If you could do it over....What would you do differently?

[fresh_newby]

OK so many of you have gotten a nice handle on the world of aquatic plants. It is always helpful to newbies to have a thread like this to refer to so they don't make some of the same mistakes that we all have in the beginning. Don't be afraid to lay it on the line....

I will start with...If I could do it again, I would have forgone the show acrylic 90 gal and gotten a glass ADA tank that is a little wider and less tall. Acrylic scratches easily <especially when you have Plecos> and the height, though is beautiful to showcase a lot of fauna and flora, is a Pain in the butt to rescape as you need a ladder and you are up to your armpits in water and substrate....oh my aching back~ :dive2:

 

[Gatorguy]

I have a 110g tall. I feel your stretching pains :dive2:

 

[bkw1982]

i would plan out everything alot more. equipment, live stock, plants, and location of tank. im happy with wht i have but ive wasted alot of money gettin to the bottom, and i feel like my tank isn't up to par after 7mths of setup. i think alot of hardship can be avoided if u plan well and do ur research, which is prob the biggest problem :cool2: of us noobs. but hey i havent lost any fish lol

 

[Mgamer20o0]

put every plant i got in a holding tank to make sure there wasnt any duckweed. duckweed maybe the death of me. not get the fluval filter that has made me go crazy.

there is a couple things i dont like about my tank which with some work i can change. i want to build a new canopy. the openings are a little to small and its a couple inch too high.

 

[epicfish]

Tips for newbies:
1) Get the right substrate. Flourite, Eco-Complete, ADA AquaSoil, sand, etc...SMALL substrate.
2) Get decent lighting from the start.
3) If you're hitting 2.5 WPG, get pressurized CO2.
4) Again, if you're hitting 2+ WPG, you better fertilize.
5) Buy Excel. Either for regular dosing or for spot treatments and OD treatments.

I made a $30 mistake with point #1. I have to replace all my crap gravel out for some nice ADA AquaSoil now. =)

 

[fishcatch22]

i'd get a nice, deep bed of flourite and not this crappy blue gravel.

other than that, i'm pleased with how it's gone down.

 

[icecubez189]

probably all the money i've used on equipment and decor that i either regret buying or don't use alltogether. would've saved me a lot of money, money that could've been used on my fish. other than that, i like the way its going and i hope it stays that way.

 

[reiverix]

I would have went compressed CO2 from the start. Planted heavier and been more liberal with dosing. I was pretty close to throwing all my stuff away at one point.

 

[fresh_newby]

Epic and reverix....very good points. I can't stress this enough for newbies reading....
BKW another great point. I had my tank for 4 months before putting a drop of water in it. Doing the research and getting it right the first time will save you a lot more money than jumping into something for the purpose of trying to save money, and cutting the wrong corners or missing a sequence that will cost you plants or fish. Be patient.....read old threads, read tom barr's pages read rex grigg's pages...read chuck gadds pages...look at some of the AGA's contest photos....so much info out there, that patience will reward you with success....

 

[reiverix]

And if you start getting algae, go in and hit it hard. Fierce looks won't make it go away. Harsh language doesn't work either. I've tried