I'm close

[BCOrchidGuy]

No advice from me, just a heartfelt suggestion and hoping you learn from my mistake(s). I can't tell you how hard it is to take down a tank and get rid of everything when it just gets to be to much, then at least for me I find I miss it so much I start all over again and I make some of the same mistakes and some new ones.

Don't make my mistakes, If it were me I'd take it all down again and then I'd wish I didn't in a few months. I'd spend more money than I should and I'd kick myself for not keeping things. Christy had some good advice, really good and I'm going to write that down for the next time something goes wrong... One battle at a time, not one whole battle but smaller ones I can win, one at a time.

Make the right decision for you and I sure hope it works out.

Doug

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Deb,

Glad to read that you're going to continue for now. Hope everything works out. If not, then I know you'll make the decision based on what's best for you & for your fishies. Hang in there.

Anthony

[Doug]

Hey Deb,
I think most of us long timers have been there, although I know thats no help for your tanks. Sometimes it just makes one want to bang their head on a wall. But we keep going, I guess because its such an enjoyable hobby when alls well, esp. for those of us that love pets/friends, which I know you do.

Passing on the flatworm fight may be fine for now, as they can be siphoned during water changes, increased current and getting them to that honkin skimmer you run. I would not, IMO, pass on getting after the aiptasia. Once they become plague like, its almost impossible to rid them.

Many use the peppermint shrimps and kalk the larger ones that you can reach. I had great success with my copperband but as most fish they can be 50/50 on their desire to eat them. We had good luck adding a small copperband to an established 180 with some larger fish, that would not allow the introduction of a medium sized copperband.

[Chad]

The past 8 months have been hell for my tank as well.. a mysterious die off of my sps. Not even RTN, just a fast colour loss and then eventual death. Luckily all my caps have recovered, almost to pre-die off stage. I had a huge algae problem I finaly got under control with my Rabbitfish.. god I love him .... now I have the small valonia.. which I grabbed some Emerald crabs for.. I tried them out in a small tank with a huge chunk of valonia and they went crazy for it, so I hope they work ... Otherwise, things are finally starting to get back to normal.

With going to school full time and work, its been tough to keep the tank maintenance, I basicly set a timer for 1 hr and just power through water changes etc..

Good luck

[Jim Barry]

Deb,

I know your heartache......we have shared our frustrations over the years, but somehow we keep going. I think somewhere deep inside... we all want to have a tank like Snappy's... that is why we keep going.

I have finally found the secret (I hope). After 5 months on ZeoVit, my tank has never looked better. bright colors on my SPS, no hair algae, excellent polyp extension and fantastic water clarity.

Before you throw in the towel....... try Zeovit... you will be sooo glad that you did !!

Deb ....come on over and see my tank !!


http://www.zeovit.com/modules.php?name=Jig

[Skimmerking]

BUt Zeo costs lots of money thou

[Jim Barry]

Zeovit cost is quite high in the initial startup. Once it is established, the cost is considerably less. Currently It is costing me about $50.00 per month.

It is the best $50.00 a month I can spend..... My corals are healthy and growing like crazy and my death rate is practically zero.

I was losing corals before due to water conditions, so for me it has been a great investment.

ZeoVit may not be for everyone......but if you are frustrated and having trouble with your tank, it could be the best money you spend.....

Trust me.... I have thrown a lot of money at this hobby.


Jim

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by Jim Barry

Deb,
I know your heartache......we have shared our frustrations over the years, but somehow we keep going. I think somewhere deep inside... we all want to have a tank like Snappy's... that is why we keep going.

Jim,
Thank you for your very kind & generous remarks.

Deb as I mentioned before in this thread if I can be of help in any way please let me know. I am with Jim on the zeovit, or at least the bacteria and amino acids concept. I am personally using the Polyp-Labs "Reef-Fresh" program with positive results, which includes their online support. It give a similar result like the zeovit but doesn't deplete the potassium which is absorbed into the zeolite minerals. The monthly cost is about the same except no reactor needed so a smaller start up. Whichever one of the programs of this nature you go with it will make a positive impact on your system's health. My adding in a large refugium also really helped my algae issues.
Good luck and all the best,

[albert_dao]

Zeovit doesn't absorb potassium. That's a myth that surrounds the whole zeolith process. Just to clarify, at super low nutrient levels, elements like potassium and other trace products become very important.