Why Does This Hobby Hate Me?

[PapaDragon]

Every single time I think I've got things figured out something happens to make me feel like I just got my tank yesterday. Three days ago everything is going fine all my corals look happy, but the last three days my pride and joy Utter Chaos colony is all closed up along with a gorgonian and leather.

I'm convinced that somehow taking a picture of a coral is a death sentence. I can't count how many photos I have of dead corals, but that is the only thing I have done besides feed my fish.

Thanks for listening because I think you have to be obsessed with the hobby to understand. I was trying to explain this to a friend that isn't in the hobby and he points out how great some other corals are doing. He just happens to select a kenya tree and an aiptasia! The two things I've been trying to to remove from my tank.

:mad::confused::(:eek:o_O

 

[4FordFamily]

Ime and IMO, difficult corals are much tougher to maintain than are even the toughest expert level fish.

For me, as long as I get a nice mix of "colors" and coral textures and shapes, I am happy. I don't really have any difficult coral. The hardest coral I have to keep are four different species of montipota caps and some candy cane. I have hammer and a lot of frogspawn, too. I do little to maintain these. Just water change and I dose 2 part when I remember.. I run gfo reactors... That's really it.

I am sure I wouldn't be able to keep more of be expensive and more beautiful coral. That's ok, I like my ornamental expensive and sometimes "rare" fish.


My experience with coral over the years has been that the harder you try, seemingly the more that screws up and the more you kill. Keeping in mind the level of difficulty my corals require, however.

 

[kschweer]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I feel your pain. I have corals I don't far take pictures of or even mention I have them for fear of something happening...lol. Hope things turn around for you soon!

 

[PapaDragon]

Ime and IMO, difficult corals are much tougher to maintain than are even the toughest expert level fish.

For me, as long as I get a nice mix of "colors" and coral textures and shapes, I am happy. I don't really have any difficult coral. The hardest coral I have to keep are four different species of montipota caps and some candy cane. I have hammer and a lot of frogspawn, too. I do little to maintain these. Just water change and I dose 2 part when I remember.. I run gfo reactors... That's really it.

I am sure I wouldn't be able to keep more of be expensive and more beautiful coral. That's ok, I like my ornamental expensive and sometimes "rare" fish.


My experience with coral over the years has been that the harder you try, seemingly the more that screws up and the more you kill. Keeping in mind the level of difficulty my corals require, however.

I love fish too and agree with you about fish being easier than some corals.

 

[sureal00]

Personally acros and zoas/palys are the hardest for me.I have some zoas and palys in a 20 gal tank and i take less care of that tank and they grow fine.I put them in my display tank and they close up and melt.They are so finicky i have no clue how people pay so much for high end ones

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Corals are very delicate and fragile segments. I'm sorry to hear about your multiple losses.
We had some here but they were not easy to maintain. :(
~ CI

 

[Tahoe61]

I have always had a love/hate relationship with my tanks. I am far more critical then anyone else.

 

[PapaDragon]

Oh My Gosh! My Utter Chaos were fully open when I got home today! I think they were just showing me who is in charge. :D