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Thread: Advice for all us rookies

  1. #1
    Grand Master Reefer wwest's Avatar
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    Lightbulb Advice for all us rookies

    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.. :-)


    Save a coral, Trade a frag.
    Stop The World, I Want Off

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    Grand Master Reefer fat walrus's Avatar
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    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.
    USA

  3. #3
    Grand Master Reefer wwest's Avatar
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    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.


    Save a coral, Trade a frag.
    Stop The World, I Want Off

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    Site Owner Rob's Avatar
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    great thread...
    *made it a sticky*

    lets keep the bullet points commin
    Show people you appreciate there advice, click the icon under there name and give them Reputation points



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    Grand Master Reefer wildeone's Avatar
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    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."

  6. #6
    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    things to make a mental note of:

    *only bad things happen quickly in a reef tank, the good stuff takes abit of time


    *Dilution is the solution



    *if its slow, then not enough flow


    *my reef tank see's bubbles, i think im in troubleslol, ok its getting creapy now
    Last edited by V; 06-15-2006 at 04:49 AM.



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  7. #7
    Grand Master Reefer wwest's Avatar
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    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..


    Save a coral, Trade a frag.
    Stop The World, I Want Off

  8. #8
    Master Reefer dreams's Avatar
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    i would liketo add...

    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

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  9. #9
    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    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



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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by veriann
    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
    V, this is a great idea, I never thought about doing this.
    Carmie


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  11. #11
    Master Reefer dreams's Avatar
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    i use the mag-float to hold my bags
    Wendy

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    " Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine."...Buddha

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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Gosh, I was thinking this is a Aussie trick and it turns out that I am just really slow!
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





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  13. #13
    Master Reefer dreams's Avatar
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    LOL....the food clips work too, but not as well
    Wendy

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    " Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine."...Buddha

  14. #14
    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    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



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    Grand Master Reefer fat walrus's Avatar
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    doesn't anyone have clothes-pins anymore?
    USA

  16. #16
    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    Quote Originally Posted by fat walrus
    doesn't anyone have clothes-pins anymore?
    as in plastic pegs?
    yeah, unless the world has moved to throwing everything in the drier, i would say they still exist..lol
    but yep, its usage can expand from just hanging clothes



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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Try finding the old fashioned kind that don't have springs.
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





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  18. #18
    Our Brotha Down Unda
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    Quote Originally Posted by CarmieJo
    Try finding the old fashioned kind that don't have springs.
    lol, eager, but not that eager!
    did u guys melt everything & anything down for your bullets & bombs under the flag of protection treaty



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  19. #19
    Grand Master Reefer fat walrus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by veriann
    lol, eager, but not that eager!
    did u guys melt everything & anything down for your bullets & bombs under the flag of protection treaty
    the bullets are imported from china, along with the flags.
    USA

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    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fat walrus
    the bullets are imported from china, along with the flags.
    And so are the clothes pins!
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





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  21. #21
    Curious Reefer TUlkas71's Avatar
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    Hey New guy here!
    Though I have some pretty big gaps in my reef knowledge. I thought Id add a few truths and advice for beginners.

    1. get an RO/DI unit. This is the number one thing I can say. the difference is unbelieveable. If your remotely serious about getting into this hobby make this your one big purchase. A good foundation is pure water, no matter how low the DTS of your tap is.

    2a. Throw away the Hydrometer and get a Refractometer. All it takes is to get one microscopic air bubble under your needle and 1.025 will read 1.029. The smaller the tank you larger swings in salenity you'll have.
    2b Test, Test, Test If you think theres a problem try to get a second opinion. Test kits do get old and not good. Take a sample to the LFS and compare from time to time.

    3. Put your Lights on a timer If you plan on anykind of stable envoroment for your reef, spend the five bucks at Lowes. Wildy varying lighting is stressful and can cause instability. Example: for the past week I decided to increase my lighting my 1 hour and have caused a daitom bloom. Imagine counting on when you remembering turning yout lights on and off will have.

    Ill just stuck with those to keep it short.

  22. #22
    Grand Master Reefer CarmieJo's Avatar
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    Hi TUlkas71,

    to TR
    Carmie


    Only disasters happen fast!





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  23. #23
    Master Reefer Danamck's Avatar
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    Great thread. I would like to add this:

    Success in our hobby is measured by having a healthy thriving tank, no matter how big or how small. There are many paths to success. There are many wrong ways to do things. And there are many right ways as well. Learn all that you can. Know that you WILL make mistakes, and decide to learn from those mistakes. Share your knowledge and mistakes with others. Always remember that we are responsible for the living creatures we chose to care for. And most importantly, have fun.

  24. #24
    Apprentice chase33's Avatar
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    Very good thread. My contributions;

    1. Always use more than 1 heater in case 1 breaks.
    2. Never cycle with live fish

    /C

  25. #25
    Curious Reefer iamfor3's Avatar
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    Wish I had this thread about 8 months ago lol

    1.Dessolve salt with a PH for 24hrs
    2.Topoff tank with fresh RO/DI water no salt (salt does not evaporate)
    3.Do not over feed

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