- Joined
- Jan 14, 2018
- Messages
- 760
- Reaction score
- 434
I am always asking for advice from this wonderful community, however, I want to share with those who are new to the hobby. I love this hobby and I have a deep regard for each fish and coral that I keep. I realize that I am responsible for providing them with the best environment possible. The factor that draws me to the hobby the most is not only the beauty of the saltwater fish and corals but interesting story of each coral and fish that I keep. For example I have rock flower anemones and I am excited about the possibility of producing baby rock flower anemones. Each fish and coral has a different story and need. This keeps the hobby interesting, intriguing and also presents a challenge. I am a researcher by training and I enjoy learning about each item that is in my tank. The greatest challenge is keeping a constant eye on the details of the tank. Once I had a beautiful tank but the pressure of working and traveling from Texas to Mississippi to take care of two ill parents (honored to do it) resulted in my taking my eyes off of the tank and it ended up going down. I realize how much I missed my tank and how much it provided me with in regards to relaxation and joy. It is providing me with a piece of beauty in the midst of challenge. I am trying to rebuild and so far things are going wonderful. I am a coral person, my favorite corals are anemones and bubble corals. I like exotic fish. I have a Red Sea Max 250 65 gallon tank. It is old and my recent worry is about replacing the lights or the tank giving out. I love my beautiful bubble coral and I want it to survive.
There is so much that I need to do better but for those new to the hobby I will list the things that are helping me to make it in this hobby.
1) Understanding each fish and coral that I have and truly caring about their well-being and realizing that I am responsible for providing them the best care that I can.
2) Keeping the water clean. I clean the gravel and do a 10% water change once a week. For my tank this is helping a lot!
3) Keeping the filter sponge clean
4) Looking at the tank everyday for changes and ensuring that everything is okay
5) Feeding a variety of foods such as Mysis and pellets (just trying this and it seems to make a difference) also figuring out how much to feed
6) Checking my water parameters every week, specifically calcium, phosphate, ammonia and salinity
7) Setting boundaries on how much I spend (does not work all the time but I try to space it out)
8) Realizing that things will happen regardless of how hard you try. This is the hardest for me. Sometimes I have wanted to give up but I hang in there.
9) Having a community of individuals to reach out to when in doubt. The Reef to Reef community has been so helpful to me! Thank you
The things that I need to do better is to continue to focus on providing the best environment (lightening, water) and to read more about maintaining a reef aquarium and spend more time with the Reef to Reef community. I hope that what I have posted helps someone who is new to the hobby and who is trying to enjoy a piece of beauty and the amazing contributions of nature.
There is so much that I need to do better but for those new to the hobby I will list the things that are helping me to make it in this hobby.
1) Understanding each fish and coral that I have and truly caring about their well-being and realizing that I am responsible for providing them the best care that I can.
2) Keeping the water clean. I clean the gravel and do a 10% water change once a week. For my tank this is helping a lot!
3) Keeping the filter sponge clean
4) Looking at the tank everyday for changes and ensuring that everything is okay
5) Feeding a variety of foods such as Mysis and pellets (just trying this and it seems to make a difference) also figuring out how much to feed
6) Checking my water parameters every week, specifically calcium, phosphate, ammonia and salinity
7) Setting boundaries on how much I spend (does not work all the time but I try to space it out)
8) Realizing that things will happen regardless of how hard you try. This is the hardest for me. Sometimes I have wanted to give up but I hang in there.
9) Having a community of individuals to reach out to when in doubt. The Reef to Reef community has been so helpful to me! Thank you
The things that I need to do better is to continue to focus on providing the best environment (lightening, water) and to read more about maintaining a reef aquarium and spend more time with the Reef to Reef community. I hope that what I have posted helps someone who is new to the hobby and who is trying to enjoy a piece of beauty and the amazing contributions of nature.
Last edited:
