I was thinking that maybe someone should post a thread about quick advice for all the rookies like me. so i decided to post it myself lol :-)
I would like to add
Do research and question everything you hear. Everyone has there own experiences
Most LFS are out to sell stuff ( not saying all, but most ) they have there own experiences as well..
Dont go cheap on a skimmer, a skimmer can save you work as well as make work.
Lighting, i am still learning lights but to some extent i dont think anyone fully has it down pat. so learn as much about lights as you can before you buy a exspensive light. and know what type of tank you want ( Reef tank or Fish Tank )
Sandbed, Decide what type of sandbed you want (depth and type) because it is hard to add or change later..
Forums, Forums are the best thing to happen to the internet when it comes to salt water tanks. dont hesitate to post something. it will help you and may help other people as well..
Heaters, if you are in a cold climate you really want to get a good heater. extreme temp drop can hurt if not kill your live stock.
Cycling, let the tank cycle and dont rush things it could cost you money as well as time.
well thats all i can think of right now. everyone feel free to post your advice for us newbies.. :-)
wwest makes some excellent points. i do want to add to his comment about lfs. a good lfs will very often try to talk a hobbyist out of buying a product, if they sense the hobbyist is not ready or they truly do not believe in that product. if you do find one of those stores that care more than just selling as much as they can, you should try to give them as much of your business as possible, because at the end of the day, they do need to sell to stay in business. it is the good lfs that will keep the bad lfs from taking over and just sell what they want at whatever price they want.
that is very true. The LFS that i like told me when i first started that i wasnt ready for a hammer coral. and after i thought about it and relized why he said that, they get all my business.. however now i dont have the money for a hammer coral lol :-).. but i respect them more for saying that then if they would of let me leave that store with it. instead of leaving with it i left with a skimmer. Something i really needed.
All great points for the beginners. I would like to add a few that came to mind ( I am sure there will be more).
"Weigh heavily the origin of your livestock. Wild caught species will eventually hurt our hobby. Try to purchase tank raised livestock whenever possible"
and
"Take EVERYTHING slow."
and
"Document and log your progress. From your tank levels to your livestock. That information will become invaluable for seeing a problem in the early stages."
Live Stock, I am still learning about live stock so bare with me but when you choice your live stock you need to make sure what living conditions it need. not everything is the same.
Sumps and Refugiums, two items that are great but depending on your tank and setup you might not need. So figure out why you want/need one before you spend the money on it. while both are great and highly recomended, not every tank needs one.
LFS Water, When buying coral's and fish at the fish store never dump the bag into your tank, that little bit of water can mess your hole tank up..
if you are not doing a nano or specimin tank, buy the biggest tank you can afford & have room for......in the long run, it will save you money & is easier to work with
__________________ Wendy
___________________________ " Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine."...Buddha
even going one step futher with the not adding the bag into the display.
i take a bucket of tank water & float the purchase in this. i use the magnet to hold the bags to the side of the tank stand(which is metal) to keep the bag suspended whilst i add my acclimation water
lol, sometimes it in front of u, and u dont see it. happens to me every now & again.
if i didn't have the magnet trick, i would build a frame around the bucket with holding clips at the top, & just peg them on! just dont like the look of the bag sqeezing cause of the displacement in the water, if i were a fish id be freaking
Advice for all us rookies 
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