Work in Progress: The differences between your tank at its best vs. at its worst

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

In the age of social media, the "good" parts are always pushed over the bad. A lot of times, things aren't as they seem. And a lot of tanks out there in the social mediaverse are not an exception to this type of documentation. But authenticity is appreciated, especially in reefing, as every hobbyist is bound to have off times in their tank. Algae growth, pest outbreaks, and accidentally overlooked disease. We're not immune to these problems, and seeing others facing these issues and working to overcome them often fuels our own fire and passion.

Share your tank's journey at its best and then at its worst (bonus points for pictures!), and describe what you think the major differences between those two times were, how you may have contributed to the problem, and how you overcame it. And if your tank is currently at its "worst", share your plans on restoring it to full reefing glory!

Let's discuss!

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

My tank is currently at its worst since I lost my 4 year old Stylo colony to STN not too long ago. I believe cold stopping probiotic bacteria dosing a few months back had something to do with it because it wasn’t long after that that the uglies, particularly cyano, started proliferating and taking over. It’s as if my microbiome was disrupted because of the sudden halt in dosing beneficial bacteria. I don’t want to show a current pic as I’m too ashamed but just imagine the whole right side of my tank void of space. Now I’m wondering if it’s still ok to be using it in my welcome images knowing that it’s no longer in my tank.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

At its best, I had a tank that was blooming with life, all the inhabitants were happy, and it looked great. Then dinos appeared, and the tank just took a nose dive for the worst.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Here ya go. I share everything.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

sorry to hear that i had a similar situation happen and i will never dose any bacteria again I'm a firm believer that it weakens the tanks bio diversity then when stopped it's like new tank syndrome and starting over. i have never had an issue with a tank that was started fresh and matured threw time

My tank is currently at its worst since I lost my 4 year old Stylo colony to STN not too long ago. I believe cold stopping probiotic bacteria dosing a few months back had something to do with it because it wasn’t long after that that the uglies, particularly cyano, started proliferating and taking over. It’s as if my microbiome was disrupted because of the sudden halt in dosing beneficial bacteria. I don’t want to show a current pic as I’m too ashamed but just imagine the whole right side of my tank void of space. Now I’m wondering if it’s still ok to be using it in my welcome images knowing that it’s no longer in my tank.

 

[BryanM]

In the age of social media, the "good" parts are always pushed over the bad. A lot of times, things aren't as they seem. And a lot of tanks out there in the social mediaverse are not an exception to this type of documentation. But authenticity is appreciated, especially in reefing, as every hobbyist is bound to have off times in their tank. Algae growth, pest outbreaks, and accidentally overlooked disease. We're not immune to these problems, and seeing others facing these issues and working to overcome them often fuels our own fire and passion.

Share your tank's journey at its best and then at its worst (bonus points for pictures!), and describe what you think the major differences between those two times were, how you may have contributed to the problem, and how you overcame it. And if your tank is currently at its "worst", share your plans on restoring it to full reefing glory!

Let's discuss!

Sadly I do not have pics at its worst. But the 3-4month battle with Dinos was definitely my tank at its worst, and it was covered, smothered, daily sand vacuuming, sole crushing, drink inducing frustation.

Heres a fairly current shot though, it is looking good.

 

[Euphylliaphyle]

Here was my tank at its best:

Been pretty much downhill ever since.

 

[exnisstech]

I'll use my redsea tanks

Reefer 300
Best

Worst

Reefer 170
Best

Worst

 

[Fish Fan]

I'll use my redsea tanks

Reefer 300
Best

Worst

Reefer 170
Best

Worst

This never gets old for me; thanks for posting these

 

[exnisstech]

This never gets old for me; thanks for posting these

My original plan was a video dumping the 300 out of my loader and having it crash down on the 170. I think it would have been awesome. But after thinking it over I decided to upgrade my observation tank so I repurposed everything but the 300 glass tank. $160 later I have a new sumped 40g breeder observation tank complete with a roller.

I think I'm going to cut the 300 apart and save the glass.