I want to leave reefkeeping

[131696]

dear 1993 here what to do follow 1 person in reef community only 1,see what they do ask them questions till you get the hang of it and even then Don't ask no one else questions just the 1 person your following. Find a dream tank on here and ask them to help you with your problems .This hobby is Awesome seems Everyday something different in tank ,Don't give up put fish in tank for 6 months in them 6 months keep your parameters stable ,very stable if you want sps go from there get uv if you have Dino's take your time be patient and get a maintenance routine is key to stability.

 

[MMcKenna1029]

The issue isn't not having a $4k system and it is not having a small tank. This hobby requires passion and the desire to learn. To be blunt, we are recreating an environment that for some of us is thousand's of miles away in the open ocean. And we are trying to do it in a little box... I would suggest you perform a reasonable sized water change. In a small tank that is probably the simplest way to ensure reasonable parameters. After that, learn. Take in as much information as you can. Places like Reef2reef and you tube are filled with people trying to figure out how to recreate the ocean inside a little box. If after that you feel excited and want to continue there are loads of people willing to help.

I am on my 8th year of reefkeeping and every day I am still trying to figure out how to provide a better environment for these animals. I consider myself early in my reefkeeper maturity but I will gladly help any where I can.

Best of luck,
Matt

 

[Karen00]

Nine months is such a young tank that is prone to shifting in stability which can lead to losses which can lead to heartache. Mine just turned eight months. The key is to go slow and identify what caused the problems. You identified what happened to the clowns so you know not to do that again. You identified what was going on with the urchin and you rectified that. Now you need to identify the issue with your coral and fix that. With corals it's either light, flow or parameter related (or a combination) so you just need to sort that out and get it corrected. It takes time and patience like any hobby. The difference with this one is that it involves living creatures which brings added challenges.

 

[LPS Bum]

It’s cringey b/c the way you put it sounds like judging ppl for their choices. Individuals will make individual choices, and as long as they’re informed there’s no right or wrong/one size fits all. Also, I do have a Red Sea and absolutely love it, and I’m not limited in what equipment I can use, not sure what makes you say that.

Clearly you misread or misunderstood what I was trying to convey. It’s funny you mention that though. I had exactly the same opinion when I read your initial reply.

Personally I couldn’t care less what types of tanks or gear people buy. I have no skin in the game in anyone else’s system. To each his own, as I said.

My point was that it can certainly be done inexpensively, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. And that was all I was trying to convey.

 

[Lyss]

Funny you mention that. I had exactly the same opinion when I read your post.

Personally I couldn’t care less what types of tanks or gear people buy. To each his own, as I said.

My point was that it can certainly be done inexpensively. And that was all I was trying to convey.

But that’s not what you said. What you said was, “I've never thought anyone needed to spend $4K on a fancy AIO system, like a Red Sea.”

It’s not anyones business if someone wants to buy a Red Sea or whatever system, or even if they want to spend $4k USD.

Edit: I did not clearly misunderstand or misread. See quote above. Perhaps you didn’t intend for it to come across the way it did, but you said that.

 

[LPS Bum]

But that’s not what you said. What you said was, “I've never thought anyone needed to spend $4K on a fancy AIO system, like a Red Sea.”

It’s not anyones business if someone wants to buy a Red Sea or whatever system, or even if they want to spend $4k USD.

Edit: I did not clearly misunderstand or misread. See quote above. Perhaps you didn’t intend for it to come across the way it did, but you said that.

I think you should re-read and re-interpret what I wrote. If you look at my original quote, you’ll see that I wrote that I never understood why someone would need to spend $4K. I never said they shouldn’t spend $4K, or that there is anything wrong with it. Everything else you’re attributing to me is your interpretation, and nothing more

So yes, you did misinterpret what I wrote. Whether you realize that or not is immaterial.

Take your virtue signaling elsewhere. Enough of this nonsense. We all have better things to do.

 

[Lyss]

I think you should re-read and re-interpret what I wrote. If you look at my original quote, you’ll see that I wrote that I never understood why someone would need to spend $4K. I never said they shouldn’t spend $4K, or that there is anything wrong with it. Everything else you’re attributing to me is your interpretation, and nothing more

So yes, you did misinterpret what I wrote. Whether you realize that or not is immaterial.

Take your virtue signaling elsewhere. Enough of this nonsense. We all have better things to do.

Virtue signaling? Okay really idk what your issue is but that was uncalled for.

 

[LPS Bum]

Virtue signaling? Okay really idk what your issue is but that was very much uncalled for.

Yes. Virtue signaling. Look it up, and you'll see it's what you're doing. And calling you out on that is not uncalled for. You must be a very, very sensitive person.

Look, it's pretty simple. You misinterpreted what I wrote. Once again, I never said there's anything wrong with buying a Red Sea AIO, or an expensive system for that matter. I just said I never understood why someone would need to do it. BIG difference, and you got your feathers ruffled for no reason, then got on your high horse about it not being anyone's business what type of system you or someone else purchased. That is the virtue signaling aspect.

Just let it go. This is silly.

 

[Lyss]

Yes. Virtue signaling. Look it up, and you'll see it's what you're doing. And calling you out on that is not uncalled for. You must be a very, very sensitive person.

Look, it's pretty simple. You misinterpreted what I wrote. Once again, I never said there's anything wrong with buying a Red Sea AIO, or an expensive system for that matter. I just said I never understood why someone would need to do it. BIG difference, and you got your feathers ruffled for no reason, then got on your high horse about it not being anyone's business what type of system you or someone else purchased (which I agree with by the way). That is the virtue signaling aspect.

Just let it go. This is silly.

And it’s not for you to understand— it’s that simple.

You are making a lot of assumptions about me, and I don’t think you understand what actual virtue signaling is, either. Please stop arguing at me with this kind of thing now, I’m asking kindly.

 

[LPS Bum]

And it’s not for you to understand— it’s that simple.

You are making a lot of assumptions about me, and I don’t think you understand what actual virtue signaling is. Please stop arguing at me with this kind of thing now, I’m asking kindly.

Sigh...

Virtue signaling: the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue.

 

[Lyss]

Sigh...

Virtue signaling: the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue.

Virtue signaling is when you do something like take a knee and post photos of it on social just to be publicly on record doing it, but you don’t actually care about the cause.

I asked you to stop, and still you continue. Stop.

 

[AnnaG]

Thank you everyone though for your suggestions It can be difficult being inexperienced, young and even a bit overwhelming with this hobby. But I definitely will continue. I will have the next couple of months purchase quality testing kits + I think I will start buying my next setup and continuing on from my current tank. I will be sure to update on R2R and continue researching and learning about reef keeping

 

[Uncle99]

Thank you everyone though for your suggestions It can be difficult being inexperienced, young and even a bit overwhelming with this hobby. But I definitely will continue. I will have the next couple of months purchase quality testing kits + I think I will start buying my next setup and continuing on from my current tank. I will be sure to update on R2R and continue researching and learning about reef keeping

I read through your post but did not find much in terms of water chemistry and stability, the corner stone of a healthy reef system.

Good water chemistry speeds stable waters needed to support the necessary micro-fauna populations, which in turn process the wastes and feed our corals and good guy type bacteria.

Until I tested regularly for all 8 parameters and made small but frequent adjustments, my tanks did poorly.

Without this knowledge, it would be difficult to achieve long term success.

While sometimes a break is needed, it’s usual not the end.

Good luck.

 

[Quicklynx]

I've been back into Saltwater for about three years now. I'll be honest, it was so much simpler 15+ years ago and so much more affordable.

The first two years I got back in I listened to a LFS owner, as well as an online owner, and a few others. Unfortunately, it's cost me about $45k in fish.

I was told "I've set up a ton of tanks and used this bacteria in a bottle and it's successful every time."

Cost me a M+F pair of Japanese Dragons.

I also made the mistake of purchasing fish from a LFS owner before they were quarantined. 4x Kingi Angels, actually, and they killed all of them then told me they couldn't afford to refund me.

I started quarantining fish myself and there is a huge learning curve to that. I probably lost half the fish the first 6 months.

It's not even the money that bothers me. I'm not hurting. It's the sleight of hand I've gained at the cost of a ton of life for selfish purposes.

I have my 400 gallon and I have a few high end pride and joys in there, but I'm done adding. Even many of the ones I successfully get through quarantine, end up passing for no apparent reason months later.

I've learned that almost all LFS understand that most people are in and out of the hobby so they just need to make the quick sale.

I've played dumb with one of the locals, Rick's Fish and Pet, in Frederick, MD. He'll tell you anything to make a sale. I bought an Icecap scrubber online and he started screaming at me in the store, in front of customers, that it was garbage and I should've bought one of his CWs that are all marked up much higher than online. I told him his prices are high. He said he needs to do that to compete with online retail. Maybe get with the times. Also, keep in mind, this guy is the one that sold me on the bacteria in a bottle, and I spent $5000 a week prior on two Dragon Eels and a bunch of equipment.

I haven't spent a cent since I'm that store.

I found my way, and I hardly lose any fish in QT now, but I had to figure it a lot out on my own with trial and error.

Prime, dose bacteria... Every day. Run a D.E. filter 24/7.

Main display, don't feed pellets, limit the Tang population (3x Koi Scopas tangs all brutally murdered by one Purple Tang.)

I have one more big marine fish purchase happening, over $100k and I'll mention it later next month, but overall, I'm done with anymore fish in the DT, quarantining, etc.. It's wasteful.

I've been getting back into freshwater. I just bought my first ever Flowerhorn and attempting to groom it for competition. I plan to setup a Zebra Pike Cichlid tank and maybe an indoor Stingray pond.

I never, ever, lost freshwater fish. I don't care if it's less challenging and not as beautiful, it's just not worth the death anymore to me.

 

[AnnaG]

I've been back into Saltwater for about three years now. I'll be honest, it was so much simpler 15+ years ago and so much more affordable.

The first two years I got back in I listened to a LFS owner, as well as an online owner, and a few others. Unfortunately, it's cost me about $45k in fish.

I was told "I've set up a ton of tanks and used this bacteria in a bottle and it's successful every time."

Cost me a M+F pair of Japanese Dragons.

I also made the mistake of purchasing fish from a LFS owner before they were quarantined. 4x Kingi Angels, actually, and they killed all of them then told me they couldn't afford to refund me.

I started quarantining fish myself and there is a huge learning curve to that. I probably lost half the fish the first 6 months.

It's not even the money that bothers me. I'm not hurting. It's the sleight of hand I've gained at the cost of a ton of life for selfish purposes.

I have my 400 gallon and I have a few high end pride and joys in there, but I'm done adding. Even many of the ones I successfully get through quarantine, end up passing for no apparent reason months later.

I've learned that almost all LFS understand that most people are in and out of the hobby so they just need to make the quick sale.

I've played dumb with one of the locals, Rick's Fish and Pet, in Frederick, MD. He'll tell you anything to make a sale. I bought an Icecap scrubber online and he started screaming at me in the store, in front of customers, that it was garbage and I should've bought one of his CWs that are all marked up much higher than online. I told him his prices are high. He said he needs to do that to compete with online retail. Maybe get with the times. Also, keep in mind, this guy is the one that sold me on the bacteria in a bottle, and I spent $5000 a week prior on two Dragon Eels and a bunch of equipment.

I haven't spent a cent since I'm that store.

I found my way, and I hardly lose any fish in QT now, but I had to figure it a lot out on my own with trial and error.

Prime, dose bacteria... Every day. Run a D.E. filter 24/7.

Main display, don't feed pellets, limit the Tang population (3x Koi Scopas tangs all brutally murdered by one Purple Tang.)

I have one more big marine fish purchase happening, over $100k and I'll mention it later next month, but overall, I'm done with anymore fish in the DT, quarantining, etc.. It's wasteful.

I've been getting back into freshwater. I just bought my first ever Flowerhorn and attempting to groom it for competition. I plan to setup a Zebra Pike Cichlid tank and maybe an indoor Stingray pond.

I never, ever, lost freshwater fish. I don't care if it's less challenging and not as beautiful, it's just not worth the death anymore to me.

fair enough - freshwater is much easier and i think fish are much hardier too

 

[131696]

inexperienced

We was all there at 1 time ,just be patient nothing happens good overnight in this hobby. And just keep things stable you will be ok

 

[ZoWhat]

.....or chill out, your choice

It's only a hobby ppl

.

 

[Danroo]

I started with a fool proof guide for my first tank, sure it costed me more money, but it was worth in the end. If you haven’t decided to quit I would suggest following this guide from start to finish to have a easy successful tank. I trust him more than brs tv. Good luck and hope you stay and enjoy the hobby.

 

[AnnaG]

I started with a fool proof guide for my first tank, sure it costed me more money, but it was worth in the end. If you haven’t decided to quit I would suggest following this guide from start to finish to have a easy successful tank. I trust him more than brs tv. Good luck and hope you stay and enjoy the hobby.

thanks will have to watch it- i’m always binge watching BRS tv, i love their investigations

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Lol I started back in like 08' watching a guy on utube mix sw in a 5g bucket with his arm lol.
I did watch a lot of Mr. Sw tank. I agree on the get a mentor. 1 person and stick with em.
They will help you. Talk to you. Ect.

1st tank I always recommend around 40g. Maybe 50 tops.
Protein skimmer yes.
Sump comes later. You got this 1993!
-d