Discouraged

[Reefgirl0412]

There pretty much all the same size jars. I buy the eco pods, they have multi species pods in one jar

Ok thank you so so much for your help. Definitely will follow up on all the advice. How long have you been reefing for anyways?

 

[The Farmer]

On and off for over 15 years. But I’m always learning something new in the hobby lol

 

[Reefgirl0412]

On and off for over 15 years. But I’m always learning something new in the hobby lol

Thays awesome! I hope someday my tank will look amazing lol. I have a fat notebook that I write everything in so that I somewhat know what I'm doing. Definitely a lot of research. I'm only starting with the hobby and I'm already obsessed lol

 

[The Farmer]

Having a note book is a plus. It will help a lot keep notes of what steps you have made Incase anything goes wrong you can fall back on that info and see what steps you have taken and why something went amidst

 

[Reefgirl0412]

Are you testing your water regularly and is your parameters stable ???

Yes. I have. And I've been taking it to my lfs about twice a mo th to make sure. My nitrates are on the low side but I only have 2 fish in there.

 

[Reefgirl0412]

Having a note book is a plus. It will help a lot keep notes of what steps you have made Incase anything goes wrong you can fall back on that info and see what steps you have taken and why something went amidst

Yeah for sure! I'm a stay at home mom so this hobby keeps me sane lol

 

[The Farmer]

How big of a system do you have?

 

[Dave1993]

Yeah.... I just look at others people's tanks after like a month and they already look so good. I'm taking care of it and you don't think 3 months is a long time?

no lol thats a brand new tank i started with live rock so no diatoms on my rock but got them all over the sand they went away at the 1 year mark

 

[The Farmer]

There might be a little insane from time to time in this hobby, you just have to keep your head up and push through it! Lol

 

[Reefgirl0412]

How big of a system do you have?

It's 110 gallon tank woth a 20 gallon sump

 

[The Farmer]

Nice tank for being the first one.

 

[Reefgirl0412]

no lol thats a brand new tank i started with live rock so no diatoms on my rock but got them all over the sand they went away at the 1 year mark

Oh ok. Yeah im just always freaking out when I don't think something is right.

 

[Reefgirl0412]

Nice tank for being the first one.

Thank you. I appreciate that. Definitely lots of money in the hobby lol. I'm just happy that nothing died yet lol

 

[The Farmer]

I understand completely, when I restarted my tank I only had a couple of fish in there and I would have my lights come on for a couple hours a day for about a year and then I would add my first test coral. Everyone learns differently time is your friend

 

[Reefgirl0412]

I understand completely, when I restarted my tank I only had a couple of fish in there and I would have my lights come on for a couple hours a day for about a year and then I would add my first test coral. Everyone learns differently time is your friend

Yeah this has been teaching me lots of patience lol for sure. But I really appreciate all your advices. It's going to help a lot !

 

[The Farmer]

Your welcome! I’m glad I can help in some way, there are other reefers with more knowledge and better skill at the hobby then me, they should be considered masters lol

 

[Reefgirl0412]

Your welcome! I’m glad I can help in some way, there are other reefers with more knowledge and better skill at the hobby then me, they should be considered masters lol

Yeah a lot of people have helped out for sure!!! But anyone on here is a lot better than me lol

 

[tharbin]

Yeah a lot of people have helped out for sure!!! But anyone on here is a lot better than me lol

@Irahancock I just wanted to add that you have received a lot of very good advice in this thread. Your tank actually looks very good for its age. Most of all, you are reading, thinking about, and acting on the advice you have received. You seem to be parsing the advice to cull the parts you don't feel fit for you and acting on the parts that do. Your attitude says you have what it takes to be a very good reefer. It takes patience, commitment and a bit of humility to succeed in this hobby. Hang in there and remember that the majority of photos of tanks you see (except in the 'I've got a problem' threads') is staged to some extent.

 

[Reefgirl0412]

@Irahancock I just wanted to add that you have received a lot of very good advice in this thread. Your tank actually looks very good for its age. Most of all, you are reading, thinking about, and acting on the advice you have received. You seem to be parsing the advice to cull the parts you don't feel fit for you and acting on the parts that do. Your attitude says you have what it takes to be a very good reefer. It takes patience, commitment and a bit of humility to succeed in this hobby. Hang in there and remember that the majority of photos of tanks you see (except in the 'I've got a problem' threads') is staged to some extent.

Yeah that makes sense. I am glad I'm on this forum because like you have said I've gotten a lot of advice from everyone. It's awesome to see experienced people helping people that have no idea what they're doing. Definitely taking everything under the consideration. I've been doing a **** ton of research and have a fat notebook that I write stuff down in. And yes a lot of great advices. Thank you for the positivity ️

 

[Lyss]

I am going to jump in with something that might be considered a little off topic...But that is the beauty of a forum....You titled your post "Discouraged" ...in less than 24 hours (I think) you received 5 pages, some 91 responses of encouragement...good advice...and genuine concern for your discouragement...This speaks volumes to the quality and Character of the people on this forum!!! ...You have embarked on a long journey....The forum will be right with you...so Explore…Learn…Share and above all ----Practice Patience ...Small moves!

I second this. Off-topic for a second but I was sort of beside myself when I found a Eunice worm the other day -- posted on here and I got a bunch of help, encouragement, advice, and even an offer to come help me remove it and take it off my hands. The value of this website shines through especially in cases like this.

OP, in a year you'll be looking back at this like, why was was I even worried. Your tank will mature and balance out, especially if you take action now to help it along.