Starting to get fed up

[Idech]

When I decided to convert my 75 g fresh to salty, I gave myself 1 year to decide if I liked it or not. I started my nano in march 2021 and my 75 gallons in october 22. So it will be a year for that tank in less than 2 months.

Today I caught myself thinking about what freshwater fish I would like to try. Why ?

Because a hobby is supposed to be fun, and I’m less and less sure this is one is, for me. I won’t buy any corals because I haven’t managed yet stability. And I went into this hobby to enjoy corals.

I have to buy products to replenish magnesium and calcium, probably because of growing coralline algae, since I don’t have that many corals. I have to dose silicate because of dinos. And what else.

Corals aren’t really thriving. They were, for about 3 months. Then, 5 months ago, they stopped. Some are okay, some not so okay. Most are still alive and a few have died. The ones that didn’t die are the one I got rid of (kenya tree and GSP).

I’m happy with my fish. They’re all in good health and I haven’t lost a single one. I only have 6, mind you but they do well together.

I will be thinking about all this but I just don’t see the end of it. I just don’t think I’ll reach stability before at least 6 months, maybe more. Meanwhile, I’m not going to buy corals just to look at them die.

Lots more thinking to do. Share your experience if you will.

 

[flyfisher2]

I'm sorry you are being stressed by your transition from fresh water to salt. I kept fresh water fish for many years and then went on to African Cichlids ( started adding a little salt). After that I went into salt and honestly it was a back and forth thing. Finally I went into reefing wholeheartedly with my wife back in 2012 and never went back to fresh water. To be honest, I enjoy the very things that seem to be a bother to you. Saltwater is not for everyone. It is more demanding than a fresh water tank and requires you handle issues as they arise. You will always be researching and discussing potential problems. Perhaps this is what keeps it so interesting to myself and so many others.
I would say that it is a hobby and as such should be FUN. If you aren't enjoying it then find something that you do like and think will give you pleasure for an extended period of time. Ultimately this a decision only you can make. Good luck

 

[shakacuz]

this hobby does have many frustrating moments, and everyone's experience/take on such moments are different from one another. but i definitely feel or have felt what you are currently feeling. i was in the same headspace as you with "getting fed up". i went from having bryopsis, to diatom's, to dino's, and now to cyano. and although there are many shortcuts and easy ways out, i decided to take on every challenge in a holistic/natural manner. no chemicals. corals tend to "stall" for me. growing readily one month, then stopping in another or randomly dying... very gut wrenching. but i try to learn from every decision or mistake as frustrating as it may be.

but! i feel good looking at the tank while the lights are on, or winding down for the day to realize how far i've come! there have been days i look at my tank and am not satisfied or look at every imperfection, but then i have company over and they can't stop looking at the tank or complimenting it.

 

[trainbob]

I am sorta shocked wish my tank looked as good as yours does. Plus no deaths

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

This hobby is frustrating as hell. I went fowlr for years due to a nasty tank crash about 15 years ago. Currently going through the drama of a tank breakdown due to house issues(shared wall leak) and a seam failing on my 120g. Watching corals die (torch & hammer) and dealing with ich due to stress on the fish sucks. What I'm trying to say is that a tank has to still be enjoyable good and bad. If your frankly not feeling it, maybe it isn't for you, or change it up, try fowlr with some basic corals. I still don't touch sps for the fear of loosing mega dollars due to one parameter being off. Good luck with it either way!

 

[Double monti 61]

I say keep as it that system does not look horrible let it be tend to it but do not stress about what happens in the system as long as you have some healthy life they are more resilient to conditions in your system than the ones that are not doing so well I have had some losses in my tank and other coral and invertebrates that do very well maybe to well

 

[ABQ_CHRIS]

I'm sorry. The first year is the hardest, I think.

As much as I like the hobby and I want others to like it... quit if you aren't enjoying it. There are other ways to spend your money and time.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

It is all up to your tolerance level. Reefing requires some work every day. Something always goes wrong and needs to be fixed. I think of reefing as a lifestyle, not a hobby. Short, to no vacations, thousands of dollars down the drain, and high frustration and stress when it all seems to fall apart.
But the reward of the overall success outweighs the challenges for me. There will always be something wrong, but the journey is what makes it all worth it. You have a large support group here willing to help you succeed too.

 

[czoolander]

This hobby is tough if you are a perfectionist . I always see something wrong with my tank.

Now i go home look at the tank and go ........" oh there is a new zoanthid polyp" My rabbitfish looks fat and happy " My duncan coral is coming back from the dead "

What you said on your post was exactly my tank and probably still is my tank. In my short 3 years experience i find the best thing for my tank is consistant water changes.

When i was dosing and listening to all these dosing fan boys. My tank went downhill.

My tank looks best when i leave it alone and literally do nothing. Water changes every 2-5 weeks depending on my schedule

Try doing less and see what happens you might enjoy the results !!!!!!

 

[Double monti 61]

Thank god I am not a perfectionist life is not perfect!

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

It’s the journey, not the destination.

 

[Jmcdaniel0]

Are you using a true saltwater set up (tank and sump) or are you running hob stuff?

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Are you using a true saltwater set up (tank and sump) or are you running hob stuff?

What difference does that make? I've done both with great success.

 

[Rmckoy]

Many years of ups and downs but the key if you enjoy something to stick with the good and bad .

maturity does come eventually . But it’s like watching a apple tree grow .
you won’t get apples the first year.

as for your system consuming alkalinity calcium and magnesium .
you could keep on top of scraping coralline algae and let the rocks become covered .
Bad algae generally doesn’t grow where coralline algae is .

keep up with water changes , nutrient management and maintain everything as stable as possible . Including nutrients . ( be mindful of what goes in , will have to be removed later .
If nutrient levels are too low . Skip a water change that week or feed heavier .

Check out my build thread . I once had a 90 gal system filled with growing and happy sps corals and fish .

I have been battling cyano , flatworms , and gha for almost a year .
flatworms are gone but they kicked the crap out of my healthy happy system .

 

[reefah]

Hey man. Don’t give up. I considered my reefer 350 my first big boy tank and Sheeesh I was scared going into it after purchasing everything. But you wanna know something? I learn something every day! Fish got ich needed a UV… my phosphates too high. Needed GFO … tank looking cloudy.. needed carbon reactor, then I needed RO as I was having reaaaaaly bad algae. It felt like I too was about to give up but really this hoppy isn’t easy but what makes it amazing is seeing it through. I sit now with perfect water parameters for my tanks needs. Don’t chase numbers. Your corals will tell you what’s wrong. Everything just takes a little learning and time and the best part is we are all here on reef2reef to lend a hand. You got this. Trust me.

 

[Idech]

This hobby is tough if you are a perfectionist . I always see something wrong with my tank.

I am a perfectionist, trying to go off it, lol !

Everything just takes a little learning and time and the best part is we are all here on reef2reef to lend a hand. You got this. Trust me.

Yes, saltwater indeed takes time and there is always something new to learn.

Are you using a true saltwater set up (tank and sump) or are you running hob stuff?

I wanted to but could not find a way. I’m using top of the line Tunze filter, skimmer and ATO. Designed for saltwater.

I can’t complain, my equipment is working fine.

I really enjoyed reading all your experiences. Lots to think about.