Horrible week in Stix's Reef

[Stixbaraca]

This has been the week from hell in my display, with no rhyme or reason. My recently purchased frag of Alien Eyes has gone missing, and I literally tore the tank apart looking for it...and now the biggest hit of all. My frag of Watermelon Echino decided to die (2 days from healthy to total skeleton) Keep in mind that everything else in the tank from lps to zoos is still doing fine. The watermelon is irreplaceable of course because of how much it cost me. Its weeks like this that makes me think twice about this hobby...

 

[organism]

ouch! maybe there's a nasty little crab in there eating at your favorite stuff...

 

[ficklefins]

I feel you man. I've had days where I thought I could just not take it anymore. But then I get online and realize that my time and knowledge in this hobby is worth me kepping a tank no matter what I go through. I think that a lot of people get caught up in the best skimmer, best lights, best powerheads, best salt, best additives, best calcium reactor, best corals, and best tank setup.... but in the end they seem to forget about the core of this hobby. Enjoying what you have, no matter what you have.

I enjoyed my 55g more than I enjoy my current tank with all the zoas, anemones and other things in it. Why? Because it had more fish, and I think in the end it was the fish that really brought my interest to this hobby.

In conclusion, try and remember why you got into this hobby and forget about all the hype around a type of coral or equipment.

 

[jonbar1]

I definitely know how that feels.

I lost some of my favorite zoas to zoa pox early on, am constantly fighting Caulerpa and hydroids, and I just found a ring of nudi eggs on my Kedd Redds despite having never seen a nudi or a closed polyp on this colony.

The good comes with the bad I guess, and it can always get worse. Wish I had a watermelon to frag for you.

Jon

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Dang, Watermelon is one of my favorites too.

Sorry on the bad news :(

 

[Shultz]

I feel your pain, I have Astrina starfish in my tank I can't get rid of totally that keep munching on my polyps :(

I also think I might have a bacterial infection in there effecting others, not good & getting close to just selling up & leaving the hobby.....

Cheers Shelton.

 

[Zeppelin]

OUCH. I can relate. A couple weeks back I woke up to find a 4" piece of acan echinata that had been sitting in the same spot for more than a year sitting upside down on my watermelon echino. I pulled the acan off to see all skeleton, except for part of one side of the rim. The watermelon had really started to take off too. Luckily, that small section has made it, but about 8 months growth went up in smoke. :(

BTW, I have about 10 frags of watermelon going. I want to move them under more light to increase the color a bit. Mine fade to more of a pink under less direct halides. Here is a pic of my version of watermelon:

 

[gflat65]

Man, hate to hear that Steve... I had an almost complete die off almost two years ago that ended up being my RO unit. I bought a GAC carbon filter for the unit instead of a carbon block. Apparently, everything that had been stored in the membrane got washed into my 'clean' water with every successive water change to correct the problem. I replaced all filters and was still using salt out of the same bag and everything corrected itself, though I was left with very few corals... Then there was the RB's and AEFW's... The last two years have been very trying...

 

[Stixbaraca]

Here is a picture of my Watermelon. I picked it up off of RandyO who got it from Hugo/snipersps...I hate reef losses like this! That is the frag of Alien Eyes next to it that up and took off also!

 

[Stixbaraca]

Well, I found the Alien Eyes today!! My Shrimp Goby and shrimp decided the AE frag would make a better home under the rock they live in. I dug it out, and it looks like most of the polyps will make it!!!

 

[Zeppelin]

Thats good to hear anyways. Ya, my watermelon goes more that color under less light. I like the blue though, so I keep it up high in the tank. ;)

 

[MarvinsReef]

Well, I found the Alien Eyes today!! My Shrimp Goby and shrimp decided the AE frag would make a better home under the rock they live in. I dug it out, and it looks like most of the polyps will make it!!!

whew.. a breath of fresh air... :)

I have a Watermelon Echino but it doesn't grow for me... it has grown very very little, not even complete green fringe in 2 months.. I dunno what it is but if this guy decides to take off, I can probably get you a frag.. or we can always trade.. :)

Marvin

 

[gflat65]

Glad to hear you found the AE's. That has to make it at least a little better...

Zepp, let us know when you get ready to sell those... Maybe I can sneak one by the wife.

 

[Stixbaraca]

Thanks everyone for the kind words!

If any of you guys ever have any and would like to trade or sell...let me know!!!

 

[jessiesgrrl]

Yay, Stix! :cheers:

I am so glad you found the frag of AE's. I hope someone will trade you a frag of Watermelon- I know how sad it is to get used to looking at something pretty in the tnak, and then it is gone. Awful!

I'll have to send ya something to cheer you up!!
The frag you sent me is doing g_r_e_a_t.

:D
Laurie

 

[Stixbaraca]

Glad it is doing good Laurie!!!