If I knew then what I know now!

[WoodRight]

OK I'm looking for 2 things.

#1 Like the title says I would like to start a list of thing that you have gone threw that " If you knew then what you know now" and what would you do different?

#2 We are about to get our first fish for our new 75gal tank that will be going into QT before into the DT. I was wondering if you can tell me, if this was your tank, what would be the first fish you would buy and why?

Please post only once per question per post. Thanks you guys and please post. I would love to hear all your answers.

[Ace25]

1. Listen to the advice of others more closely and not think that I 'may know a better, cheaper way' to do it. Or think 'I may be the exception to the rule'.

2. Yellow watchman, because they are very hardy and you will more than likely have zero issues with this fish. Plus they come out to the front most of the day, sitting just outside their holes and will sit there and watch you watch it. :) BTW, there are MANY different types of clowns, it really depends on which type for me. I would advise against a Maroon, but recommend a percula or picasso if you have the $.

[lferg]

Honestly.. Be a LOT more patient. But tht seems to be impossible.

[WoodRight]

We were looking at percula but we really like picasso's. We might wait to get the Clown's and get the picasso's.

[WoodRight]

Honestly.. Be a LOT more patient. But tht seems to be impossible.

Thanks for the post but you didn't say what fish you like and way.

[irishspy]

I'm a freshwater person, but I plan to have a salty tank someday. :headbang2:

My first choice is the yellow watchman, They're both beautiful and have a lot of personality.

[lferg]

I like a Queen angel because they are the epitome of beauty..

[Robin Alv]

I would have gone with larger than my 37 gallon and done a sump. No money to re-do and I still do like it, just not the limitations. The longer space not only is good for the fish, but makes a more beautiful reef.

For fish, I love the firefish. Mine was extremely shy for about three weeks but now comes out of his cave for a few hours at a time. There is a certain elegance to the fish and I love the way mine follows me from side to side of the tank (looking for the next meal).

[wantvws]

1. I wish I would have done it right and built a sump for the initial set up, because I can only squeeze a 30g tank under my stand, where I could have dropped a 75 through the top initially. So I guess that falls under what Ace said.
2. Clowns...although I would get a pair. I like my ocellaris clowns...they are very personable and don't vanish as soon as come into the room. I think I could probably hand feed these little guys.
Robbie

[alpha123]

The tank color is kinda confusing to me. I guess that is where the Indian ocean meets the Pacific.
Beautiful colors, though.

[Amphiprion]

I would have gone with a tank that was at least 24" wide (maybe even 30"), which would have provided much more depth and realism to the tank.

Clownfish. What can I say, I am a sucker for clowns. A clownfish was my first fish and I had her for over 12 years--I get attached.

[Grins]

I'd have joined my reef club before I purchased anything.

[salty420]

if you are getting all of the fish on that list i would get the firefish first no question about it! it is by far the most timid and most likely to get picked on so it should go in first. followed by the goby, then the RG, then the clowns. i assume tho that that is not your complete stock list..? i'd have it completely figured out so you can get everything in the tank in proper order personally.

[WoodRight]

The tank color is kinda confusing to me. I guess that is where the Indian ocean meets the Pacific.
Beautiful colors, though.

The colors are different because we are just using some old lights that we had for now until we get our fixture. One is a florescent and one incandescent.

Thank you everyone that posted and for those who haven't please do.

Also when we get the clowns they will be a pair.

[missc4]

I would not have listened too my family so much and just done what I wonted to start with.AND I would have listened to this board more when they said go large,you will end up going large any how so just start out large.I didn't believe that and started a 28 gallon within a few months I upgraded to a 135 gallon.

And if it were me,I would go with a Picasso..I adore mine he is my favorite in the tank and then one with the most personality.

[mandy21]

I would have gone for a bigger tank for my 2nd tank, 75g is just not big enough by any means for what I want. I'm glad I got the 30 gallon when I started (it was freshwater with a betta in it lol). However, that will be the first one to go when I move and upgrade. I have a lot of money invested in my 3 tanks, when it would have probably cost a bit less to just go with a much larger tank.

and I'm not sure what you're asking, but I agree with salty to try to get a rough idea of what fish or the types of fish you'd want then go from there. For example, say you want a dwarf angel but aren't sure what kind, put that in the list somewhere since most would follow the same rules for ideal time to add to the stocking.

[rdfriend]

1. Avoid the impulse buy! I have done it a few times and although I haven't personally regretted it yet I have heard horror stories and can see where it can be a bad idea. I bought a flame scallop last Sept. and even though it is still alive and seems to be as healthy as possible, after researching it after the fact I wish I would have held off and am surprised it hasn't died. Actually after over a year of my tank being up and running I have had few problems and those that I have had I have been able to take care of fairly easy and quickly. But I obsess and digress.

2. I agree that a lot depends on your ultimate stocking plans but I do love my perculas!

[animalman]

I would have added LS when I started and not waited to now to do it.

As far as fish go I'm might be the wrong one to ask cause all I have is a pair of clowns. The pair in my avatar is them. I love em. Though I have to say that the yellow watchman is very cool too. Which ever fish you go with the only thing I would say to do for sure is to see the fish eat before you buy it. Good luck

[pistolpete3521]

Ok, classic clowns because I like the way they swim/wiggle and no reef is complete without them.:perv:

[DeeSeven]

1. everyone basically said everything that I would have said. Just to touch on a few more things tho...DO NOT IMPULSE BUY!!! I know it's hard but I work at my lfs and I see it happen almost every day and within usually a week they are back to get "another really cool fish". RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH!!!!!!!! join your local reef club, read (don't buy) the books are borders and books or barnes and noble lol honestly more then half of my knowledge comes from reading books and asking questions that pertain to the things I've read. And above all ASK THE BOARD ANYTHING lol seriously we have some very very knowledgeable people on here that give out some of the best advice I've read in a while

2. Watchman BY FAR...clownfish are cool but again there's such a variety of them you want to pick 1 that will suit your tank plus not be a pain in the *** like some can be. Firefish I wouldn't do just yet they are great fish but again just imo I'd go with Watchman

[nycsicktank]

1-i wish i did little bit more research on skimmer
2-i wish i did BB instead of DSB(waste of money)
3-watch what you buy from others!