What do you hate about reefkeeping?

[Uncle99]

Losing a friend.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Gatekeeping and toxicity in the community. It's getting a little ridiculous at this point, IMO.

Luckily I don't see it too much on Reef2Reef

 

[Anemone_Fanatic]

Luckily I don't see it too much on Reef2Reef

Not a lot of it here compared to other forums, but there's still enough.

 

[Seanb1]

C O P P E R B A N D

Out of all the things I've had happen, aptasia was the easiest to get rid of.
I got 25 nudibranch and 5 weeks later there were none left.
And I never seen 1 nudi after I put them in my tank.

 

[Seanb1]

If you've had the opportunity to keep a marine aquarium you know that it can bring some of the greatest joy and happiness of your life, but it has its moments when it's frustrating, devastating, or just is alot more challenging than what you signed up for. Whether it be a tank crash, a loss of your favorite fish, or just something that's downright annoying and frustirating like an aptasia or a hair algae and cyanno outbreak. That being said, what is something that you absolutely despise about reefkeeping, I'll go first.

1: vermited worms or burrowing clams, the wild favia I just picked up is infested with them and they're very hard to kill

2: tank crashes. Self explanatory

3: cyanno. also Self explanatory

4: GFO. Great at removing phosphates but covers anything in a 3 foot radius with GFO powder, a pain to clean up

5: water changes with a smaller RODI filter, it takes 8 hours


What's your list?

I think the 1 thing that has actually bothered me is the price of some corals from fellow reefers.
I get it, you grew em and it costs money.
But for instance just last week I was inquiring about some jf frags which turned out to cost more than buying from jf himself.
It's ridiculous sometimes.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Out of all the things I've had happen, aptasia was the easiest to get rid of.
I got 25 nudibranch and 5 weeks later there were none left.
And I never seen 1 nudi after I put them in my tank.

That's alot of nudibranch, how big is your tank?

 

[7of9]

I think the 1 thing that has actually bothered me is the price of some corals from fellow reefers.
I get it, you grew em and it costs money.
But for instance just last week I was inquiring about some jf frags which turned out to cost more than buying from jf himself.
It's ridiculous sometimes.

For some, it seems like it’s becoming the new MLM…with all the accompanying downsides. People went from Amway, to Le-vel to doterra to cryptocurrency and now the same people all have frag tanks on Instagram?

 

[i cant think]

Tangs.

Without a doubt I hate most tangs, black and yellow tangs are tied for number one fish I hate. Close second is a Scopas Tang.
Yes some tangs I like but most of the ones I like are huge fish that can reach 2-3 feet if fed properly. And others that I like can be ich magnets. I know my dream tang will forever be an Achilles.

Another thing I hate is when people say you don’t want certain fish for certain reasons. Now this is very broad I’m aware. However, what I mean by this is;

If the person who wants a certain fish can care for it, has the right tank for it and knows risks with the fish. Don’t just say ‘no you can’t have it because….’ I see copperbands being the most susceptible to this scenario.
Yes, sure the fish is a pain to get feeding but if the person is aware of how to feed the fish and all it’s difficulties, and also knows what the fish needs long term don’t just say a solid ‘no’. Yes this may be the easiest answer but in reality, ‘no’ isn’t an answer that is accepted without a reason for it. So if you were to say ‘no’ give a reason for it (and not just ‘it’s an ich magnet’ or something like that). Something like say it’s a Copperband and you don’t think the person can care for it then allow the person to learn how to care for it.

And that’s it for my mini rants (that second one may make complete nonsense haha).

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Tangs.

Without a doubt I hate most tangs, black and yellow tangs are tied for number one fish I hate. Close second is a Scopas Tang.
Yes some tangs I like but most of the ones I like are huge fish that can reach 2-3 feet if fed properly. And others that I like can be ich magnets. I know my dream tang will forever be an Achilles.

Another thing I hate is when people say you don’t want certain fish for certain reasons. Now this is very broad I’m aware. However, what I mean by this is;

If the person who wants a certain fish can care for it, has the right tank for it and knows risks with the fish. Don’t just say ‘no you can’t have it because….’ I see copperbands being the most susceptible to this scenario.
Yes, sure the fish is a pain to get feeding but if the person is aware of how to feed the fish and all it’s difficulties, and also knows what the fish needs long term don’t just say a solid ‘no’. Yes this may be the easiest answer but in reality, ‘no’ isn’t an answer that is accepted without a reason for it. So if you were to say ‘no’ give a reason for it (and not just ‘it’s an ich magnet’ or something like that). Something like say it’s a Copperband and you don’t think the person can care for it then allow the person to learn how to care for it.

And that’s it for my mini rants (that second one may make complete nonsense haha).

Probably the most relatable post yet! Tangs are overrated, (though I wouldn't mind an achilles ) and this is very controversial but in my opinion angelfish are also overrated. And yes, stop saying that you cant/shouldn't get this fish, though if the fish has a high chance of killing its tankmates or IS almost impossible to keep (moorish idol)

 

[i cant think]

Probably the most relatable post yet! Tangs are overrated, (though I wouldn't mind an achilles ) and this is very controversial but in my opinion angelfish are also overrated. And yes, stop saying that you cant/shouldn't get this fish, though if the fish has a high chance of killing its tankmates or IS almost impossible to keep (moorish idol)

If the fish is 100% impossible to keep or has aggression issues then I agree but generally I see people disagreeing with Copperbands because they’re hard to get eating… Hard but not impossible, if you’re up for it go for it!

Angels, I can understand the hype for them (I love them quite a bit) but some out there I just look at and think it’s bland, the Kingi is one for sure I find bland.

 

[MaxTremors]

Two of my favorite reef related things are zoanthids and puffer fish. I refuse to keep either of them bc of the toxins associated with each.

And now that I’m finally in my 40s … water is heavy. I have to figure out a better way of handling weekly water changes. Lugging buckets upstairs and outside isn’t as much fun as it used to be.

Puffers and zoanthids pose very little threat if you follow proper precautions, like you’re about a thousand times more likely to die in a car crash driving home from the LFS than you are to get seriously ill from either of them.

 

[themcnertney]

Its not something that I hate per say.

I really get frustrated when I read people upgrading tanks before they even have had a chance to get settled in.

Its like just a few short months or even in some cases weeks, they are already building a larger setup and transferring everything. Slow down, dang.

 

[boacvh]

If I'm being honest, the biggest issue in reef keeping is that most people learn the hard way. The information is out there yet the preferred method is to ask questions on a site to get answers from people with very little knowledge of the matrer that give bad advice and we're stuck in the perpetual cycle that never ends.

Amen!

 

[Surf985]

1. Bad business practices. Take the time to price your items. It's annoying if I have to ask for every single zoa I'm interested in - for both of us. Also: the amount of times I've almost gotten a piece for a 1/10 of what it cost because the employees didn't know either is frustrating. (One of these days I'm just walking out with that goni colony they thought was $20.)

2. Disengaged employees. If you work in a passion industry like this, share that passion with customers. Specifically:

3. Withheld advice. There's so much out there on fish, but we usually make the same mistakes and murder off things we care about on accident by one small mistake. If you sell me my first tang, ask if I have nori. Ask about what thrives in my take if im buying coral. I've only really noticed this now that I'm a few years in. I'll intentionally stop a customer that's clearly first timing it with something ive tried and talk to them. Every time, there's something super easy I can help contribute to better success. I dont expect you to give me everything. But a few tips go a long way. Because:

4. We all seem to make the same mistakes.

5. Regardless how much you research, there's usually that one little detail you overlooked. I'm still learning via forums, sites, experience, etc.

6. You spend way more money than you realize

7. Tanks are stupidly heavy. Why do I need a village to move that big one I want lol.

8. Delicacy. While beautiful, one wrong move (or power outtage) and the entirety of the tank crashes.

9. Oh crap I forgot about that moments an urchin bulldozes a coral you forgot you had because you hoard them and you notice it's face down in the sand a few days later. White plug plending in unnoticed.

And 10: I haven't figured out how to fund a farm lol

 

[Pickle_soup]

My wife complaining every time I buy new equipment or a large fish.

 

[CBonito]

Trends. I take a few years off and come back...everyone's got tank teepee dispensers in their sump...

That's just great...

 

[Reeflix]

Pests. Hate em. I feel that reefkeeping would be one of the most popular hobbies if it weren’t for the pests

 

[flashsmith]

+100 on the above. Pests are absolutely at the top of the list. I'm to the point with aiptasia to where I'm done with bringing coral in. There's always an issue with something and the cost of dosing and the time trying to nurse my tanks is no longer enjoyable to me. I'm to the point now that I've stocked known coral eaters to get rid of aiptasia in both of my systems. I'm going fish only the easy way at this point.

 

[DanATL]

If you are ever in the Atlanta area, check out LFS Pure Reef. Many of their fish and all of their corals are about 5 feet high. I th ink you would find it perfect if you are using a wheelchair. I find it frustrating since I’m 6’2” and have to bend over to see things.

Agree, Pure Reef has always been a pleasant browsing/shopping experience for me.

What does drive me nuts is the combination of dim store lighting and tiny price labels below the tanks. My old man eyes can't read that stuff! Bad enough on fish tanks but way worse when you have 5+ rows of corals and tags. Let alone can I barely read them I never know which tag refers to which corals. >>>>>>Premier Aquatics

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

After 3 months of water testing I can confidently state that cleaning the test tubes have to be the most annoying thing in the hobby, every other day I have to test alk, calcium and phosphate and I'm sick of it, can't wait till I can afford a trident.