halfpint Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Alright, NR vets and otherwise smart members, let's make an informative topic for new people to read. Hopefully this will reduce the "why is there so much brown algae all over everything?" and "why did my damsel die when he bit the lit firecracker that I tossed into the tank?" Just post your pointers and discuss whatever ones that have already been posted. Please don't hyjack this thread. It doesn't need to be 8 pages of crap. Just 1 or 2 pages of good, useful information. I'll go first. N00bs, here are some common problems that you shouldn't worry about. The imfamous "brown algae bloom." It happens to everyone who sets up a tank. So don't panic. The nytrogen cycle. Learn it before setting a tank up. It goes Decaying matter = Ammonia = Nitrite = Nitrate = Nitrogen gas. Wait it out. Don't add anything until Ammonia, nitrite, and most of nitrates are gone. Feeding. Don't feed your fish every day. Nano tanks build up waste easily, so feed every other day or every three days. 26 Quote Link to comment
Fishfreak218 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Go very slow in the begining. In this hobby, only bad things happen fast! 17 2 Quote Link to comment
jgreen Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) Go very slow in the begining. In this hobby, only bad things happen fast! Find a mentor in this hobby and duplicate what's working for them. Thanks Fish and Jemram. Edited January 7, 2007 by jgreen 6 1 Quote Link to comment
Gvtv44 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Take your time, plan out every aspect of your system, and research everything thoroughly. 11 Quote Link to comment
mascencerro Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 set aside a special "my aquaria" fund when you first start studying and planning. It doesnt have to be national debt expensive, but if you don't start saving a little here and there when you start, you'll end up getting the 'cheapest' first then wanting to upgrade and upgrade and upgrade when you get money. Why not start out with a couple of good items you really want like lights, filter, etc in the beginning instead of having a closet full of stuff you cant use and nobody wants in the end. 21 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment
cooksalot Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 there is a search button here on NR. try typing in the topic you are looking for there first. not only has it probably been covered, but you will find all your answers instantly instead of having to wait for replies. and when you do post a question regarding unusual activity in your tank or your cycle, make sure you post all your water parameters, as most people won't be able to accurately help you without them. 9 2 Quote Link to comment
basser1 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 The search button is good, but in addition, I also use google search for more info. Also read as much as you can. I'm not very technical oriented and I like to keep things as simple as possible. One book that I enjoyed reading was The Nano-Reef Handbook by Chris Brightwell. Lots of great pics, (alright I admit I liked the pictures), and has a lot of info. One more thing, be very Patient and take your time. For example, don't decide to put in a BTA for your clownfish after the tank has been up a few weeks. 6 Quote Link to comment
Izzue Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Be Nice... And dont Troll...or yu will catch a feeler hurter or 2 0.02 Izzue 3 1 Quote Link to comment
halfpint Posted January 7, 2007 Author Share Posted January 7, 2007 Let your tank mature for at least two months after the cycle if you want it to be more stable. I have done this with 7 of my tanks and I haven't had a crash yet. When you're adding livestock, add your peaceful fish first, wait a week or so (to allow him to get his territory together) before adding semi-aggresive fish. This will increase your chances of harmonious co-existence. Before buying a coral that you aren't familiar with, google it's name like this "*coral's name* care" that will give you better chances of survival. DON'T USE CRUSHED CORAL FOR SUBSTRATE!!! For best results, use Arag-alive wet-bagged sand. It's awesome. Just be sure to check the expiration date on the bag before buying. 11 1 Quote Link to comment
oceanqueen Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 before asking what fish to get,read up on differant species and see which one might fit your personality 2 Quote Link to comment
BabyboyTropics Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Always ask questions!!!! 3 Quote Link to comment
halfpint Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 (edited) In most cases, don't believe anything that a person at the LFS tells you. They will (in most cases) BS you, just to get you to buy more. [EDIT]Thanks, mods for the sticky! We just need more of the experienced people to shed osme light in here.[/edit] Edited January 8, 2007 by halfpint 6 Quote Link to comment
Fishfreak218 Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 THE MOST IMPORTAN RULE TO NANO REEF KEEPING: Dont get a Royal Gramma! 6 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Duncan Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Clown fish doesn't need a anemone to survive in reef tank. 6 Quote Link to comment
reefpeace Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Wait for two months or so after you decide you reeeeeeaaaalllly want a tank and see if you still do. While you are waiting, read and read forums like this and if the bug is still there it will be that much sweeter to set up your tank and you will have a lot fewer 'noob' questions or surprises . 5 Quote Link to comment
tinyreef Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 watch your salinity every day. an ato is invaluable. watch your temperatures in the spring/summer. don't eat yellow snow in the winter. the most important reefing technique is patience. the most important aspect in reefing is lighting. the most useful device is a turkey baster. 20 1 4 Quote Link to comment
g0tfish Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 have a stable income 16 1 7 Quote Link to comment
halfpint Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 Make sure you read up on the Pom Pom before taking the plunge. They can be tricky. Quote Link to comment
Withers Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 Automation is a double-edged sword. While you'll enjoy all the extra free-time that you could've spent topping off your tank, turning your lights on and off, etc etc, it just adds that many more things to go wrong once you go on vacation. When you go on vacation, prepare for the worst. If something is about to malfunction, it WILL wait until you've left for vacation before it actually breaks. Patience is a virtue in this hobby. Rushing anything will lead to problems down the road. You pay for what you get. If you cut corners early on, you'll have to deal with the repercussions of your decisions later once your tank has matured. 6 Quote Link to comment
andykee Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 You pay for what you get. If you cut corners early on, you'll have to deal with the repercussions of your decisions later once your tank has matured. that is one of the best pieces of advice in this hobby. don't cheap out on stuff or cut corners in the beginning, because it will end up costing you in the long run. 3 Quote Link to comment
Popular Post Gwoardnog Posted January 8, 2007 Popular Post Share Posted January 8, 2007 ooo ooo, i have a list: 1. Stability is key 2. Bigger = easier to keep stable 3. Ammonia -> Nitrites then Nitrates 4. Ammonia and nitrites need to be zero before anything 5. When in doubt wait 2 weeks 6. When stocking only add critters once a month 7. At least 1lb. of rock per gallon 8. Live sand is not needed, it will be seeded from live rock 9. Put as much sand in as is pleasing to the eye 10. No crushed coral. Anywhere. 11. Tonga, Fiji, Marshal etc. Whichever looks best to you 12. Less fish = room for error when the unexpected happens 13. The unexpected will happen 14. Yes you are probably overstocked 15. No anemones under 25 gallons. 16. No tangs unless you have a bigger tank to move them to later. 17. Good stuff doesn’t come cheap 18. You get what you pay for 19. Refugiums aren’t required 20. Refugium > no refugium 21. Chaeto is a nice macro algae to use in a refugium 22. Skimmers aren’t required. 23. Skimmers are nice 24. Good nano skimmers are(in no particular order): a. Cora-Life Super Skimmer b. Remora c. ASM 25. Skimmer and a refugium are both good additions 26. Yes a Remora will fit on a 10gal. 27. Water-changes weekly are a very good idea 28. Change 10%-20% water a week for good results 29. IO is a good salt 30. So are pretty much all salt brands 31. Light 8-12 hours a day is a good idea 32. No your Ph doesn’t have to be 8.2 33. Ph of 7.8 is fine 34. Ph of 8.4 is fine 35. Don’t add any supplements without testing 36. This includes Ph buffer 37. Rule of thumb: 1 clean up crew critter per gallon 38. Stability is key 39. Get a refractometer already 40. MH or T5’s for clams and acropora 41. 250W of MH is probably a little overkill 42. PC’s can probably be used for everything else 43. 6500k yellow light 44. 10000k white light 45. 20000k blue light 46. Use RO water 47. RODI > Distilled > RO > whatever else 48. Don’t use bottled drinking water 49. Don’t use spring water 50. Don’t use tap water 51. Cyano problems (red slimy algae, grows everywhere) a. Less feeding b. 8 hour lighting period c. More flow d. More water changes e. Vacuum your sand already 52. Don’t let the snail rot in your tank 53. Don’t feed primarily brine shrimp (good for treats once in a while) 54. DT’s only if you want more pods or have clams 55. Flakes are fine, frozen is probably better 56. Variety is best for fish food 57. 10x-20x you tank volume water turnover rate is a good number to aim for with your powerheads 58. Turbulent flow > direct flow 59. Have at least two sources of water flow for best turbulence 60. When in doubt refer to rule #1. 68 16 Quote Link to comment
Scott Riemer Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 (edited) DO NOT impulse buy anything, especially livestock. Walk out, go home, research needs as far as environment, compatability, feeding habits, etc. In my experience, local fish stores will tell you what they think you want to hear, research for yourself. Edited January 8, 2007 by Scott Riemer 6 Quote Link to comment
lgreen Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 My key piece of advise: 2 Quote Link to comment
sparticleveland Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 My key piece of advise: Link heh heh heh.... Quote Link to comment
oogie Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 one thing I always realized after setting up tanks is regreting about the design or how something works about the tank. It could be how your closed loop is setup, or design of sump or etc.... after u filling the tank with freshwater, make sure everything works exactly way u want and make sure it has more flow then what u want before u add salt, cause later as tank matures, some of adjustment is virtualy impossble. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
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