shawn lipon
07-12-2006, 12:01 PM
This was originaly and partialy meant for a different forum but ive seen the threads lately and added some stuff because i see so many people having troubles that are predictable and could be avoided.Alot of us have gone through these troubles and have learned from them.
This is only my opinion based on my past experiences and the opinion of others who have been in the hobby a long time. Hopefully this comment will save someone some $$$ and heartache.
It is common opinion and highly recomended to have a slow approach to reefkeeping in general and any disease problems any of you might have.
WHY RISK IT If you can wait you may save some cash and the LIFE of a fish and will lower your chances of another disease or algea outbreak. I know its a bore waiting with an empty tank but once you have killed,like so many of us have, some of your prize fish or corals due to poor disease management,poor planning,lack of quality equipment and maintenance etc, or whatever problem we face as reefkeepers you will understand why a slow,safe, smart approach to reefkeeping is highly recomended and more successful and better for all reefkeepers and the animals we spend so much time and money on.
spontaneous purchases many of us have made of fish right after wipeouts or made purchases we knew little about wasted money and killed many animals. I know when i was getting into the hobby in 89' i rushed everything and learned the hard way that resulted in many dead fish AND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS WASTED on inferior products and deaths.
From my experience based on a myriad of opinions :
Learn before you buy -Never buy a fish or product you havent researched and asked others with experience about.knowledge and reading are the first thing .Learn the diseases ,chemistry,and requirements behind the hobby so you understand what it will take to have success.READ <READ<READ. there are many opinions and books so seek a general opinion and make your own choise.Those in the hobby for a long time have learned from experience a wealth of knowledge and their opinions should be respected.
Take it slow reefkeeping requires patience dont rush into something youll regret later.-. Impulse buying should be avoided.If a fish or animal or equipment is new or you dont know ask to put it on hold to see how it shipped and learn about the animal or product before you buy it.Give extra time for new tanks and any disease problems.
Better to be safe than sorry just a rule of life but remember that weather it be putting a hose clamp on a hose,giving it some time after disease, or checking levels or making sure your heater is working or etc. you learn quickly after disasters like Ick outbreaks,flooded basements or electrical shocks or animal deaths so prevent them before they happen.Have avail quality medication and backup equip and plumbing for major components such as pumps heaters etc.these components are vital to your system .Plan for the worst and hope and try for the best .when we are protecting hundreds or even thousands worth of creatures and equipment keeping emergency stuff such as medication,pumps or parts , etc on hand are smart like buying home insurance and having a first aid kit..
Wait an extra pay check and get the better equipment the first time.
You can get away on a shoe string budget but alot of products and equipment base their performance on light or unrealistic loads so consider the next size up or larger quantity etc Lots of us have equipment graveyards in our storage rooms.This hobby seems to have a natural progression when it comes to quaility of better and bigger filters ,skimmers , lights, tanks etc so if you are in the hobby for the long haul budget to buy good quality equipment that comes highly recomended the first time.Remember YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.Usually spending a bit more for a better setup will save you the money of constantly replacing dead fish and corals and having disease out breaks and spending time maintaining instead of enjoying etc.
Buy bulk high quality goods when possible for things that you know you will use such as carbon,floss,filters,chemicals,salt etc. It sucks and gets expensive buying alittle at a time.MAXIMIZE SHIPPING .Buying quality chemicals is important cause even crappy carbon can throw a system into a bad algea plague.Always have extra salt or chemicals for emergencies such as emergency waterchanges etc.
Make it easy.the less maint the better-More time to enjoy. Alot of people give up because of the maintanence involved so plan ahead for as little work as possible by knowing the requirements of equipment and livestock.
i KILLED many a fish coral etc,I look back now and think -what a waste of fish and animals and i wish i knew then what i know now , for the sake of the animals be safe ,smart, and contientous toward these animals.
I hope this helps some of you. I welcome your comments.
This is only my opinion based on my past experiences and the opinion of others who have been in the hobby a long time. Hopefully this comment will save someone some $$$ and heartache.
It is common opinion and highly recomended to have a slow approach to reefkeeping in general and any disease problems any of you might have.
WHY RISK IT If you can wait you may save some cash and the LIFE of a fish and will lower your chances of another disease or algea outbreak. I know its a bore waiting with an empty tank but once you have killed,like so many of us have, some of your prize fish or corals due to poor disease management,poor planning,lack of quality equipment and maintenance etc, or whatever problem we face as reefkeepers you will understand why a slow,safe, smart approach to reefkeeping is highly recomended and more successful and better for all reefkeepers and the animals we spend so much time and money on.
spontaneous purchases many of us have made of fish right after wipeouts or made purchases we knew little about wasted money and killed many animals. I know when i was getting into the hobby in 89' i rushed everything and learned the hard way that resulted in many dead fish AND SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS WASTED on inferior products and deaths.
From my experience based on a myriad of opinions :
Learn before you buy -Never buy a fish or product you havent researched and asked others with experience about.knowledge and reading are the first thing .Learn the diseases ,chemistry,and requirements behind the hobby so you understand what it will take to have success.READ <READ<READ. there are many opinions and books so seek a general opinion and make your own choise.Those in the hobby for a long time have learned from experience a wealth of knowledge and their opinions should be respected.
Take it slow reefkeeping requires patience dont rush into something youll regret later.-. Impulse buying should be avoided.If a fish or animal or equipment is new or you dont know ask to put it on hold to see how it shipped and learn about the animal or product before you buy it.Give extra time for new tanks and any disease problems.
Better to be safe than sorry just a rule of life but remember that weather it be putting a hose clamp on a hose,giving it some time after disease, or checking levels or making sure your heater is working or etc. you learn quickly after disasters like Ick outbreaks,flooded basements or electrical shocks or animal deaths so prevent them before they happen.Have avail quality medication and backup equip and plumbing for major components such as pumps heaters etc.these components are vital to your system .Plan for the worst and hope and try for the best .when we are protecting hundreds or even thousands worth of creatures and equipment keeping emergency stuff such as medication,pumps or parts , etc on hand are smart like buying home insurance and having a first aid kit..
Wait an extra pay check and get the better equipment the first time.
You can get away on a shoe string budget but alot of products and equipment base their performance on light or unrealistic loads so consider the next size up or larger quantity etc Lots of us have equipment graveyards in our storage rooms.This hobby seems to have a natural progression when it comes to quaility of better and bigger filters ,skimmers , lights, tanks etc so if you are in the hobby for the long haul budget to buy good quality equipment that comes highly recomended the first time.Remember YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.Usually spending a bit more for a better setup will save you the money of constantly replacing dead fish and corals and having disease out breaks and spending time maintaining instead of enjoying etc.
Buy bulk high quality goods when possible for things that you know you will use such as carbon,floss,filters,chemicals,salt etc. It sucks and gets expensive buying alittle at a time.MAXIMIZE SHIPPING .Buying quality chemicals is important cause even crappy carbon can throw a system into a bad algea plague.Always have extra salt or chemicals for emergencies such as emergency waterchanges etc.
Make it easy.the less maint the better-More time to enjoy. Alot of people give up because of the maintanence involved so plan ahead for as little work as possible by knowing the requirements of equipment and livestock.
i KILLED many a fish coral etc,I look back now and think -what a waste of fish and animals and i wish i knew then what i know now , for the sake of the animals be safe ,smart, and contientous toward these animals.
I hope this helps some of you. I welcome your comments.