My Top 5 Reef Aquarium Mistakes

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

You can keep aquariums for 30 years and still make these mistakes. . Like leaving water running/ draining and forgetting. Great video.

[@leviburns89]

Dee From Brooklyn leaving my rodi system running has flooded my basement 4 times lol.

[@eldridgehenry2]

damn it man you are scaring me i am a newby still buying equipment, lol

[@firebirdude2]

Only advice I can give you on that topic Eldridge Henry, don't skimp on the safety/auto shut-off features. This IS NOT a cheap hobby. It's expensive even if you skimp out. But skimping on an auto shut-off, auto top-off, controller, probe, heater, test kit, pump, etc etc etc can cause thousands of dollars in housing damage/dead livestock. Can't tell you how many "0.1% chances" have actually become a real life nightmares for me. It happens to us all, as Levi Burns just told you. I've lost 80% of my livestock once, probably 50% another time and flooded rooms more times than I can count. Start keeping a big tank for years and the mistakes add up.

[@eldridgehenry2]

firebirdude2 thanks homie for the information

[@TheFxdstudios]

Flooded my basement with rodi two days ago 😂

[@kennypartridge1853]

Hello from the UK🇬🇧 I'm not a massive commentator on non-UK videos but yours and Reefbuilders are by far the most informative reef related videos out there. For this I salute you 👍😎 But as a Brit who worked with the US military for 4 years both in Europe and the Middle East, I fully understand why you used Miss Saltwater Tank as your voiceover........ she was awesome and greatly missed. I had a few chats with her a while back, I do hope you're still in touch. Brit Reefer Chicks Rock1🤘 Anyhoow(anyway) keep up the good work. I love your honest and info packed content. Carry on being awesome.😎

[@Berbs73]

People would be amazed to see how simple my filtration is on my 75G reef. Many people go way overboard.

[@danielnguyen148]

That's me right now. I only have a protien skimmer and now I'm looking for a small hob refugium on my 55g. Its week one in my cycling right now

[@Berbs73]

Daniel Nguyen You’re probably gonna wish you went bigger on the tank size.

[@ebayguru6416]

Nice use of Miss Saltwatertanks voice over...very calming and instructive video thanks

[@RookieReefer]

Very good advice Than, especially having spare equipment on hand/design. Keep up the videos, always enjoy.

[@edson.jerez1982]

Rookie Reefer what salt do you use? and why

[@RookieReefer]

I'm in Australia so salts are a little more limited over here.. I used Blue Treasure Sps salt, it's cheap and have had good results.

[@JuanContreras-ch4pn]

Dude! You get better each time! I've had a tank a little over a year and your videos are very educational, I appreciate you!

[@williambryant2055]

Cheers on the great videos on this channel. No matter how long we've been enjoying the hobby, you can always learn something new from someone else

[@DJ_LittlePea]

Well done indeed this was a great video and Louise did a great did a great job with narration 🤗

[@donjuan1718]

Miss Saltwater Tank doing the narration 🖒

[@PrestigeReef]

lol Thank you :) x

[@DJ_LittlePea]

Miss Saltwater tank thought you deserved a mention and a link in the description box personally 🤗

[@DeeFromBrooklyn]

PsychedelicBabe That's why the video sounded so official..

[@jarrodspeed532]

I knew that beautiful voice at #1 your future children will have beautiful dreams when you read them to sleep

[@nicknathu5981]

OK so here's a story, I got home one day from school and my grandmother said that my parents had saw a nice fish and bought it for me. My heart dropped because I thought they bought a giant angel trigger or tank for my 29g biocube, and I walked in to see not a giant fish.....3 GIANT BLUE HIPPOS...AND A FLAME SCALLOP......

[@brandonezdoofenshmirtz2916]

I feel legitimately bad for you, did you return them?

[@pauldeacon8764]

Hi! Great video!I'm very lazy with the testing the water because I think everything will be alright if I do a water change once a week!! 😀

[@chrism.ingalls4883]

I would put a emphasis on fish quarantine as well. My collection of tangs(5) were all in quarantine for 90 days and treated with copper before introducing them to my main display. It sucks but you must do it. Far too often i see people with no quarantine system and in the end, have a parasite outbreak resulting in death of your fish.

[@Forgetii]

There is nothing worse than watching your tank go up in flames after adding a coral that looked fine only to find out it had a nasty little hitchhiker.

[@igotthatdank]

great video

[@rainingmackenzie]

Another Superbbbbbb Video Mr T

[@JLards]

When you rent with other people and you return home to find they have bought and put something in your reef OMFG!

[@Supern0va28]

Amazing greenhouse! Its really neat and nice! Godbless you more! Thanks for the help

[@RogueAquariums]

great video. I ran across the same issues when keeping and raising New world cichlids for 20yrs before making the switch to saltwater 2 yrs ago. thank you for the input. 🖒

[@texasreeferusa922]

wow! Great video. My 1st Mandarin Goby taught me...Do the research!!! Early 90's. so sad

[@Greego]

Picked up two of them about a month ago. I was up for the challenge but now I am getting a little tired of farming copepods and spending so much money on Phytoplankton...all for two little fish.

[@johnbrehm4894]

I love miss salt water narrating 👍

[@PrestigeReef]

:) x

[@blakeboschetti2726]

@@TheTeddy9212 Seriously bro?

[@ScottM]

great video Than and a lot of those items fill my list. The other thing is people rush to change something they perceive as a problem without giving it a chance to actually work. Another is the rush to fill a system with tech toys that nasty not be needed.

[@firebirdude2]

#3 is something that bit me when I first started and then was at the top of my list in newer builds.

[@finpafine]

Thanks for the great tips

[@tristanbeligan6242]

I saw you on Outrageous Acts of Science!!!!!

[@tidalgardens]

Awesome. I didn't realize that episode aired already. Do you know what that episode was called? I haven't seen the clip yet.

[@QTC7]

Great advice!!!

[@Freytraz]

WORKSPACE! Learned the hardway to think well on the workspace. With saltwater, freshwater, my pond and garden and though i had thought enough about workspace. Naive mistake. Maybe now i will plan better my next project

[@Francisramirez83]

Flossing is the best analogy for testing ur water lol

[@w4ngsta]

Ive definately made mistake #5. The electric flame scalop was just so tempting! I guess Im a sucker

[@bestplans9051]

LOL good and true things. Pumps and heater backups ;)!

[@jarrodspeed532]

Than please ship to Canada soon

[@Mr.Glitch]

Hah, this is very much like my new years resolutions video. So many things i need to get on top of!

[@zmccllc2096]

Based off of past experience and Miss Saltwater's videos, how about a back up power supply? (If the power goes out, something that will keep the filter and pumps going) Just got back into reefing and am researching viable options.

[@shawnriv9]

I feel your pain. I increased my Mg the other day for the first time and did it way too quickly. All my SPS died. My biggest screw up yet.

[@bilyanapopova1341]

We are certainly guilty of quite a few of these mistakes. And yes we did buy a blueberry gorgonian (like the one you show) without doing any research because we could not resist its beauty. It is not doing well (surprise surprise). It no longer opens, has lots of brown stuff covering it. Can you suggest where to look for information on what to do? Many thanks! Your videos are great!

[@feliciafox4205]

I guess I'm a little strange because I love doing water changes! It's my time to interact with my tanks. I have fresh water tanks that I do 30% water changes every week. I have just gotten my 1st salt water tank that is a month old. My question is can I do a weekly water change even if my parameters are all fine? Can I do any harm by doing un-needed water changes? My fresh water tanks love the consistency.

[@lilolmecj]

Ya, I know I need to buy a back up pump....but it all gets expensive. I do have redundant heaters and could pop on over the edge filters if my pump fails. I really can only have one tank plus a quarantine tank, I can’t get behind, but I tried to be very thoughtful when putting together my stand and sump. So far, my new tank has been up for three months, I went from 55 gallon to 120 .

[@eldridgehenry2]

what are some other things you wouldnt have in your system? you mentioned the flame scallop.

[@sydneykatef]

Thank you

[@shainoelcline6874]

I had my reef tank for a few months before I really understood how to accurately read the water tests, so I did test, but basically guessed when it came to dosing. I still sometimes don't measure the exact amount of what I'm dosing..

[@jeroromouse9699]

OMG Mrs Saltwater's voice shock me!😊

[@PrestigeReef]

lol...did you think it was Than at first? ;)

[@jeroromouse9699]

Its a good thing though... Than's voices makes me wanna sleep and Mrs Saltwater's voice refreshes and helps me come back to my senses😀

[@jeroromouse9699]

Miss Saltwater tank

[@BramboBuckley]

I have had my flame scallop almost a year now. He’s doing great.

[@dje7335]

I am better than I was however I still make this mistake; The "temporary fix/ modification". A plumbing change with intents to return to it and do what I know needs to be done innevitably kills a whole day doing a clean up...

[@AlxJrz401]

Sup Than, everyone succumbs to *L.A.R.S. at some point. I have to say this video touches on subjects we similarly share. To stay on point, one of my mistakes has been " the new product " craze. I always want to try the latest greatest products ( salt, probiotics, food, equipment etc...) and in the end subject my corals to unnecessary stress. Its something I am working on correcting but with the advancement in knowledge & technology in this hobby changes almost daily it seems. I find it difficult without doing it yourself and finding those results personally. By the way I have a huge CRUSH on Miss Saltwater Tank and thank you both for making reef keeping community so informed. (Lazy Ass Reefer Syndrome)

[@auroramasters]

Top mistake I made : Do some changes in my sump while the return pump still runing, or turn on the pump not long after that. Did that mistake 3 times, lose 1 tang each time...

[@santuymen5688]

Ada ig om pengen nanya 2 tentang reef aquarium :D

[@DavidTheMechanic]

wow you're in collaboration with mrs. saltwater fish tank

[@PrestigeReef]

We've done a couple before :) x

[@Greego]

You two are a nice one-two punch of nice, soothing voices that is easy listening.

[@ericwilliams626]

I use Fluval U4s only and a protein skimmer. That U4's never stop running, never fail. NEVER. If you put a seachem purigen pouch in the filter, you will have nice clear clean water. That filter lasts forever. just rinse out every 3 months. If you have a huge tank consider a sump but they are a waste of money in my opinion.

[@grind1730]

What test kit would you recommend for water testing?

[@MarylandWearAndCarry]

You mentioned how your dissatisfaction with various pump models over time has left you with many models across your system prohibiting you from having a universal backup model. Currently what make/model pumps do you find to be most reliable and efficient. Thank you.

[@tidalgardens]

Unfortunately the pump I find most reliable is the least efficient. My favorite pump right now is a Japanese made Iwaki 100. In this application, I can't be worried about efficiency if a 1,000 gallon system's return pump fails.

[@MarylandWearAndCarry]

I figured that trying to strike a balance would raise the risk of failure to an unacceptable level. Thanks for you response.

[@MrPaulviles]

Wow! Isn't that Miss Saltwater Tank a total babe! She is like the best fruit at the top of the tree!

[@davidbarber9892]

In the UK we have people selling anemones which are from the Atlantic, selling on ebay. They are very invasive and clown fish will not host them.

[@jaymoss4257]

at 8:30 you say that tube anemones like to eat fish; have you personally had any incidents? i've had one for over a year and had no problems

[@squawk7777]

Mine problem is not testing MG then wondering why my ALK and CAL start dropping and increase the dose. Maybe one day the Apex will be able to live monitor ALK, CA, and MG then dose accordingly.

[@flaviodesignaquariums1690]

can you make a video on the copper band butterfly?

[@svetliopopgeorgiev2999]

I found it very easy to convince my lfs staff I can take care of a flame scallop. I mean, I’ve read everything about them, had a plan ready and they were going to sell. And then I realised I don’t actually want the hassle. 🙀

[@edson.jerez1982]

speaking of water changes, 150gl is a lot. what salt do you use and would you recomend it for the average reefer?

[@tidalgardens]

We have a lot of tanks here so it's not as much as you might think. We use Omega Sea's salt mainly for convenience. I've used it now for a couple years and I like it fine.

[@TheCoralReefTalk]

I try to test my tank once a week but yeah, Testing my tank is definitely one of mine.

[@ElectricBlues4life]

#5 can't be more true. I don't think most LFS' would be in business if people made informed purchases and did their due diligence.

[@shazzataz]

I think my mistake is being to obsessive I never miss a water change a water test or maintenance on my tank but I still have issues recently it was nitrates then I found hubby feeding the fish and over feeding them I think my point is I spend so much time making sure everything that can be done is I don't get the time to enjoy it

[@aquariosdinamicos]

My biggest mistake: I moved up the deep sand substrate of my tank (200 liters) and the sulphurous compound naturally produced by the anaerobic activity of bacteria, trapped in the sand was released. This killed all my livestock and I did no realise why. The lesson was, use a platform filter for deep sand substrate or be extremely careful when moving anything in the tank.

[@locksmith9580]

Why does nobody keep flame scallops? 8:04

[@Davelembo]

Buying the same color zoa frag because they look great in the store. My light is crap

[@tidalgardens]

That still happens to me. Some corals I see look great at the store and not so great in my tank.

[@tvaliulis]

Things you speak is right to spot.

[@goldslinger]

If You don’t want to do a water change, you better invest in a lot of equip. and a lot of knowledge

[@wombraider091]

Flow! The. wrong flow is deadly, by the right wavemakers and powerheads for your tank! Treating YOURSELF to a nice expensive powerheads can be a lethal mistake to your corals that have too much power.

[@mrbondgirl007]

How did you end up doing what you do? Do you have a degree in marine biology?

[@tidalgardens]

It was a hobby of mine for a long time and I turned it into a business.

[@jakecarpenter6246]

I hate testing Calcium, Magnesium, and alkalinity. THEY MAKE THOSE TESTS SO TEDIOUS!!!! the test is complicated to calculate the results. The instructions just don't click in my head.

[@joelgodinez1873]

LOL I have done prob 2 water tests in the last year and my mini reef tank is alive and thriving. I guess its the water changes every two weeks.

[@maddawgzzzz]

I do water changed 1 per month on my reef. 500ppm nitrtate is safe for fish.

[@jaysreef5721]

lol soon as water testing came up I was like ugh......I need to test lol. but still doing bimonthly water changes (flossing style of course). OK time to go clean skimmer lol

[@Francisramirez83]

Lol

[@gdayreefing1768]

👌

[@jakecarpenter6246]

Oh by the way, your my hero! LOL

[@massdagod]

you are. You're. YOU ARE. Not "YOUR".

[@SethEssington]

I need to get a backup pump.

[@matthewlu150]

Add ''ft. Miss saltwater tank" to the video title and get more video views lol.

[@EasyReefers]

yo... great vid, as always. my biggest mistake afte 30 years: breeding clownfish without enough growout tanks. lol want some? seriously... anyone want a frikkin true perc? lmao

[@matthewsprung3173]

My mistake was simply thinking I owned my reef when thats obviously not the case. Technology has helped out but in the end I'm still just the errand boy.

[@ifoolishone9777]

water changes, or lack of, then tank crash, (sigh) freshwater was so much easier....

[@LAWSICK1]

my biggest mistake is not having a extra water heater ...

[@kylamamber9080]

LAWSICK1 😁😊😆

[@tranger4579]

Amen to that, one of my first and biggest mistakes.

[@texasreeferusa922]

check valves, check valves, check valves. Need I say more?!

[@1luis4wero]

I don't test at all I hate it and my tank is is great and corals I only check salinity

[@igotthatdank]

do a water change today in fact. lol

[@BC-fy1wn]

How-a-bout bkup pwr.?Very important in climes where temps are trending high,FLA.,or low ,the Arctic circle.LOLBC

[@maddawgzzzz]

I floss one every month, or when something is legit stuck in my teeth. 1% believe that. Who the hell has time to floss when we have fish to feed?

[@daedrmr2dae]

#4 water changes: Searching around YT I found several people who absolutely swear off water changes altogether: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmiam3RtesegodE They solve the problem instead with an algae scrubber (see e.g. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnm1hZusp82Dl80 ), these scrubbers seem to work like magic for the people using them. I have 2 tanks and I'm thinking I'll try the scrubber in one of them with little to no water changes.

[@ericmiller2582]

im number 5 lol you could have told me straight up

[@ct2368]

Moving too fast.

[@pro-methean4121]

I never floss lol, it's not really necessary if you brush and rinse properly