Finish this sentence: "The most challenging aspect of maintaining my reef aquarium is..."

[ThaBeast]

Making sure I have every conceivable part before starting an upgrade/addition. Stores simply don’t have the oddball fittings like they used to, I have resorted to ordering everything online

 

[Herbie's Reef]

Testing. I can’t stand testing. I’ll do it but it just feels like a massive chore. Even water changes are better. Sometimes I feel like I can’t trust the results too.

 

[Peace River]

Money

You just need more generous friends! Reef on!!!

 

[Peace River]

The most challenging aspect of maintaining my reef aquarium is...​

me.

 

[TWYOUNG]

Keeping coral, almost any kind, from slowly turning to bare algae covered skeletons

 

[KK's Reef]

...... is, when life happens and you forget to do the one or two things that you need to do to the reef and it ends up creating a bigger problem later. ie: forgetting to set the cooling fan on the tank and it ends up being a sweaty-balls-hot day and you're not home to do anything about it.

 

[hoffmeyerz]

Tough question, I mean for me it's trying keep myself in check and remember to strive for consistency and hold back from chasing "problems". It's so easy to want to chase numbers or attack something you think is a problem only to make a bigger problem. It's been tough but over the last two years I've found the more hands off I stay (just simple checks and maintenance) the better things stay!

 

[Fritz05]

Tough question, I mean for me it's trying keep myself in check and remember to strive for consistency and hold back from chasing "problems". It's so easy to want to chase numbers or attack something you think is a problem only to make a bigger problem. It's been tough but over the last two years I've found the more hands off I stay (just simple checks and maintenance) the better things stay!

I agree, it’s hard to keep my hands out of the tank! Patience is key.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

the first 6-8 months

 

[Adrenaline7779311]

Testing. Hands down.

 

[ninjamyst]

Affording it

 

[Acroconut]

Having a nano that the acros are outgrowing and thinking you'll have to trash a bunch of what you frag off just to keep things manageable, then deciding what you'll have to toss as there aren't many local reefers to share it with.

 

[To(meany)Tang]

Nitrates. What can I say I love feeding time as much as they do

 

[Dburr1014]

Am I the only one who enjoys testing parameters, doing water changes, and cleaning powerheads?

My least favorite part about reefing is dealing with problems I’m not experienced with: plumbing, electrical, and when equipments break. That’s the part that is challenging for me.

I like them.... When they are done!

 

[TheFunnyFarm]

Playing goalie between my obsessive 2yo and the tank.

Oh, and begging the wife to green light a new livestock or equipment addition.

 

[robanister]

Keeping my chemical from running dry. I have no monitor for when they are empty.

 

[Evil1]

Quite honestly i find nothing challenging. I enjoy everything about reefing. Sense of accomplishment when a task is completed. But thats just me!

 

[i cant think]

Finish this sentence: "The most challenging aspect of maintaining my reef aquarium is..."

Whether you're a seasoned reefkeeper, or if you're just getting started in the hobby, we all have parts of this hobby that are more challenging than others. It might be dealing with algae outbreaks, staying on top of regular maintenance, getting parameters in line, or something else... What presents the greatest challenge to you?

Picking the perfect fish to replace an old one who has passed of old age.

I like keeping my stocking level around the same number (if not bang on the same number) and I always struggle to get a new fish after an old one has passed as I just have too many that I like.

 

[Barncat]

Fighting evaporation. Thank goodness I have an ATO but next summer I'm using a 5 gallon bucket for my ATO reservoir instead of my silly 1 gallon pitcher. So glad that we're transitioning into fall here!

 

[boacvh]

The most challenging aspect of maintaining my reef aquarium is trying to keep up with @fishguy242 thread!!