Well.. I just got a notification asking me to introduce myself... again... Unfortunately, today is not a great day for introduction. You will be meeting me at my lowest. As of today, I am no longer a reef-keeper, but a fish murderess.
I've had a few freshwater tanks for years now, and as of last fall, decided to take my chances with saltwater. Being at my spouse-proclaimed-limit of critters/habitats in the house, I opted to try my hand at a reef tank. I spent several months researching, Googling, reading articles, downloading pdfs and guides, watching youtube videos. I compared products and checked species and coral compatibilities. I bought Marco rock and built a negative space reef scape (ish). I went slow... I added water, and live rock. I waited for the tank to cycle. Until I finally added some corals. Not many, just a few to see if I could manage them. Then invertebrates, and eventually, a fish. Then another. Slowly. A fish or two every couple weeks... And things were going well, (expect for the anemone that got sucked up and sliced to death by my powerhead...all the googling I did and I was NOT prepared for that). I went through a Goldilocks type trial and error run of protein skimmers, until I finally found one that worked well for my set up. I check my water parameters every 3 days or so. I fought with algae. I fought with slime. I lost a couple corals, but others are still doing well. But today... on this tragic day of introduction re-request... I have been defeated by velvet.
So. Yes, Hello, but also, I recommend you shun me. And this is possibly goodbye... if everything dies, I'm not sure I have the heart to continue. R.I.P. Gobstopper (Midas Blenny - Victim #1). Prayers are requested for Bonnie and Clyde (Scopas Tang and Rusty Angel) BFFs whom are currently in quarantine- but the outlook is not looking good...
