How do you keep yourself motivated at reefing?

[Peter K]

Recently I've been struggling with several things on my tank and a few decisions that negatively impacted a great majority of my sps corals, despite having the best intentions, and I'm finding it real hard to keep up with the tank like I have been. I'm used to spending 15-20 minutes a day checking things and making sure all is well but the past week I've just fed the fish and ignored it. How do you guys keep yourselves motivated through the rough times of reefing?

 

[Jeepguy242]

Beer. Lots of it. And watching fishies do fishy things.

 

[Peter K]

Beer. Lots of it. And watching fishies do fishy things.

Agreed been my tactic tonight lol, if I didn't have the fish I do I think I might have torn down my tank by now.

 

[NB Reefer]

Agreed with drinking. Also just watching it zen like and let things take their course. I know we all say it constantly but patience and stability. Sometimes doing nothing is the best thing rather than continually fiddling with things. The fish and corals we keep are extremely adaptive especially when we stop changing their environment.

 

[ndrwater]

We all go through trials and tribulations with our tanks. Sometimes it is best to just "feed em" and let things calm down.
Now I'm not advocating complete disregard of everything else, but there are times when too much meddling can be detrimental.
Keep up with water changes, feed em, get back to enjoying your tank instead of thinking it's a chore.
Usually that's all that it takes.
Also know this hobby is a marathon, not a sprint. Long term success never happens overnight.
Best of luck!!

 

[Jeepguy242]

I couldnt grow sps. I left my tank on hair algae mode for 5 years.


Now I’m having better luck with all corals.

 

[Benga]

I like watching peoples reactions to my tank and just watching for new things i didn't notice before. Also spending more money on the hobby. Right now the joy:dollar ratio is pretty high for this hobby so i'm good.

 

[Centerline]

I am constantly dealing with a series of small but demanding tank emergencies. Keeps me on my toes LOL. No, seriously I always have little projects going on to improve stuff - part of the magic for me.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

I've had a string of super bad luck recently and decided to stop messing with the tank and let it do it's thing... oh, and rum.

 

[Jeepguy242]

When I got sick of the hair algae I started vodka dosing to get my fishies drunk with me.

Now the tank looks good

 

[Peter K]

Thanks for all the replies guys, definitely helps! No more fiddling for me for now and more rum.

 

[NanoCrazed]

I keep buying things I shouldn't and spending money I shouldn't :).

That and I also keep a few nano project tanks...like my 5G pest. Keeps things fresh