What drives you to keep going?

LadyMac · Nov 20, 2018

So long story short, my few years of reefing has been such a hard time. The experience has been less than pleasant as I sit and hope for a beautiful tank.

I've had a hard time keeping the enthusiasm and the number one main thing that keeps me at it, is the fact my dad's last birthday present to me was some xoas and palythoas, of which I've lost all but the palythoas to algae, or the zoa's splitting and drifting off somewhere to which I could never find.

I've struggled with hair algae, even though I use RODI water which has been tested. I've adjusted lights according to how I've been told to do so .I've tried to accumulate a decent clean up crew. It's frustrating .

As much as I would love to just toss that towel in, that one single group of palythoas is the sole reason this tank is still up. I want them to thrive. Right now I am in yet another blackout, even though it's not doing any solid good .

What keeps you going, in the face of disaster?

Flippers4pups · Nov 20, 2018

LadyMac said:
So long story short, my few years of reefing has been such a hard time. The experience has been less than pleasant as I sit and hope for a beautiful tank.

I've had a hard time keeping the enthusiasm and the number one main thing that keeps me at it, is the fact my dad's last birthday present to me was some xoas and palythoas, of which I've lost all but the palythoas to algae, or the zoa's splitting and drifting off somewhere to which I could never find.

I've struggled with hair algae, even though I use RODI water which has been tested. I've adjusted lights according to how I've been told to do so .I've tried to accumulate a decent clean up crew. It's frustrating .

As much as I would love to just toss that towel in, that one single group of palythoas is the sole reason this tank is still up. I want them to thrive. Right now I am in yet another blackout, even though it's not doing any solid good .

What keeps you going, in the face of disaster?

Sorry that your struggling with your tank. We all have been there and sometimes patience is thin.

Black out may help, but unfortunately it's only a temporary fix. The root of the problem is what is needed to correct it. Even with that, it may take time.

Myself and others of the #reefsquad are more than willing to help you get to the bottom of what's going on.

If your willing, can you give us some details of your system and current water pramameters?

A picture would be helpful of the tank and system.

Once again, we all have been there and fully understand.

Me, my first tank was a huge learning curve. But I'm not one to give up easily on anything and I get determined to find the answers and be successful. Takes time and patience.

money88 · Nov 20, 2018

The little things. When you sit back and watch the livestock in your tank do all the little quirky things they do. Perfect examples for me, my clowns and anemone I could watch all day, or when I had my pico tank the pistol shrimp with the goby pairing and digging all day. Sit back and enjoy the tank for the little things, fighting algae is just part of the hobby, I am currently doing it myself both in my freshwater planted and my reef but to me its the thought that I have a chance to recreate a little piece of nature in my home.

mta_morrow · Nov 20, 2018

We're here to help...…….and we're not with the federal government!

Please provide us the information requested and we can get started on making this a happy tank!

Raege · Nov 20, 2018

I enjoy the challenge and the continous learning. The issues are frustrating to be sure but when you find the solution its an awesone feeling.
I think keeping a positive outlook is key for me. The tank today isnt what it was yesterday and nit what it will be tomorrow.
Finding good resources and support from local stores and here on these forums gives me confidence that I can realize my dream tank not next week or next month but in time.
Every issue ive had others have beat and thier willing to share the pain and solutions.
Hang in there its the destination over the journey in thus hobby

DarkSky · Nov 20, 2018

Anger, spite, hate.

Everything takes time. Stability is key. Nothing changes quickly for the better.

jda · Nov 20, 2018

It gets easier after a year or two. If you employ the time-tested stuff and stay away from the trendy or anything new within in the last 3-5 years, then everything can be really easy. This might sound simple, but few people do it.

I am not saying that the new stuff does not, or can not, work... only that if you wait for longer, other people will have figured out all of the nuance and you can just piggy back.

ca1ore · Nov 20, 2018

Flippers4pups said:
Myself and others of the #reefsquad are more than willing to help you get to the bottom of what's going on.

As well as those of us not reefsquad LOL (I think there’s a Groucho Marx quote for this ... please accept my resignation from this R2R club .....). Some tanks are successful, some are not. It’s not always clear why. What keeps me going is ..... well it’s ..... or perhaps it’s ..... heck, no idea. That’s it, I’m out, anyone want some fish?

Seriously though, some details on your tank would help. Algae control is both about managing nutrients and about having grazers.

jsker · Nov 20, 2018

Mastering it. :)

There are so many ups and downs. I have had a few downs and have worked through them and sharing my experiences on how I fixed them. Have I lost $$$ yes, mainly in corals.

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Nov 20, 2018

There are a lot of helpful people here who have turned around bad tanks for other members. I'm not sure what keeps me going, I love the challenge and also the beauty when things do go well.

Lately, my three month old daughter will look into the tank and follow the fish with her eyes as long as you will stand there with her. Knowing that will keep this tank around forever. Plus it helps that I won the XL 525. Head up, smile and know that people are here to help.

Webslinger · Nov 20, 2018

Enjoy the small things. Weekly 5% water changes. Your tank will start looking better. It may take a few months but it will work.

LadyMac · Nov 20, 2018

Tank has been up for about three years now. 40 breeder with a 15 gallon sump. My stand isn't set up properly so it's hard to get to the back of the sump.

I've got two 660 power heads from current USA .I also had another 600 gph power head and today during cleaning the ceramic shaft broke. I can't find the spare power head. So now I have an oddesea surface skimmer to help give more flow. I've got about 70lbs of live rock in there and 50lbs of live sand. Return pump is rated for 1200 gph and my overflow is a HOB .

I have a hydor slim skim as my skimmer because the sump wouldn't fit larger and originally I didn't have a sump so it was in tank .

Stock is minimal. Pair of clowngish. There's a pistol shrimp too. About five hermit crabs because my local store rarely gets them. Three snails, one bumblebee, an astrea and nacarissus (sp). That's it. I can't get to a fish store, I don't drive. I can't ship because it's so expensive. Top that off with the fact my brother in law was in the hospital for two months .I was his caregiver and because of the length his case was closed .I've been unemployed for three months and we have no idea the length of time it'll be before his case will be opened back.

Husband's job has been iffy too. They haven't been giving him but 20 to 30 hours a week. Now he's off all week for Thanksgiving.

I'll have to check the parameters but phosphate is through the roof. It registered 4 earlier .I don't even really want to check anything else .Just crawl in the corner and cry.

LadyMac · Nov 20, 2018

It's cloudy because I just redid the rocks, got some hair algae off and stirred the sand.

Oh I forgot to mention our fridge is on the fritz and all my frozen food is now ruined and has to be tossed. Yay :(

Radman73 · Nov 20, 2018

What keeps me going? Probably stubbornness. I see other gorgeous tanks and keep telling myself if I invest the time and effort to learn more I can have that kind of tank too.

Algae is frustrating. I have some yellow algae that might actually be a form of cyano after messing with it some that appeared after taking rock out to catch a fish. I'm patient with it and try to give everything a chance to go away on its own. The tank is still young at barely a year old, so it still has some growing to do.

In the meantime, I pretty much ignore the algae and watch my fish grow and my corals die lol! Seemingly anyway. Some corals thrive, some don't. But it is relaxing and enjoyable to sit back and watch the tank. That's what really keeps me going. Planning which livestock I might get next, what can I do about the algae, or the corals not growing like I would hope. It's a challenge and the reward at the end is worth the effort. My first tank, a bio cube 32gal, was an awesome tank at its peak. Everything grew and the fish were happy. Now I just want that for my 220 :). I trust it will come in time with patience and a little effort.

Sea MunnKey · Nov 20, 2018

Corals alive & multiplying naturally, coloring up, surprise hitchhikers growing into colony, challenging myself into picking/buying lfs stubborn & unknown corals that grows into beautiful showpiece but mostly because every time I check on RRC ... there's always something luscious & different which never fails ;Drool. And mostly because folks like y'all on R2R that keeps sharing endless infos and close up pictures of corals ;Drowning ... you know who you are!!! Repent all ye Coral hoarders :D

Thank You's!!! ;)

fish farmer · Nov 20, 2018

LadyMac said:
that one single group of palythoas is the sole reason this tank is still up.

What keeps you going, in the face of disaster?

I have palys that are 18 years old, I nursed them back to life from a cooked tank back in 2002. My green wagon wheel mushrooms emerged from the ashes as well.

My tank has gone through many swings where I get busy and don't do water changes and some corals perish. What keeps me going is, first I built it into a wall...so it would be a pain to remove:).

Second is this forum. I used to have a local reef club for support, but they fizzled years ago and I came back online in the past year. Things are the same but different from when I started so I'm tinkering with some "new" ways which are working.

Have you considered growing chaeto in your sump? My phos was running around 2pmm and has been dropping since I've added chaeto.

LadyMac · Nov 20, 2018

fish farmer said:
I have palys that are 18 years old, I nursed them back to life from a cooked tank back in 2002. My green wagon wheel mushrooms emerged from the ashes as well.

My tank has gone through many swings where I get busy and don't do water changes and some corals perish. What keeps me going is, first I built it into a wall...so it would be a pain to remove:).

Second is this forum. I used to have a local reef club for support, but they fizzled years ago and I came back online in the past year. Things are the same but different from when I started so I'm tinkering with some "new" ways which are working.

Have you considered growing chaeto in your sump? My phos was running around 2pmm and has been dropping since I've added chaeto.

I've tried. It all just deindled into nothingness. I've tried other macros as well. It seems that this tank is cursed. Lol.

money88 · Nov 20, 2018

LadyMac said:
It's cloudy because I just redid the rocks, got some hair algae off and stirred the sand.

Oh I forgot to mention our fridge is on the fritz and all my frozen food is now ruined and has to be tossed. Yay :(

Right there...look at the clowns look at you. That is your reason :)

ReeferReefer · Nov 20, 2018

For me its a combination of stubbornness and guilt. My tank has been going through a rough patch lately too and I only recently decided to give it the attention it deserves. I just try to remember that I took responsibility for these animals and that they are relying on me. My partner also gave a lot of time, money and understanding to support me in this hobby and I don't want to let her down either.