Throwing in the Towel

Dan_K1309 · Apr 17, 2019

After trying reefing for a year and a half and not having much success, we have decided to pull the plug. We lost too many fish and corals after trying everyone’s suggestions,which we greatly appreciated. From installing an RODI system,keeping water parameters where they need to be etc. It’s just not our cup of tea. We already have people who have offered to buy the equipment.It is a great hobby for a lot of people,just not us. This is a great community to get help and encouragement from. We wish you all the best!

DesertReefT4r · Apr 18, 2019

Sad. Yet another person giving up the hobby in under 2 years. My suggestion is to keep it up and not give up. Chances are your tank is going to stabilize and turn around on its own very soon. I figure 2 years for a new reefer to become successful. First year the tank would normally stabilize for an experienced reefer. For a new reefer the first year is different, first year will be hard on the new tank due to the learning curve a new reefer goes through on top of the tank being new and unstable. Deaths and algae may be common place during this time. The next 6 months the new reefer has learned how to run a reef tank and the tank will slowly come around and stabilize. By 2 years both the reefer and the tank find their groove and hobby becomes a much different experience in a good way.

BadPanda · Apr 18, 2019

Really sorry. Now I feel fortunate to have my set up running for a year with little problems. Why don't you try FOWLR for now before completely pulling the plug? I always go by this, once you go rock bottom, there's no other way but up.

Tamberav · Apr 18, 2019

Really sorry to hear. I have found small tanks around 10g with maybe 2 small fish and softies to be stress free and enjoyable. They don't break the bank either!

Heck even a 2g coral only vase with 100 percent water changes a week seems to run easily.

They say bigger is better but I find the small tanks simple since they can run on water changes.

I saw your tank is 50g but I find that an odd size to work with as it's not small enough you can do water changes like nothing and not big enough to really offer you big tank dilution protection.

Just something to think about.

Jinko · Apr 18, 2019

Marines arent for everyone, maybe think about a planted tropical tank instead (discus fish are cool).

DanInMichigan · Apr 18, 2019

I have a 20 gallon planted shrimp tank, with a few danios and a couple cool yellow mystery snails. Its not too difficult to maintain and the shrimp are really fun to watch.

Tastee · Apr 18, 2019

I’m 18 months in myself. Initially good. A couple of deaths that I was very unhappy about but thought I understood the reasons of so was still positive. Around 6 months in GHA started getting out of control and I tried a couple of measures to address the cause. The tank went downhill and I lost some more livestock. A lot of learning then ensued. At month 14 I was very discouraged but still determined. A couple of minor changes later however (the most significant to stop something) and things started to improve. Now looking very, very good.

I started my journey with 20 years basic FW experience and very quickly learned I knew almost nothing. I have since learned 1000x what I previously had. In my case this helped me understand (gradually) what was happening in my tank and get it to a good place.

This is a complicated hobby. Fully understand if it isn’t the one for you. But if you want to hang in, keep reading, thinking, measuring, watching and learning and you may be surprised where it gets you.

Joseph Honaker · Apr 18, 2019

Yeah your tank was going through the normal cycles that any reef tank goes through. I myself lost many corals, never fish, but corals. Every single successful reef tank out there has one through these hair algae stages and whatnot. What a shame should have stuck with it you were almost there.

madreefer11 · Apr 18, 2019

Tough beat...

norfolkgarden · Apr 18, 2019

Dan_K1309 said:
After trying reefing for a year and a half and not having much success, we have decided to pull the plug. We lost too many fish and corals after trying everyone’s suggestions,which we greatly appreciated. From installing an RODI system,keeping water parameters where they need to be etc. It’s just not our cup of tea. We already have people who have offered to buy the equipment.It is a great hobby for a lot of people,just not us. This is a great community to get help and encouragement from. We wish you all the best!

Thank you for the kind words to your fellow reefers.

Keep it in mind in the future.

A lot of people return to it after a break.

Can I ask where you were getting your fish?
Local or online?

I had a DBS tank that was bulletproof for 3 years. But they can easily have a limited lifespan due to organics building up in the sand.
Had no clue at the time. Was just enjoying the easy success until the DSB was 'full'.
Don't want to do another one yet.

Current iteration is a bare bottom and it is a pain. No stability, no SPS, fewer fish.

Misery just likes company. ;-)

Best in your future hobbies until you return.

WVNed · Apr 18, 2019

It's a hobby. It is supposed to make you happy. Go find one that does.

Live long and prosper.

EHaddad · Apr 18, 2019

New Reefer here! Don’t give up!! I still haven’t even set mine up yet and I’ve hit tons of problems. I’m still curing rock! I bought rock that everyone said you don’t need to cure it won’t leach phosphates. I started curing it to be on the safe side and here I am 4 months later and it’s still leaching Phosphates tons of water changes and additives to remove and and I’m still fighting it. DONT GIVE UP!!! If it was easy everyone would do it!

Dan_K1309 said:
After trying reefing for a year and a half and not having much success, we have decided to pull the plug. We lost too many fish and corals after trying everyone’s suggestions,which we greatly appreciated. From installing an RODI system,keeping water parameters where they need to be etc. It’s just not our cup of tea. We already have people who have offered to buy the equipment.It is a great hobby for a lot of people,just not us. This is a great community to get help and encouragement from. We wish you all the best!

shred5 · Apr 18, 2019

posted this in the wrong thread.

Dan_K1309 · Apr 18, 2019

We bought fish on line and lfs and same form corals. Will we return,doubtful. Thanks for your concern

Dan_K1309 · Apr 18, 2019

Thanks

Lowell Lemon · Apr 18, 2019

Jinko said:
Marines arent for everyone, maybe think about a planted tropical tank instead (discus fish are cool).

@Dan_K1309
No need to leave the forum....just post your planted or discus tank on the lounge for us to continue to enjoy fish and friendship together. I am watching one called 22 gallon planted right now. I think you would enjoy it!

Dan_K1309 · Apr 18, 2019

Thanks

jtl · Apr 18, 2019

I can relate to the OP. I have been in and out of the hobby a few times with nice long breaks in between. This iteration is almost 2 years and it will be my last. Things are going ok, I have lots of nice corals and several RFA's. I started everything from frags and most are now mini colonies. I have really not had any problems but I am just getting bored with the hobby so my plan is to start to develop an exit strategy. If I could find someone to take everything for a majorly discounted price I would probably do it now. The more likely scenario is to sell things piecemeal, something I am not looking forward to hence my foot dragging.

Lowell Lemon · Apr 18, 2019

@jtl and @Dan_K1309
Have you considered hiring a local maintenance company to manage the aquarium for you? It might be a win win for everyone! You can enjoy the Reef and they can keep it looking great! You have invested the lions share already so the monthly fee might not be all that large. Some companies offer a contract that specifies the type of fish and inverts you want to keep in your display.