Jorts1302 June 17, 2013 June 17, 2013 "Start a reef tank!" my brother said. "It'll be fun!" he said (he's had reefs for 15 years). New to reefing and used my few months between retiring from the USMC and starting my next career to do it. I've been running a 28g JBJ nano w/ LEDs since March. I joined WAMAS because of a recommendation from Steve at a new LFS, Quantum Aquatics in Springfield, VA (highly recommended). While my bro has helped me so much and has a beautiful reef, WAMAS has provided more guidance than one person ever could. If anyone can provide me with a list of common newbie mistakes, or maybe just one they've run into personally , I'd love to hear it. I've probably already made the same mistake so this is just so I don't feel so dumb. Tom
Origami June 17, 2013 June 17, 2013 Hi Tom. Welcome to WAMAS and thanks for your service. How long did you serve? The most common mistake in my opinion is not reading and researching choices and methods in advance of spending money. That leads to a lot of regrettable and avoidable mistakes. Also, we tend to be impatient and we tend to underestimate the importance of stability. We want an instant-ecosystem when, in reality, it can take some time to develop stability in the tank. Consequently, we tend to twiddle with things faster than our tanks can adapt, leading to problems. Moderate your expectations and move forward accordingly. It's easier to last in this hobby on a series of small successes than with the occasional big leaps followed by emotionally draining (and expensive) setbacks. For your 28 gallon JBJ, I'd set it up in an area where it is not subjected to too much direct sunlight. This can help you manage the temperature swings. Get an ATO (automatic top off unit) - that helps relieve you of a daily chore and gives you more time to enjoy the tank. You should be able to manage quality in a small tank like this through water changes. Start easy - maybe focus on soft corals and a few colorful zoanthids for example. Keep your fish-count low. In a 28 gallon tank - that's maybe 2-4 small fish that will stay reasonably small. Feed sparingly. Food that is not eaten turns into waste, which spoils water quality. Don't over-test. At the start, we tend to test our tanks once a day or even a couple of times per day. This is part enthusiasm and part nervousness. Testing so often tends to make us over-react in my opinion. If you do want to test a lot, be slow to react. Also, don't always blindly accept your test kit's measurement. It may be wrong and lead you to make bad choices. Look at your tank daily. How things are faring inside are best evaluated by looking at them, not a test tube. You will develop a sensitivity to how things are going and can use test kits as a diagnostic rather than a predictive tool. Invest in a refractometer. Most swing arm hydrometers, though cheap, can be inaccurate (for a variety of reasons). If you get a refractometer, get calibration fluid so you can make sure it's set correctly. Those are some initial thoughts. Again, welcome to WAMAS!
sachabballi reef June 17, 2013 June 17, 2013 Hi Tom, I truly appreciate the sacrifices you and your family have made by your service...welcome to civilianhood. Welcome aboard!! You find an amazing group of people and quick friendships and a vast wealth of knowledge.... Origami seems to have the best ones listed for you , just remember to go slow and nothing good in this hobby happens fast...just the bad stuff!
OldReefer June 17, 2013 June 17, 2013 I am just a few miles from you in Belle Haven, feel free to drop by. Just send a PM.
countryboy June 18, 2013 June 18, 2013 (edited) Welcome Sir! Thank you for your service! Edited June 18, 2013 by countryboy
Incredible Corals June 18, 2013 June 18, 2013 Welcome! Thank you for your service! Also, best advise would be to ask as many questions as possible. No question is a bad question
brad908 June 18, 2013 June 18, 2013 Welcome. I live in Old Town as well. Let me know if you ever need help.
hawkfish01 June 18, 2013 June 18, 2013 Welcome to wamas and thank you for your service sir.. Patience is the hardest thing in this hobby...good things come to those who wait..8)
Quantum Aquaria June 19, 2013 June 19, 2013 Glad to see you made it :-). Welcome to the club and as I mentioned, this is a great club to be a part of and you'll find lots of helpful folks and advice on here. Of course, you can always ask us, but you've also got the entire WAMAS community behind you now
Jorts1302 June 20, 2013 Author June 20, 2013 Thank you all for the warm welcome! Origami: Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka? (Do speak Japanese? ...me neither) Excellent advice, and if I joined WAMAS sooner, I'd have avoided a few of the mistakes you mentioned. ATO is super important I've found, especially in a tank as small as mine. Thanks for the tips and I look forward to meeting some of you this Saturday at the meet n' greet at Reef eScape. Anyone going to be there?
Origami June 20, 2013 June 20, 2013 Origami: Nihongo ga hanasemasu ka? (Do speak Japanese? ...me neither) Excellent advice, and if I joined WAMAS sooner, I'd have avoided a few of the mistakes you mentioned. ATO is super important I've found, especially in a tank as small as mine. Nein. Aber meine mutter tut. (And that's stretching my two years of high school German!)
Jason Rhoads June 20, 2013 June 20, 2013 Semper Fi brother, and welcome to WAMAS. I am pretty sure I met you at Quantum that Sunday when Steve recruited me to peer pressure you into joining the club. I echo everything Origami said. I would like to add the following: This hobby is a minefield of anecdotal evidence and advice that may or not be based in any way upon solid reasoning or fact. Take it all in and do what makes sense to you based on what you dig up. When you are ready for some corals hit me up I have some hardy and pretty things you are welcome to a frag of. Also, if you ever want to come check out my tank or grab a beer and talk Marine Corps let me know. Talking with other vets can be cathartic.
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