The one thing I would do differently is?

[rocketlily]

I have only had my 20 gal tank for a couple of weeks, changed things many times and already looking at a 90 gal, I would like to know what things others have done with their tanks that they wish they would have done differently if they could do them over.

[christyf5]

I started with a 20 gal as well and almost immediately went to a larger tank. I wish I had started with RODI water from the very beginning and had more patience

[sharuq1]

Me too on that one Christy. I also would have gotten a bigger tank, and a sump. Much more flexibility than the biocube I started out with.

[Snappy]

If I could have a "do-over" I would go at least 300 gal and get 400 w MH's right off. I would also build a fish room before I added the first drop of water.

[BCOrchidGuy]

I would have built my overflow box big enough to get my hand in, thought about room under my cabinet better as it's difficult to work in. I did go for excellent quality light and it's paid off, I like the size of aquarium I got this time, I've had bigger and smaller but I like this one. I would have spent more time sizing the live rock, it's hard to clean around it where it touches the sides.
When I first started I didn't use a QT tank, and I overstocked seriously. Now I QT everything, corals fish etc... I don't over feed and I don't over stock. My 60 gallon cube has 3 clowns in it, a few shrimp and a number of snails. It's a year old and I will soon be adding a fox face for algae control.

Doug

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by christyf5

I started with a 20 gal as well and almost immediately went to a larger tank. I wish I had started with RODI water from the very beginning and had more patience

I second that, bigger is always better. I went from a 65g and a 15g to a 120g and a 30g cube to a 230g.

[marie]

If I went straight to a 175g tank I doubt I would have even got into the hobby. It's one thing to spend $100 here and $500 there upgrading (I refuse to think of how many hundreds and five hundreds I've actually spent) but the cost of setting up a large tank straight off would of scared me silly

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by marie

If I went straight to a 175g tank I doubt I would have even got into the hobby. It's one thing to spend $100 here and $500 there upgrading (I refuse to think of how many hundreds and five hundreds I've actually spent) but the cost of setting up a large tank straight off would of scared me silly

I totally agree, I only ended up upgrading because suddenly my 48gallon cichlid tank looked much better if I pictured it as a reef and then I got a 90 gallon tank for $75. At that point I thought $30 for a fish was expensive, now I know better

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by marie

If I went straight to a 175g tank I doubt I would have even got into the hobby. It's one thing to spend $100 here and $500 there upgrading (I refuse to think of how many hundreds and five hundreds I've actually spent) but the cost of setting up a large tank straight off would of scared me silly

Good point.

[Zylumn]

Originally Posted by christyf5

I started with a 20 gal as well and almost immediately went to a larger tank. I wish I had started with RODI water from the very beginning and had more patience

ditto here as well