What are the biggest issues that hobbyists face? Help me help you!

[revhtree]

I'm looking to put a team together that will target the main issues that saltwater aquarium hobbyists face on a day to day basis maintaining a reef tank. What I need from you is to help me put a specific list together of subjects that we need to really target. I would like for you to be as specific as possible please! So in your opinion...

What are the biggest issues that saltwater aquarium hobbyists face maintaining a reef tank?

THANK YOU!

 

[Retro Reefer]

My biggest challenges over the years have been dealing with invasive algae's. Most of the people I know would probably answer the same

 

[Deschutes541]

Cost.

Let me know when you're ready to send me some money

 

[The Opinionated Reefer]

Understanding reef chemistry. A lot of people never quite get there heads around alkalinity and dosing etc

 

[kyleinpdx]

Cost.

Let me know when you're ready to send me some money

This was going to be my comment. I’m tired of getting bent over because some company decided their 30% margin wasn’t enough.

 

[Raege]

initial set up and cycling of tank great threads here already but how to point new members to info available perhaps in the welcoming email all folks get

planning for what type of reef you want and what is needed to support it equipment wise sps need the par power dies it fit your budget

live stock planning what fish are on your must have and best order of introduction

maintenance how to be realistic on time and effort ie im lazy hauling buckets up a flight of stairs not good for long term follow thru invest for success get a pump to do the work keep it manageable

testing double check instructions easy to get wrong numbers not testing as instructed whats essential at what time of a tanks life depending on what you stock

trusted resources of info a list of r2r thumbs up sources like brs vids etc

sharing the hobby to get support and meet new folks and get buy in from significant others

 

[revhtree]

My biggest challenges over the years have been dealing with invasive algae's. Most of the people I know would probably answer the same

So true! Can you be more specific?

 

[revhtree]

Understanding reef chemistry. A lot of people never quite get there heads around alkalinity and dosing etc

Can you be more specific with your personal issues?

 

[andrewey]

@revhtree-are you mostly looking for the biggest issues relatively new reefers face or experienced reefers face? I think there are some topics that overlap, but I think the issues really depend on which audience you're targeting.

 

[Hydrored]

I think from what you see on the forums-

1. How to correctly identify when to start dosing, how to calculate dosage requirements.
2. Identifying common fish/coral diseases and how to treat them.
3. Common testing practices and the best tools for the job.
4. How to set up a sump/plumbing
5. Overall optimal system parameters for FOWLR, SPS, mixed reef
6. And to finally answer why is X product so expensive once and for all.

 

[Feet4Fish]

Fish health deteriorating along the supply chains we use. Nowadays we have to assume all fish are sick.

 

[revhtree]

@revhtree-are you mostly looking for the biggest issues relatively new reefers face or experienced reefers face? I think there are some topics that overlap, but I think the issues really depend on which audience you're targeting.

Both actually. I have some ideas on how we can help reefers of all experience levels get help when they need it. So just be as specific as possible for you!

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

Nutrients like phosphates and nitrate's

 

[Kfactor]

For me it would be chemistry of the water i find if your chemistry is good you should never get pest alga but trying to figure that out is hard with out testing and seeing what works for your tank . What’s hard is every take seems to need differ things then the next . My corals seem to Survive but never thrive and it drives me nuts lol but I want to strive to make my tank healthy and for the corals to do amazing and one day I hope this happens

 

[Aqua Man]

[QUOTE="revhtree,
What are the biggest issues that saltwater aquarium hobbyists face maintaining a reef tank?

Would be great if there was some way to test for ich and other fish ailments. Then we could treat accordingly.

Algae sucks too!

 

[GeoSquid]

I've been keeping saltwater tanks since 1990 and the only things that have really caused me trouble are Dino's and Aiptasia. I've never had trouble with fish diseases ever....I don't quarantine and I feed only fresh and frozen seafood.

 

[Fink]

As a newbie my big problem has been knowing what to look for with pests. For example, I didn't know what an exposed skeleton on an LPS was supposed to look like, so the very obvious Vermitid Snails didn't trigger any kind of response in me. Additionally, I didn't know what healthy or unhealthy frags looked like.

Some kind of guide for what to look for when purchasing common coral would be very helpful.

 

[dopey]

heh, actually doing the things i know i'm suppose to do.

Oh, a single aptasia.. I should just kill that right now...eh, I don't wanna get my hand wet, or turn off the pumps. I'll do it later.
..........and then it becomes a pandemic.

Oh I should QT for observation new fish..I don't have the space for that, I trust my LFS.
......hello velvet, oh and here is space for an emergency QT.

Oh that frag has a bit of algea.. but it's so pretty.
.....hello caulerpa

Oh that fish is 'reef safe with caution'.. well here is some r2r threads of random X claiming his is fine, i bet this will be too.
...bye bye corals


Not sure how you can help, but something to really instill the discipline and importance of 'proactive' maintenance. The sooner you appreciate the value of consistent routines, and proactive maintenance the better off you'll be. BRS and others hammering 'ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is for a reason, it's one of the most important things to learn.

 

[Cstar_BC]

Understanding reef chemistry. A lot of people never quite get there heads around alkalinity and dosing etc

I would second this .

So much conflicting information .

NSW vs high alk (even though BRS did the series on better growth with high alk)

ULN but Actually corals need high nutrients

Get rid of phosphate for algae but wait some things need phosphate

Get rid of nutrients for water quality - oops hello cyano


The list is endless

 

[Cstar_BC]

I would love an article on power head placement .

Where to place for best flow.

I struggle to figure out where to put my power heads