about over the edge

[spscrazy]

this is not something I would usually share but today I really feel like just crying or screaming or something. this isn't a boo hoo cry for me post normally I keep everything bottled up inside & just deal with things. One thing I really like is to make other people laugh but today I think I need some laughs myself. for the last 5 years I have been dealing with the fall out of a alcholic drug addicted husband several cars totalled, several rehabs & last Dec. 1 DUI he's been sober for 4 months but I never know how each day will turn out. my tank has been where I turn to take my mind off things it's a mixed reef and certainly has been a challenge. I have to scrimp & save for anything I get. this club has helped alot I enjoy your ups & feel for you with your downs. 2 weeks ago I finally saved up a bit of money to place a small order for some tiny frags off of a vendor here they were wysiwyg when the order came in they were not the ones I ordered I emailed them & they sent new ones but they were not the wysiwyg ones I ordered either. all came in a muddy brown color one rtn within 48 hrs. I started a thread about it yesterday wondering since it wasn't bone white but a yellow green would it maybe come back today I thought I would get out the magnifyer & take a close look to see if there was indeed any reason to hope for it. while looking I noticed the other frags are all covered in red bugs. I had dipped them in reef dip by seachem when they came in but guess it doesn't work on red bugs. I can't believe how hard I worked to save the $$ for this just to buy bug infested brown frags. someone here please give me a few laughs so I don't just throw the entire contents of this tank in the yard!

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I'm sorry for your struggles. As the single parent of a special-needs child, I too often call on the "respite" properties of my reef. The good news is, the red bugs (if you end up with them) are easily eliminated with Interceptor. In the grand scheme of things, nothing that can't be overcome.

Deep breath - Hang in there ;)

 

[soccerbag]

Yes, I agree with the deep breaths. I can see how, on top of your other "circumstances", this could be quite stressful. However, I would venture to guess that just about everyone who has ever kept SPS has dealt with redbugs at one time or another. As far as SPS pests go, I would choose this one in a heartbeat over some of the others. Interceptor works beautifully on them and should not be too expensive to acquire. You may be able to find another reefer in your area who may have a pill or two extra to spare.

SPS typically will come back and color back up after treatment as long as they are alive before treatment. Keep in mind that SPS can be the most difficult thing to keep alive in a reef tank. I have pieces that thrive and some pieces that decide to RTN overnight for no good reason - it happens. Hang in there, get yourself some Interceptor, and hopefully things will improve for your SPS. We are here to help so please let us know if you need any assistance moving forward.

Check out this link regarding redbugs. Melev's site is great and describes exactly what needs to be done to erradicate the rb's. Hope this helps.

Melevsreef.com - Interceptor | Red Bug treatment

 

[Paul_N]

+1

"In the grand scheme of things, nothing that can't be overcome.

Deep breath - Hang in there ;)"

:haha:

 

[soccerbag]

If you need any inspiration for your deep breaths, here is my happy place :wink:

Or if that doesn't work, humor sometimes does the trick. I'm a big fan of The Office, so this cracks me up everytime.....

 

[fsu1dolfan]

We are all here for ya!!! Life has tons of challenges and as long as you have friends (us too), family, and a little faith things will always get better. I hope everything makes a quick recovery for you!!

Soccerbag - I love that detention!!! I must of forwarded that to a dozen friends the day news broke on that...

Here's some more stuff to make you smile spscrazy!!

 

[steamer51]

True story - My daughter is a nurse and one of the operating room nurses told her the other day an older gentleman was groggy from the happy shot before surgery when they asked him if he was allergic to latex (as in gloves). He said he had no idea, it had been years since he wore a condom.

 

[ReefDreams]

Hang in there sps. Try to get your hands on some interceptor and treat the tank.I know sometimes the smaller things can push you over but like the others said just breathe and attack the situation.Go rent a comedy it always makes me feel better. were all here if you need a shoulder

 

[drainbamage]

just try and remember all the challenges you've overcome to get your tank as amazing as it currently is, this red bug issue will just be one more speedbump in hindsight and you'll feel the better for having beat it.

 

[Hyprviperx]

just out of curiosity does anyone think that a mandarin or a dragonet or a wrasse would eat them, i know they are not tigger pods but they almost (not totally) look like them. would a small crustacean eater solve the problem?

 

[drainbamage]

just out of curiosity does anyone think that a mandarin or a dragonet or a wrasse would eat them, i know they are not tigger pods but they almost (not totally) look like them. would a small crustacean eater solve the problem?

it's possible that a dragonette could, and would probably keep the population in check to some degree, but doubt the mandarin could get ALL of them as they'd be able to hide in the smaller nooks and crannies of the SPS.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I've never read anything to indicate a Mandarin would eat Red Bugs (I've had both and never observed it.) I do recall reading a Leopard Wrasse might and that Dragon Face Pipe Fish do eat them - But I doubt either could be counted on as a total solution.

 

[Hyprviperx]

it's possible that a dragonette could, and would probably keep the population in check to some degree, but doubt the mandarin could get ALL of them as they'd be able to hide in the smaller nooks and crannies of the SPS.

appreciate the info, thanks for the responses