I would say a B not had any super major problems besides my nutrients being too low and causing dinos right now but I am fixing it by trying to increase my phosphates. I guess I have to wait longer between water changes
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And how it worksI would really like to know more about my spectrum and par output. I need to pony up and get a spectrometer.
Same hereI guess if I had rate myself I'd be a "C". My corals are mostly doing well and growing, and I haven't had any major algea issues in probably close to a year. I'd probably rate my self higher but when someone posts pictures of their beautiful tank and I realize I'm just a "C".
My tank is middling at its current form, however the progress is generally trending upwards. I am trying a sumpless 170G tank, with dry-rock and live-sand which don't ease matters much either.Ok so none of you are totally flunking out, we call that learning at your own pace! Last night I was cleaning the glass of the tank and I asked myself this question. "If I were to give myself a grade on being a reefing hobbyist what would it be?" I wanted to answer truthfully so gave myself a C+. I mean there are things I get an A+ on but some things an F- so a C+ is about where I would average out. Let's talk about it today.
BE HONEST!
1. If you were to give yourself an overall reefing hobby grade what would it be?
2. What is an area you excel in and get an A or A+ in?
3. What is an area you are not good at and maybe flunking out of?
Even NASA had their fair share of failures, due primarily to poor decisions, not always technology failures. I think it is the same with the aquarium hobby. The decision to not have fail safes or backups comes to mind. Why? Because we know any given apparatus will eventually fail, yet we act as though it won't.I haven't yet seen automation that I comfortably trust. There's way too many Plan-A solutions without failsafe(s) or backups. 99% of today's aquarium automation would never pass the NASA test. Or maybe I just haven't spent enough money yet!!!
As for the original questions... my answers are...
1. My overall grade is B- , with my accomplishments far exceeded by my failures and all buffered with a healthy dose of self-awareness. I know my shortcomings and unfortunately have become quite comfortable with some of them.
2. I excel in the mechanics, electronics, chemistry and oddly enough the observance of fish behavior and their idiosyncrasies.
3. I'm partially colorblind, so attempts to communicate or understand the often subtle changes that occur based on color shifts are especially challenging. My biggest failure is definitely impatience.
Flashsmith, I agree that "smart-and-informed" investments in the hobby help, however I am yet to identify a bullet-proof blueprint for success with a reef. This video (Youtube Link) comes very close, and provides a good structure:If you spend enough money there's no doubt you can be a superstar.. With automation that kinda takes the challenge of the hobby away IMO.
White Tail Fish (do you ever abbreviate that? ) ... don't quite know your circumstances, but the following have helped me a great deal. I, however, still have some nuisance-algae ... and absolutely abhor my incapability at getting rid of them.Well it's been a sobering last few months for me and me wallet in this hobby. I've probably get a D grade if you look at my tank alone now after loosing half my corals to my 6+ month long war with algae. But if you combine that with learned experience and knowledge I'd rate myself as a C. (but an A for effort!) "As they say, its not about the destination, its about the journey"