Growing up, my father taught me a lot of things but for some reason the main one that sticks out in my mind is:
"Measure twice; Cut Once."
The quote is in reference to cutting wood. Once you make a cut you cant undo it, so it is very important to make sure that your measurements are correct before doing so.
Aside from building your odd tank stand here and there I rarely have use for this quote in my life today but I've come to realize it can be related to many other things. For me, the main one being when I am setting up a new aquarium.
I can't tell you how many times I've gone into a new build with no idea of what I was planning on coming out with, or with just a random jumble of plants that i didn't really think too hard about when purchasing and almost inevitably what happens?
I hate the outcome.
I usually end up leaving it set up for a few months during which time I don't even want to look at it and when I do, I feel disappointed. Eventually I start to slack on maintenance because I don't enjoy it and that just compounds the issues I already have and this vicious spiral begins that ends with me tearing the whole thing down and starting over. Sometimes I go into the next build with no plan again and the pattern continues.
Until, that is, I started going into every build with an idea of what I wanted in the end already in my head.
Today I like to think of everything from the placement of the tank; if there is a window near by I know I will need a thick background and lots of fast growing plants to out-compete algae; to what my choice of hardscape might do to the water parameters, to the types of fish and plants that will be in it and what my current life schedule will allow for me to devote to maintenance.
Sometimes I'll even read an aquascaping book or look at images online to get inspiration.
These are all things that, when added together, will contribute to the success or failure of a new tank. They will decide the outcome and we all want it to be a success.
So plan twice and scape once. Your mental health will thank you.