Sigh.... I’m over it...

[Johniejumbo]

WTS one 40g algae riddled piscine death trap. Don’t know how I managed it but I killed most of my fish last night. Did my routine maintenance. Pulled a good bit of hair algae. Same old same old. This morning I was greeted with a dead chalk bass, bangai cardinal and azure damsel. Of the 9 fish in the tank I saw those dead, 1 blenny still alive and no sign of the others. I kind of don’t even care what went wrong. After 15 years of reef keeping the enjoyment is gone. Oh well. I’ll have more room in my living room now. I’m certain I’ll still be on this forum reefing vicariously through others but for now I’m completely over it. Thanks to everyone for being a part of a great hobby that I enjoyed for a good long time.

John

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Sorry for your losses. Sometimes you just have to step back a bit and re-group. I went from three tanks to one and am happy I did.
Hopefully the rest of the fish are alive and make it through.

 

[SaracensRugby]

What do you suppose the actual percentage of people on here have “good” looking tanks? They go through such phases over time, and everyone oohs and ahhhs at the pic of a cool frag, or a random amazing shot. But what does the real avg tank look like? I see more pics of amazing frags, but not nearly as many of those frags grown out.

I am only 3 years in and seem to have more bad times than good, but still love the challenge and what I can find. For instance, I found flatworms in my tank a few days ago, but at the same time some time little red fans coming out of tubes under a rock. I loved finding the little red fan thingies. Side note, I think my 4 line wrasse is keeping the flat worms in check, we shall see. One more obstacle from Mother Nature in a box.

 

[justjes45]

I had totally felt like this about a month ago.
I was “over it”, frustrated , “coral” broke...
There is a guy on here that helped me regain my tank- send me a pm and I will connect you...
I was having MAJOR Green hair algae issues...
I almost walked away.
My life is so SO too busy to then have to guilt myself into pieces over my tank.
I follow so many rank and coral people on Instagram and their tanks are so perfect... I felt like a flop.
You can fix it.... if you want to....
[emoji3590]

 

[justjes45]

I had totally felt like this about a month ago.
I was “over it”, frustrated , “coral” broke...
There is a guy on here that helped me regain my tank- send me a pm and I will connect you...
I was having MAJOR Green hair algae issues...
I almost walked away.
My life is so SO too busy to then have to guilt myself into pieces over my tank.
I follow so many rank and coral people on Instagram and their tanks are so perfect... I felt like a flop.
You can fix it.... if you want to....
[emoji3590]

“Tank and coral people...”[emoji2360]

 

[Katrina71]

I'm so sorry:( I kinda feel like a jerk because I have been wrapped up in a new build. Please don't give up. There is still life in your tank. This is just a pothole in the road!

 

[Johniejumbo]

That’s just it. Sadly I just don’t really want to. I have always enjoyed my tanks. The challenges were just part of it. I have overcome hair algae before it’s not that big of a deal really. Tank is still young and working itself out and I have no doubt it would turn the corner to good within a few months. But for the first time in so long it’s a pita instead of something I look forward to. Time to step back for a while. I’m sure I’ll be back.

 

[Johniejumbo]

I'm so sorry:( I kinda feel like a jerk because I have been wrapped up in a new build. Please don't give up. There is still life in your tank. This is just a pothole in the road!

Thanks. I put what survived into a 20g I’ve had set up for years. Don’t think my wife will let me get rid of that. A few button polyps a hammer coral a candy cane coral and some gsp. Along with an pj cardinal and a black blenny. That tank is easy to care for so I may keep it around. Won’t be adding to it though.

 

[Katrina71]

Thanks. I put what survived into a 20g I’ve had set up for years. Don’t think my wife will let me get rid of that. A few button polyps a hammer coral a candy cane coral and some gsp. Along with an pj cardinal and a black blenny. That tank is easy to care for so I may keep it around. Won’t be adding to it though.

Everybody needs a break sometimes. I'm really sorry.

 

[Hillbillyreefer]

My tank crashed about 3 yrs ago. It sat without lights or feed for almost three years, the powerheads and heater running, and once in a while I’d top it off. In November 18 the bug bit again, the resurrection is coming along well. A break may be just what you need.

 

[Aktric1]

I’d say give it up for a bit, align and evaluate. Conclusion will come clear and unemotional. Good luck

 

[Johniejumbo]

I’d say give it up for a bit, align and evaluate. Conclusion will come clear and unemotional. Good luck

Thank you

 

[Seamore2001]

That's really tough luck. Over the years I've had crashes due to equipment failure, power outages, etc., and it's such a shattering experience. Sometimes taking a step back can be helpful for your piece of mind.

With no fish in the tank now, maybe you can just let it run on autopilot for a while. Keep it running, do the occasional water change, keep it topped off, and see if it reaches equilibrium. With no new nutrient input it should eventually stabilize. That way, when you get the urge to get back into reefing, the system will be there waiting for you.

 

[cracker]

Sorry John, hope Ya get back into it some day.

 

[Johniejumbo]

That's really tough luck. Over the years I've had crashes due to equipment failure, power outages, etc., and it's such a shattering experience. Sometimes taking a step back can be helpful for your piece of mind.

With no fish in the tank now, maybe you can just let it run on autopilot for a while. Keep it running, do the occasional water change, keep it topped off, and see if it reaches equilibrium. With no new nutrient input it should eventually stabilize. That way, when you get the urge to get back into reefing, the system will be there waiting for you.

I have thought about this. It could be a good option. But the tank is in my living room and it needs to go somewhere else. I could move it to another room I guess... ill think about it.