjoy the hobby! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/07/2018, 07:07 PM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	33 years, patience, open mind, observation and lots of reading, research everything before you do anything. Having forums like this has made a world of difference, todays reefers are pretty lucky to have that, back when it was books and trial and error. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

10/07/2018, 08:50 PM	#6
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	33 here also. I agree stability is the key. I'm also a fan of water changes, but learned a while back, doing it small can be really helpful. I do 1 gallon per day. Oh yea, like Bill said, Go Slow!!!! __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

10/07/2018, 11:16 AM	#2
fishyguy7 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Fort Collins,CO Posts: 426	Biggest thing I have learned in 20 years is stability is key !! Take your time with everything. I do make my own saltwater using a RO/DI unit. Many people like to follow the KISS method (keep it simple stupid) I am not one of those people lol. I have my entire system automated. The only other advice I can give is quality components. I have never regretted more things than trying to save a 100 bucks on a pump only to have it fail early. Oh one more thing. I also have a backup for just about every part of my tank including power heads,lights,heater,main pump.

10/07/2018, 06:15 PM	#4
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Correct lighting, perfect on point water at all times, stability, and choosing appropriate inhabitants.