Is this the end or a blip

[Jasongtr]

Our tank is only a 3 ft 75g system but I'm getting to the point where even the most basic tasks are getting on my nerves, the tank is nearly two years old, starting to get a load of coralline algae too, we only have a few corals and 10 fish.



In storage we have a little fluval evo with everything needed to run it, I could even put a couple of the smaller fish in with a few zoa rocks and pretty much have it instantly running, I know it's weekly or bi weekly water changes and filter floss changes every 3/4 days to run that tank.





Anyone else been through this feeling and regretted not having a tank at all or wish they'd just walked away totally when this feeling sets in.

 

[Mark Goode]

I always thought coraline algae was desirable (except on the glass, obviously).

 

[Jasongtr]

I always thought coraline algae was desirable (except on the glass, obviously).

It is, I meant we've come this far and still want to can it

 

[Mark Goode]

It is, I meant we've come this far and still want to can it

Oh, right. So you don't actually have a problem, you're just sick of it. Yeah, I understand. I feel that way just before every water change...

 

[Jasongtr]

Oh, right. So you don't actually have a problem, you're just sick of it. Yeah, I understand. I feel that way just before every water change...

Yup no problem in the tank, been feeling this way for a while, haven't done a water change for nearly 5 months for that reason even though I've got an rodi system and nearly a full 25kg bucket of salt

 

[mmorrison55]

I hope you hang in there.

Sounds like you just need to get it automated as much as you can. I like the idea of the tech side of the hobby now and looking forward to setting up the apex controllers.


Do you make your own RODI and saltwater? If not, start there. required trips to the LFS to carry buckets of water home for a water change would easily wear on me, and get old fast.

Then next, I’d look into setting up daily water changes with an apex and Dos, or something similar.

Get a small uv sterilizer to help reduce algae buildup, but you still likely will need to do periodic sand bed cleanings, or you could remove all your sand and go bare bottoms.

Point is , list out the things that annoy you with the upkeep and try and find solutions, but remember the things you do like.

 

[Jasongtr]

I hope you hang in there.

Sounds like you just need to get it automated as much as you can. I like the idea of the tech side of the hobby now and looking forward to setting up the apex controllers.


Do you make your own RODI and saltwater? If not, start there. required trips to the LFS to carry buckets of water home for a water change would easily wear on me, and get old fast.

Then next, I’d look into setting up daily water changes with an apex and Dos, or something similar.

Get a small uv sterilizer to help reduce algae buildup, but you still likely will need to do periodic sand bed cleanings, or you could remove all your sand and go bare bottoms.

Point is , list out the things that annoy you with the upkeep and try and find solutions, but remember the things you do like.

I have no intention of spending any more money on it I'm afraid, I've got a turf scrubber, uv steriliser, there's zero algae in the tank, I thought if I were in a slump with it this would of passed by now but it's been months. I'm probably just at the end of the road

 

[VintageReefer]

I have no intention of spending any more money on it I'm afraid, I've got a turf scrubber, uv steriliser, there's zero algae in the tank, I thought if I were in a slump with it this would of passed by now but it's been months. I'm probably just at the end of the road

Buy a new coral you like and bring some new color and movement into it. Sounds like you’re getting bored

 

[cilyjr]

It's up to you, if you are not enthused and you just keep going with the tank likely one of two things will happen, you'll either get more into it again or alternatively you will start to have a neglected tank.

If the ladder starts to happen, consider breaking down, saving expensive equipment and selling off the cheaper stuff. That way if you want to come back in, your $ point of reentry will be smaller.

If you find yourself still interested but kind of at a loss to it to do and have some cash, as others have suggested, consider the idea of automating the more mundane tasks. It can be a fun rabbit hole on its own.

Either way good luck to you!

 

[Jasongtr]

Buy a new coral you like and bring some new color and movement into it. Sounds like you’re getting bored

Not a good idea, other than zoas the few little lps we have are really struggling due to lack of water changes I suspect (as nothing else has changed) so afraid that's not going to revive my love of the tank

 

[Jasongtr]

It's up to you, if you are not enthused and you just keep going with the tank likely one of two things will happen, you'll either get more into it again or alternatively you will start to have a neglected tank.

If the ladder starts to happen, consider breaking down, saving expensive equipment and selling off the cheaper stuff. That way if you want to come back in, your $ point of reentry will be smaller.

If you find yourself still interested but kind of at a loss to it to do and have some cash, as others have suggested, consider the idea of automating the more mundane tasks. It can be a fun rabbit hole on its own.

Either way good luck to you!

If it goes and we don't set up the little fluval we have here then I'd never be getting another, so it will either be sold off individually or maybe as a complete running tank with livestock but that's a pain in itself

 

[cilyjr]

If you don't find it fun and/or rewarding then why do it?

We all only have so much free time and so much life. Don't do things that aren't enjoyable in your spare time.

Sell it, someone will want it.

My opinion

 

[voelter76]

I felt that way and quit for 25 years. Then I regretted that for 25 years and got back into it. If you are bored adding something new might help.

But only you know what the right course is. I hope you hang in there though!

 

[VintageReefer]

Not a good idea, other than zoas the few little lps we have are really struggling due to lack of water changes I suspect (as nothing else has changed) so afraid that's not going to revive my love of the tank

Why do you blame a lack of water changes? I have a lps dominant tank and this hasn’t had water changes in 10 years

If interested, check out my tank thread to learn about my water change free system

 

[EricR]

If it's not fun anymore (or at least gives that periodic feeling of accomplishment), might be time to take a break.

 

[Jasongtr]

Why do you blame a lack of water changes? I have a lps dominant tank and this hasn’t had water changes in 10 years

If interested, check out my tank thread to learn about my water change free system

Because I suspect without reading about your tank you dose to replace the trace elements etc, I just simply stopped doing water changes because I couldn't be bother

 

[saltyfins]

what if, you just "make" yourself do it? sometimes I feel like this as well, and I have to actually force myself. 1/2 way through it, everything just changes for me. I hope that you can find the will, and just do what needs to happen...maybe it'll help. :)

 

[bobnicaragua]

You have a neglected tank and sickly corals. That’s no fun. It’s demoralizing when your tank is struggling.

Look at VintageReefer above, he’s always engaged and posting. Reefing is a blast when you’re killing it.

Make it an awesome tank or take a break. Life is too short.

I’ve been in and out of the hobby 4 or 5 times since the late 90’s. Every time I start a new tank, my batteries are recharged and it’s been an improvement over previous tanks.

 

[ElementReefer]

You’ve already made your decision. You’re going to break down the tank and run the Evo. There’s no shame in that. On the contrary, it’s a healthy decision.

BRS even says if you’re not having fun at one year, get out.

 

[Jasongtr]

You’ve already made your decision. You’re going to break down the tank and run the Evo. There’s no shame in that. On the contrary, it’s a healthy decision.

BRS even says if you’re not having fun at one year, get out.

Maybe, but it's 2.5 years for us, and virtually 2 years on this tank