Community Help for New Aquarists: Input Needed!

Recently I've been helping out a lot of newer people to the hobby and have realized that it is far more daunting to get into it than it was when I started nearly 30 years ago. Obviously techniques, equipment and philosophies have changed dramatically since then and with all those changes and additions come a ton more information that must be digested by the new user. Recently, while helping a new hobbyist, I realized that with all that information, the new entrant had a hard time prioritizing what to concentrate on first and key issues (at least in my book) were being disregarded in favor of less important ones much to the detriment of the tank.

So, rather than post one man's view of what's important, I decided to enlist the input of everyone here to come up with a priority ranked list of things that are important in a tank.

Here is how we'll get this done:

First:
Everyone post items that they feel are important in keeping a successful tank. Do not prioritize these, just list what you think are important equipment, setup items, etc. We won't debate any of these right now - just list them out.

Second:
We'll combine similar items to come up with a final list and we'll post it.

Third:
Using a rating exercise I'll explain when we post the final list, we'll rate the most important items and come up with a final prioritized list.

Fourth:
We'll post the list and link to this thread in the New to Hobby forum.

 

So I'll start with a few items I feel are important - remember, in no particular order - just listing them out.

- Strong protein skimmer
- 1-2 lb of live rock per gallon
- Water movement in tank (with surface agitation)

 

Lights (I like T5, but any of the reef capable lighting choices is fine)

Skimmer

0 TDS water (Having a RO/DI unit at home makes this so much easier)

Live Rock

Flow (I prefer the Koralia style PH opposed to the Maxi-jet style PH)

Hydrometer/Refractometer (It doesn't matter which as long as it's accurate)

Research

Patience

 

-Quality test kit.
-Lighting.
-Flow.
-Refractometer.

 

-a good cuc (clean up crew) is always good
-good lighting(t5ho-mh)
-biological filtration
-test kits (found that liquid works best)

 

i couldnt agree more! patience is key

 

Allowing the cycle to run its course.

Using a refractometer and not a hydrometer for accuracy. Liquid test kits over strips (quality test kits!)

Good lighting.

I also subscribe to having lots of rock

Husbandry.

 

Great thread.

What has worked for me:

• Halide lighting
• Good skimmer
• Porous live rock
• RO/DI Water Filter
• Sump
• ATO
• Kalkwasser
• Regular water changes every 2-3 weeks.

Edit - And patience. And learn from your mistakes.

 

Protein Skimmer
Quality RO/DI Filter
1-2lbs of rock per gallon
Lots of flow
Patience
Research
No impulse buys
Expect to lose some fish and coral in the beginning (it happens to everyone so don't get discouraged)
Clownfish don't need a nem to live
Nems don't need clownfish to live
The cast of Finding Nemo will not coexist in one tank
If disaster strikes, stop, relax, think it out
Salt does not evaporate

 

I'm not a fan, but I'll add in a quarantine tank.

Come on folks, add more stuff!