What's the BEST decision you've made for your tank?

[leigh]

Hey all...we always get these depressing 'what's the worst decision you made' threads...I thought a 'best decision' thread could be equally educational but less morbid!
For me, my best decision (and I know this sounds cliche) was returning my BTA. My tank has never looked better. I bought a bunch more rock with the money from the BTA and have really filled in a lot of bare spots that had to be empty before for fear that the anemone would sting/kill stuff.
How 'bout you?

 

[ryebread]

Best decision would have to be my RO/DI unit.........water is where the quality starts.

 

[thomas712]

Joining a forum just like this and not just taking the advice of an LFS, and reading a book on salt tanks.
Thomas

 

[slick]

Taking my tank down. LOL

 

[ilove2ride]

Getting a QT early on- saved A LOT of fish lives.

 

[ekclark]

I echo Thomas...but as for hardware/living stuff I think adding a refuge. Pods all over the place, lower trates, and a whole new world to keep an eye on.

 

[richard rendos]

Drilling it!
Along with RO/DI, MH, VHO, ER skimmer, chiller, and calcium reactor.

 

[nm reef]

I'd have to say a series of steps ... first was coming here and asking basics questions and starting to gain the knowledge needed to develope a reef system. Second was the addition of a refugium system...third was developing a sump with my Euroreef CS6-2 skimmer& Magdrive 12 return pump.
Next will be a larger display and lighting up-grades....eventually a calcium reactor.
Bottom line though is this hobby has been far more rewarding than I ever could have dreamed.

 

[beth]

DSB
DSB
DSB
Been the best thing for my tank, and the best thing for me.

 

[a&m aggie 04']

i think my best decision was to listen to everyone and be patient. One reason was the cost but I know lots of ppl that hear know better but just cant wait, ending up in deaths or money spent that could have been avoided. Being a college student, not working and being solely dependent of my parents for money i think my tank has developed nicely. The only thing i would like, just as everyone does is a larger tank. When i graduate and get settled in a house, ill have my 100+ gallon tank. Thanks again to everyone for the advice along the way.
Mark

 

[cboyfan2020]

breaking down the tank when I knew I couldnt give them the proper care.

 

[leigh]

Cboy and slick...geez I feel for you guys
I'm liking this thread--it's amazing how many things I wish I'd done different at the start! (Or wish I could afford to do different, eg metal halides)

 

[wrassecal]

Best thing for my tank? Well we got the tank first, a Christmas present and had no idea about the hobby. So the best thing I've done is get into the hobby in the first place. Research, meet people, join this forum and over the last year and a half have a fascinating, ever changing, educational, relaxing, challenging, rewarding hobby that I share with my husband

 

[shep]

My best was when I went from my 2 55's to the 125 and got my CPR Cyclone and threw away those contraptions of sumps I had. Is all I can say is silent and efficent.

 

[tangman99]

I with Beth, the deep sand bed was by far the best decision as I had crushed coral at the start.

 

[timsedwards]

2 things:
1) finding this board!
2) My Ro/DI Unit
Tim.

 

[sammystingray]

No doubt whatsoever as to the best thing I've done for my tank......researching online. Reading books is second, but the vast amount of information online is impossible to fit in a book. Talking with a bunch of like thinking hobbiests keeps my interest peaked as well. The biggest change other than that was finally realizing that tanks needed serious water movement, and that one or two mediocre powerheads on my old 75 would produce nothing but algaes and low oxygen. Taking the time to research was easily the best thing I've done.....actually, still do.

 

[fishman88]

starting it

 

[jrein40806]

Finding this board
I was going to give up after a few weeks because of a bunch of jerky lfs.But then I found this board and I decided to return my 75 and upgrade to a 125. The advice on this board is priceless!!
Thanks everybody for the help