SRC Member Harry H Posted October 16, 2017 SRC Member Share Posted October 16, 2017 Dear Reefers, After nearly 3 years keeping a saltwater reef tank, I realized the best lessons have been given by all the seniors here. There is really no magic. No “secret additive” nor method. I made several horrendous and expensive mistakes because I refused to listen. So here are my own 10 lessons: 1. If you want corals, get a chiller. Or pick very hardy corals. 2. This is I think a rule I kept procrastinating to obey. USE RODI WATER. Full stop. I tried all kinds of work around. Nope. Just get the cheapest RODI water treatment system, add salt and that solves so many of your problems like algae, poor coral growth etc etc. To me, this is the most important lesson. 3. Change 10-20% of your Aquarium water even if the water looks “clean”. No point doing all the nitrate tests. Just change it dutifully. I am in the water treatment business and thought I can beat the system by using various methods to avoid water change. I am wrong. Just do it. This is the second most important lesson. 4. Don’t overstock. Resist the temptation to buy “a few” fishes. Come on one extra Fish won’t crash the tank. It will. 5. Feed very little. Alternate day feeding. Don’t worry they won’t starve to death. 6. If you keep corals, get a good light. 7. Read and research. 8. Listen to the seniors in this forum who have done it before. 9. Don’t buy anemone unless you have shielded your wave maker. Blender kill has caused my tank to crash a few times. 10. Figure a way out to maintain the tank with the least effort so you won’t hate it. Had I stuck to the above rules I think I could have saved myself lots of blind alleys, frustration and money. You will note that I am saying nothing new. That’s precisely the lessons I learned. Last rule - have fun. Happy Reefing!! And I would love to take this opportunity to thank all the Bros here for the advice so freely given over the years. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Ooozone Posted October 16, 2017 SRC Member Share Posted October 16, 2017 Thanks for sharing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Lecky Posted October 16, 2017 SRC Member Share Posted October 16, 2017 Thanks for the useful tips!Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member vakeros Posted October 16, 2017 SRC Member Share Posted October 16, 2017 Very true. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nagase Posted October 16, 2017 Share Posted October 16, 2017 Thanks for sharing bro! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abartolo Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Solid advice and Well written.Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Supporter Harlequinmania Posted October 17, 2017 SRC Supporter Share Posted October 17, 2017 Being patient is also very important in this hobby Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 1 Quote 1000 Gallon Tank in the Hole http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/topic/120957-1000-gallon-3d-hole-in-the-wall/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Harry H Posted October 18, 2017 Author SRC Member Share Posted October 18, 2017 Thanks for the kind words to all the reefers. Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnsfpl Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 point 10 is very impt, once a hobby became a chore its decomm time thanks for sharing, here's mine Stability: always make minor changes, be it water change, dosing additives or changing of light tubes etc etc Natural Food Source: try not to keep fish that feed solely on pods / natural algae as new addition usually feed on them before accepting "prepared food" Avoid Stress: dont rescape, frag, add new fish etc etc every other day / week Murphy's law: try to have backup equipment, esp return pump, if possible chiller too happy reefing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Komerider Posted October 25, 2017 SRC Member Share Posted October 25, 2017 I agree on point 10 too. Ive kept to being content with just the easy to moderate corals. My no3 is 1-2 cos of DSB n bio pellets, but I can't keep up with the regular water monitoring and change requirement for the harder ones.Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rojakclownfish Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 point 4 is definitely my weakness. "its just ONE more baby fish" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Kumar 1981 Posted March 17, 2018 SRC Member Share Posted March 17, 2018 Good write up! Thanks!Sent from Singapore Reef Club mobile app Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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