Advise needed please - A heavy heart

[4FordFamily]

I ran my tanks through grad school too -- was real real tight...

Sold stuff to buy fish

 

[spiraling]

He has a Master degree in organizational behavior and management - he has been a buyer, account manager, in aerospace and medical device

He sounds pretty marketable, especially in a larger city like Denver.

I'm not sure if your area has a reef club, but find out. I'm willing to bet that there are a LOT of local reefers who will help you out with your tank. Don't be ashamed to take help from strangers. Its the best motivation to pay it forward 10x more later.

 

[Oceanwave45]

He sounds pretty marketable, especially in a larger city like Denver.

I'm not sure if your area has a reef club, but find out. I'm willing to bet that there are a LOT of local reefers who will help you out with your tank. Don't be ashamed to take help from strangers. Its the best motivation to pay it forward 10x more later.

True - and thank you! However we don't have a reef club - well one this active anyway!

 

[Oceanwave45]

Having gone through two years of graduate school with a 150g tank, I would say it's doable if you have few corals or at least, easy corals that don't require heavy maintenance. Going fish only or softies has allowed me to keep costs down. I don't have to do water changes all that often. The only thing I need to keep up with is making RO/DI water for top off every other week. As far as food is concerned, if you're strapped for cash, pellets go a long way, with frozen food feedings every so often. In my two years of being a poor graduate student, I learned to appreciate the fish that I had in my possession, and allow the tank to just run on its own with minimal maintenance. I know times are tough, but an RO/DI will save you a lot of money in the long run. And if you're running some kind of reasonably/budget priced LEDs, you can hopefully reduce some of the electricity costs. Winters are tougher because the heater tends to run a lot more often. If your signature is up to date and that is the size of your tank (without sump and decent skimmer), you may be OK, but perhaps need more frequent water changes. But like I said, if you keep your stocking choices simple and minimal, you should doing alright.

Good luck to you and your partner! I feel for you because when I started school, I went through the same dilema and considered breaking down my tank, but I could not. It was my baby and it got me through tough times in life and school. Hang in there! You will both bounce back!

Awe thank you so much!

 

[Oceanwave45]

Thank you everyone so much!!! Mike and I are both in our early 30's and both went to grad school. We thought we did everything right. You just never know that at any moment the rug can be pull from under you. I am sure he'll get another job, its just that the market is highly competitive and Denver is one highest educated cities not to mention Denver is the number one state for jobs and people moving here.

So far, this is what I did... I hope this will work. There was a sale at Petco and we got two big bags of brine shrimp for 3.99. I know brine shrimp isn't the best but its better than dried food right?

Andrew

 

[Oceanwave45]

First of all, keep your head up -- these types of things can define you, but HOW they define you is your choice!

Be careful with tap water -- mine was very salty! Also, fluoride, chlorone, and other things are not so great for your fish.

Maybe trade something you have for a RO unit on Craigslist? I still buy the cheap stuff on eBay.

Keep your head up, friend!

Thats good idea, I am looking for a unit now...

 

[OREGONIC]

Good luck, keep your head up. Sometimes things like this happen for a reason, usually something good comes from it in the end. I had lost my job about 6 years ago and the industry i work in, collision repair, was really hurting in our area due to economy. It took me 6 months to find a new job, but it paid 25% more then the job i had lost. During the time i was not working I really had to budget, so when i went back to work it felt like i was swimming in money due to a new respect to budgeting and a 25% pay increase from what i was making before. The other huge bonus of the 6 months off was the amount of time i got to spend with my wife during this time. We did lots of hiking and played lots of disc golf together, neither one of those hobbies cost us any money but made us physically healthier and closer to one another.

 

[Reefltx]

I have met some great people on here - Thank you everyone who has helped me with my new tank. However, I come to you with a heavy heart today.

My partner's company shut down, its moving over seas. So he was laid off today, he did receive a small severance I guess something is better than nothing. I know he'll find another job, when I do not know and unemployment will help a little.

But this brings me to my questions, since we are now on a limited budget we find ourselves scraping the bank account and we need to cut unnecessary expenses.

So here are my questions:

1) We do not have an RODI unit, so its about a 1.00 per gallon from my LFS. Is there anyway, we can get away with using tap water for now? I know its not that much, but every dollar counts right now.

2) Fish food - we were using frozen food about 10.00 per pack, is there anyway to get something cheaper that will work for a limited time?

3) Salt - 19.99 per bag is the cheapest we have found for 25 gallons, does anyone know of a cheaper brand and where to purchase this from?

If anyone has any other suggestions it would be greatly appreciated, we are not the type to expect help or handouts and this isn't the purpose for this post. We just trying to get by right know, I hope you understand.

Thanks for just reading this.

Andrew

#1 - Depending how big your system is and what equipment you have, how it's ran, water changes may not be needed or can be prolonged. My old 40g SPS tank only had 2-3 water changes per year.

#2 - Feed pellets, seems to last very long for me. I have them on auto feeder 3 times a day. If you have tangs, buy market nori.

#3 - Instant Ocean is probably the cheapest you can get. Normally $35-40 at LFS per box (200gallons)

 

[reeferfoxx]

I purchased the $170 BRS RODI Plus unit a few years ago and I spend a total of $30 a year for filters.

I bought 1.76oz New Life Spectrum - Small fish formula A pellets($10 at LFS and cheaper online) and with frozen Hikari foods($7 a package) has lasted me 4 months now and still has almost 3/4's the container left.

My LFS also sells the 200 gallon box of Fritz RPM salts for $45+tax a box. On my 30 gallon tank, this will last me a year with weekly 5 gallon water changes.

 

[spiraling]

We thought we did everything right. You just never know that at any moment the rug can be pull from under you.

Just because there was an unexpected change doesn't mean you didn't do everything "right". You are both educated, and you found each other. There will always be good and bad, its just how you deal with it together that is important.

It's a big deal for you, I know. I've gone through it, most of my friends have gone through it at some point too. Take a bit of time to adjust, try not to freak out, worry, think of worst case. When you start worrying about money or anything else, try to focus on a future that is beautiful instead. Sound silly, but it really does help.

I would hold off on any purchases, including RODI, unless it was pretty much free. If you are low on cash then cutting your water changes in half and buying RODI from the LFS is cheapest short term. And the suggestion about talking with the LFS manager is a good one. Or go to another LFS if that doesn't pan out. Then you and Mike can celebrate his new job with a 6-stage system

If you need salt or other tank emergencies then just PM me and I'll order you some from BRS or amazon, deliver to your door. A $25 bag of salt certainly doesn't break the bank for me. I appreciate that you are trying to do the best for the animals you committed to keep the best you can.

I know brine shrimp isn't the best but its better than dried food right?

Not necessarily, but fish love it and it tends to make the the N/P rise slower than the concentrated pellet foods. (so you have fewer water changes)
They will be fine though. I fed brine for a year before I learned there was better. I think of it as giving your fish McDonalds instead of a nice home cooked meal.
If this becomes long term then get some pellets to feed along with the brine.

 

[Tristren]

I am using tap water with Prime. Working well so far.

You can see your cities water report online. Denver's is here:
https://www.denverwater.org/your-water/water-quality/water-quality-reports

Perhaps people who know more about it than me can look at the numbers to see if there are any concerns.

 

[n2585722]

There should be a club in Denver. We were at MACNA there around four years ago. Some club or orginazation had to host that in your area. Hang in there. Good luck.

 

[Larry L]

Hi Andrew -

I'm in Denver and there is quite an active hobby scene. You should check out the MASC web site (Marine Aquarium Society of Colorado), the next meeting is Sept 30: http://www.marinecolorado.org/forum/welcome-to-masc/masc-events/676463-fall-dbtc-and-masc-meeting

Everyone in the forums is super friendly and I'm sure would be willing to help you out if you need it. What part of town are you in? I can point you to good nearby stores.

Denver water is pretty good and has good mineral content, but I don't know of anyone using tap water directly. I do know people who just run it through DI-only or Kold Steril systems.

I know brine shrimp isn't the best but its better than dried food right?

There's nothing wrong with dry food at all - I sometimes go for long periods of time when use it exclusively (mostly when I run out of frozen and am too lazy to buy more). There are tons of high-quality dry foods out there: PE (Piscine Energetics) pellet food, Ocean Nutrition Reef Prime flakes, Reef Nutrition TDO Chroma Boost pellets (my favorite), Two Little Fishies Calaneeze freeze-dried pods, etc. etc.

Larry

 

[Teri Sullivan]

So if you call around to some LFS near you, there should be at least one willing to give free RODI. The LFS I go to gives out free RODI to regulars since it onlys costs pennies on the dollar to produce. Unless your tank absolutely needs it, then I would go as long as possible between WC's, but that all depends on your filtration and your tank. Usually if you have an LFS that makes premix with the salt you use, it should only be about $1 per gallon, so a 10% WC every two weeks shouldnt be too bad. Food wise, try to stretch between meals. I used to feed my corals twice a week, and fish maybe three times a week, which wasnt good from the start but still worked.

Of course post to your local groups on Facebook and on here, I am more than certain some people will help you out. All in all the reefing community is a great one to be a part of. Time after Time ive seen locals help locals, and reefers across the nation help others when they can, and like others have said, this is just a bump in the road/ a temporary challenge. Just take it one day at a time and kick some butt!

AMEN!

 

[Teri Sullivan]

It never hurts to say a prayer! Good Luck!!!

 

[cj in sac ca]

As said before keep your heads up. Trust me things happen for a reason and you may not see it now but you will. Been at rock bottom and only way to go is up. I used tap water when I lived in sucramento Cali. Still use if I run out of ro when $ is tight. Only draw backs I be seen is little more algae but that could have been just me. I've also used the grocery store water machines and have had no issues and it's like 25 or 35 cents a gallon. Now as for food you. CAn take table shrimp that is raw and fish too. Go to grocery store and as the sea food Dept for scraps for your tank. I did at one store till a new general manager took over.
Keep your heads up try to smile even when hard too and remember don't be afraid to ask for help. I'm sure people on here as posted before me will help ya out anyway we can..

 

[Oceanwave45]

Just because there was an unexpected change doesn't mean you didn't do everything "right". You are both educated, and you found each other. There will always be good and bad, its just how you deal with it together that is important.

It's a big deal for you, I know. I've gone through it, most of my friends have gone through it at some point too. Take a bit of time to adjust, try not to freak out, worry, think of worst case. When you start worrying about money or anything else, try to focus on a future that is beautiful instead. Sound silly, but it really does help.

I would hold off on any purchases, including RODI, unless it was pretty much free. If you are low on cash then cutting your water changes in half and buying RODI from the LFS is cheapest short term. And the suggestion about talking with the LFS manager is a good one. Or go to another LFS if that doesn't pan out. Then you and Mike can celebrate his new job with a 6-stage system

If you need salt or other tank emergencies then just PM me and I'll order you some from BRS or amazon, deliver to your door. A $25 bag of salt certainly doesn't break the bank for me. I appreciate that you are trying to do the best for the animals you committed to keep the best you can.



Not necessarily, but fish love it and it tends to make the the N/P rise slower than the concentrated pellet foods. (so you have fewer water changes)
They will be fine though. I fed brine for a year before I learned there was better. I think of it as giving your fish McDonalds instead of a nice home cooked meal.
If this becomes long term then get some pellets to feed along with the brine.

Thank you so much! things are just what they are. Thank you again for your kind words and advise!!! You have a big heart! Thank you again!

 

[Oceanwave45]

Hi Andrew -

I'm in Denver and there is quite an active hobby scene. You should check out the MASC web site (Marine Aquarium Society of Colorado), the next meeting is Sept 30: http://www.marinecolorado.org/forum/welcome-to-masc/masc-events/676463-fall-dbtc-and-masc-meeting

Everyone in the forums is super friendly and I'm sure would be willing to help you out if you need it. What part of town are you in? I can point you to good nearby stores.

Denver water is pretty good and has good mineral content, but I don't know of anyone using tap water directly. I do know people who just run it through DI-only or Kold Steril systems.



There's nothing wrong with dry food at all - I sometimes go for long periods of time when use it exclusively (mostly when I run out of frozen and am too lazy to buy more). There are tons of high-quality dry foods out there: PE (Piscine Energetics) pellet food, Ocean Nutrition Reef Prime flakes, Reef Nutrition TDO Chroma Boost pellets (my favorite), Two Little Fishies Calaneeze freeze-dried pods, etc. etc.

Larry

We are in West Denver, near Arvada and Golden. I have been to a few stores around my area. But I am scared to ask people to help and most fish store are expensive around me. If you know of a better one please let me know.