Getting it right the first time ...

... in this hobby is darn near impossible!!

Anyone out there do the research, purchase equipment you were 100% satisfied with, setup a tank you were 100% satisfied with, or develop techniques you were 100% satisfied with on the first try?

I have had my tank setup for six months now and have made numerous changes, with many more to come I am sure.

Equipment

With the myriad of choices available it is hard to pick a piece and be happy with it. As a beginner it is especially difficult. One problem that may lead to less than spectacular equipment decisions is economy. For example, I started out using Maxi-Jet powerheads in my tank due to the lower cost. However after purchasing and using a Korelia, my eyes have been opened! I have also been tweaking my overflow and sump plumbing for several weeks now. Whether or not I am happy with my return pump is yet to be decided. And don't even get me started on lighting!

Tank Setup

I will admit right now one of the main reasons I have not reaquascaped my DT is because of the 2" long fireworms I have seen crawling around in there. Also I do feel that I could have made much better decisions concerning my base and live rock purchases, but hey I will know better on the next one eh! Because there will be a next one ...
Geez and I haven't even started adding corals yet.

Techniques

As with many things in life the best way to be successful is to develop an efficient routing and stick with it. With so much to do, water changes, blasting live rock, replacing carbon, feeding, algae scraping, cleaning filters, trying to setup a schedule that is productive yet spreads the tasks over an effective time period is important. Spending 5 hours in one day per week maintaining a tank leads to burnout and lax maintainence. For me a few minutes each day on a different task is much easier and sustainable. Developing that schedule is a whole different story which I am still working on!


So, what are some of your successes and failures in equipment purchases, tank setups, and techniques?

Happy Reefing

 

For example, I started out using Maxi-Jet powerheads in my tank due to the lower cost.

dont throw out that maxi jet.. buy the sure-flow kit and upgrade that little pump into a nice wave maker.. my 196gph maxi-jet600 is now putting out around 1400gph after the kit upgrade.. for only $20 bucks

 

When my tank was given to me, it was almost three years old and the original owner put some nice high-priced pieces of equipment in; lights, sump, etc. I wanted more flow, adding two Koralia 3s, better heater, repositioning the light kit, making chamber in sump into fuge, modifying protein skimmer, switching phos. reactor media, adding carbon, just a few things that work well for me right now.