If you had a chance what would you do different

[bkvreef]

I presently have a 110g and will be upgrading to a 210g soon.
What I want to know is this: IF you had a chance to do it all over again what would you change?

 

[mr_x]

i would have ordered a deeper tank from front to back. i currently have a 5' tank that is 30" from front to back. it sounds like it's plenty deep., but i'd like another 6". i would also have ordered a tank with external overflows. my 2 overflows take up alot of room. (i ordered my tank from glass cages).
i also was in such a hurry that i forgot to put a single union in all of my plumbing. now if my pumps quit on me, i'll have to saw them out of the pvc. DOH!
one last thing- my tank is 25" deep. i would have made it about 22 or so...less water to penetrate for the lighting, and less bruising in the armpits every time i have to reach the sand bed!

 

[corallover23]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2604411
i would have ordered a deeper tank from front to back. i currently have a 5' tank that is 30" from front to back. it sounds like it's plenty deep., but i'd like another 6". i would also have ordered a tank with external overflows. my 2 overflows take up alot of room. (i ordered my tank from glass cages).
i also was in such a hurry that i forgot to put a single union in all of my plumbing. now if my pumps quit on me, i'll have to saw them out of the pvc. DOH!
one last thing- my tank is 25" deep. i would have made it about 22 or so...less water to penetrate for the lighting, and less bruising in the armpits every time i have to reach the sand bed!
lol last part

 

[tizzo]

BAH Mr X, mines 29 inches tall!!

I CAN'T reach the sandbed.
I knew better! But I set it up anyway.
So if I had to start over...again

I would definately get a shallower tank.
I'd also put the chiller outside.
Use a lot less sand than what I did (but I'm working on correcting that a little each week).

 

[prime311]

I would've put more baffles between my overflow drain and my return pump and kept my skimmer in that area. Right now I'm stuck with bubbles that will probably never go away unless I tear my whole sump and plumbing apart.

 

[namas05]

If I could go back in time and start over, i would have started with a bigger tank, and better lighting.
Oh and I would not have let the Xenia get so out of hand, any one want some cheap,lol

 

[spiderwoman]

I'm already wishing our 150 had been shallower. It's that darn 28 inches deep. I would have loved to have more depth front-to-back too. I can already see that as well and our 150 doesn't have any water in it yet.

 

[mr_x]

Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2604465
BAH Mr X, mines 29 inches tall!!

I CAN'T reach the sandbed.
what do you do if you have to reach the bottom....use a snorkel?

 

[nordy]

I would have started out with sand instead of cc, and gone for a wider (front to back) tank than my 55 long, but hey it was free. About the only free thing I have gotten in this hobby

 

[dkfloyd]

Oh and I would not have let the Xenia get so out of hand, any one want some cheap,lol
What is your idea of cheap?

 

[tizzo]

Originally Posted by Mr_X
http:///forum/post/2605145
what do you do if you have to reach the bottom....use a snorkel?

I thought about it but the halides burn me when I try to tip myself into the tank, and believe me.. I've tried.
Nah I use the coralife grabbers. They are a life saver! Gently enough to puck up a balled up anemone and strong enough to lift a 10 lb rock!

 

[t316]

I would have budgeted more time in my schedule. I had no idea that a 280 would consume so much. Not meaning that it is all neccesary, but I can't keep myself away from it.
More time...

 

[t316]

.....and I'll add, I should have budgeted more $$$$$$$$$. Bigger is better, but bigger is more expensive, on everything. Anyone who says different is lying to you.

 

[schnutzzy]

As addictave and expensive as swf is I think I would have taken up crack, it would be cheaper. LOL