I have spent endless amounts of time money and effort for so long w my extremely expensive tank, and nothing seems to be getting better. I'm not willing to put in more work. The diatoms is OUT of control and Ive spent almost a thousand dollars and so much time trying to fix it. It is so ugly and makes the entire room look horrible, and it smells. It's just an extreme eye sore and honestly embarrassing to explain to people.. I'm not getting any happiness from my tank, is it a bad idea to just tear it down?
Debating leaving the hobby
- Thread starter SurfTrack
- Start date
- Tagged users None
jgirardnrg
Valuable Member
When you're done, you're done. I think if you've had enough and don't want to put in the work or money to turn it around that there's nothing wrong with throwing in the towel. If your hobby doesn't bring you joy, why do it? Sometimes it's best to cut your losses and move on. Without pics and knowing more about your tank, I can't advise one way or the other about what it might take to turn it around.
Quietman
2500 Club Member
Hard to know how to help without knowing what you've done before. If you want to vent a bit that's fine - I have to. If you want to leave - well, I've been there too, we all have at one point or another. If you really want to have a reef tank and are just frustrated - well, folks on here can help if you want.
Need some parameters and what you've done so far. But if it's only been a month waiting a bit longer might be all that's needed. If it smells...start a water change routine and doing some sand bed cleaning.
Diatoms aren't usually something that sticks around more than a month or so and they usually go away on their own. Possible cause of them being a longer term problem are poor water quality with silicates in source water. They can be high enough that your RODI isn't managing them or perhaps the resin you're using needs to be adjusted or added (I know, no money but a little resin can't be that bad can it?).
Need some parameters and what you've done so far. But if it's only been a month waiting a bit longer might be all that's needed. If it smells...start a water change routine and doing some sand bed cleaning.
Diatoms aren't usually something that sticks around more than a month or so and they usually go away on their own. Possible cause of them being a longer term problem are poor water quality with silicates in source water. They can be high enough that your RODI isn't managing them or perhaps the resin you're using needs to be adjusted or added (I know, no money but a little resin can't be that bad can it?).
WVNed
The fish are staring at me with hungry eyes.
It's a hobby. If it isn't fun for you don't do it.
A simple thought.
Where out in the outside world does water grow yucky stuff and smell bad. Stagnant pools, slow flowing ditches, standing water in old pots and such.
#1 turn up you flow and I mean a lot. Ever see a smelly white water river?
A simple thought.
Where out in the outside world does water grow yucky stuff and smell bad. Stagnant pools, slow flowing ditches, standing water in old pots and such.
#1 turn up you flow and I mean a lot. Ever see a smelly white water river?
SoggyNW
Active Member
This is 3rd hand info and maybe you have already tried this. I've heard from a few places that simply raising the temp to 81 wipes them out. Of course do your homework first but if you hadn't already tried it, I can't think of a simpler fix.
It's your tank, time, money, and happiness. You gotta do what's best for you and what's in your gut.
If you are willing to troubleshoot and try things there are plenty of us around to bounce ideas and try to get you moving in the right direction. But we can't help if your heads not in it, only you can decide if you want to continue this journey or not.
Maybe a stupid question but the light isn't old or burned out is it? UV lights degrade and need to be replaced prior to them burning out. Typically manufacturers recommend replacing once per year.
Have you ever ran an ICP for your RO/DI?
A reading of 0 TDS on meters just means the instrument can't detect levels that low. You could still have some silicates, phosphates, nitrates, etc. Leaching through and be getting 0 TDS on the meter.
Quietman
2500 Club Member
The UV is going to help for lots of things and if it's running you won't see a lot of other issues others do (dinos, major ich)....unfortunately, it doesn't do much for diatoms.
112 gallon red sea system, UV sterilization, skimmer, mechanical filtration.
So this summer the tank was neglected and ever since mid August I have made it my mission to get the tank back on track. Before the summer I was dino free and the tank looked great. Ive tried running GFO, carbon, and purigen. I changed all my filters to my RODI, water is at 0 TDS. I do weekly water changes and I have also done a few 50 gallon changes. I havent tested in some time though ill be honest.
Another downer is that my huge hammer which was doing great is receding, I think it has some sort of bacterial infection.
I really dont want to just give up but I have to say im reaching that point where its all just kinda bleak. But I do really enjoy the tank when its in its prime so I'm trying to make myself give it one more shot.
WallyB
REEF Techno-Geek
Having been in this hobby for over 25 years, I've been where you are a few times. (Cyano Blooms, GHA infestation, and Aptasia outbreaks).
Not sure how long you've struggled, but if less than a year it's too soon to give up till you tank finishes going thru the ugly stages. I know that's difficult to hang in there since I too can't stand a eye-sore tank.
Not sure what your tried to remedy your problems.
If your tank is over a year you don't have to end your hobby/hopes. Tear down (Clean/scrub and reset) and START FRESH and maybe your next attempt will go better. I've done that a couple of time and things did do much better on the 2nd attempts.
