who has success?

[Delphinus]

Albert ... you've got to be kidding, you can't count that tank in the store as "a gorgeously maintained tank over the years".

Since you seemed to have completely forgotten about ME (which I'm sure was just a complete oversight, after all, I'm sure you don't really think of my tanks and accomplishments in the hobby over the last ten years as insignificant ), I'll have to toot my own horn, despite that it goes against everything I believe in .. I've been in the hobby for ten years now, and ...

Oh stow it, never mind. Those who have seen my tanks say they're nice. I think they're nice. That's enough for me. As for the original question ... anything worth doing is surely going to present a challenge sooner or later. You just have to learn when to roll with the ups and downs. Of course success is possible, most of us acheive it in some form or another (and possibly don't even realize it). Just recognize that nothing last forever, focuses and interests change, the time one can commit can change, and it causes us to change things around. Don't take the number of people "selling everything" as discouragement, we don't always know the circumstances. Maybe they just learned that they're about to give birth to triplets (this happened to a friend of mine, for real ) and they've had to adjust their routine somewhat. The problem is that the reef hobby tends to be equipment-rich - and by that I mean - you tend to soak up a lot of savings for the equipment - so even if you're going to take a break, sometimes it makes more sense to "divest your investments back into liquidity" rather than sit on a bunch of equipment.

I love the hobby - even with the ups and downs - I would miss it. So, even though there are times I challenge my involvement in it - I'm still here. I hope that as you embark on your reef journey that you get as obsessed with it as the rest of us

[michika]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Since you seemed to have completely forgotten about ME (which I'm sure was just a complete oversight)

I have to pipe up here, his tanks are beautiful! Granted its been a couple of years, but still I was blown away two years ago when I was there to collect frags.


On another note, I've been around since 2004, not a significant time by any means, but I've had a pretty smooth ride for the most part. I've upgraded from a 29 all the way to a 230g, and now I've temporary downgraded to a 25g. I love the hobby, and the best part about it was being able to sit at my table and just watch my tank, very rewarding, calming, and addictive.

[Captainhemo]

I too have been "in" the hobby since '04 and my tanks have had their ups and downs. I have been through some horrible health issues which have led to some periods of neglect for my tank but it is still going. I'm currently working at reviving it to its previous state.
I could have very ealsily just packed it up and given up on this hobby but it is far too rewarding to do that.
Three suggestiions to anyone starting out would be to go SLOW, read lots (there is sooo much information out there), and most of all, enjoy your reef !!

[RicePaddy]

I began reefing September 2006 and would never look back. At least once a week I learn something new about my tank. To date I have only had minor problems that have all been solved or in the process of being solved. I started very slowly with my only problems being black spot on my yellow tang (problem solved) and hitchikers on my live rock which I am in the process of taking care of. My sons loves watching me set traps in the tank and we just caught a rock crab yesterday and is now a pet in a tank of his own. The kids called him "Rocky". Once I am satified that my hitchiker problem is under control, I will be buying some hard corals. I cannot wait.

Oh, and you cannot discount the friendships you make during your journey. I have met many individuals on this site and have had very good sound advise from many a reefer.

In summary, I am one happy reefer.

Will

[Melina]

In summary, I am one happy reefer.

Will[/quote]

This is what I need to hear! Thanks. You know, most threads deal with problems people are having, but it's nice to hear that people are also enjoying their tanks! I'm going to take it very slow, and yes, I am reading as much as I can. I want to be a success story.

[Johnny Reefer]

I've been struggling with the definition of success for awhile now. I like to tell myself that it is in the eye of the beholder...to a point. I've been running a Reef and FOWLR for two? years now (seems like three for the reef). Tore both down and restarted once, due to a move. Both tanks have now been running again for 7 months. In terms of keeping fish and corals alive, I've been successful, with very few deaths. A couple of chromis; a clam; a cleaner shrimp. The clam death was entirely my stupid fault as I was Joe's Juicing Aiptasia that was on its shell. Lost a male Blue Chin Trigger once, too, but I'm certain it died due to shipping stress. It never did well from the start. So, in terms of keeping fish and corals alive...I consider myself successful.
Where I'm not so certain is the overall tanks themselves. The FOWLR is doing great. Nasty cyanobacteria has run it's course and pretty much gone, except for some in the sump.
The reef is another story. Had cyano here as well, but it too has all but dissappeared. Where I struggle with the term "success" is my ongoing battle with Aiptasia. I just can't seem to get it under control. I also now have a nasty hair algae problem as well. I have a mind to try a Racoon Butterfly for the Aiptasia problem, and a Sea Hare for the algae problem. In the meantime, however, I try to accept it by telling myself the tank has a more natural look. But I still find it hard to consider my reefkeeping a success.
In short, if success to you is keeping livestock alive then I echo Alberts comments re: information, patience, discipline and planning with emphasis on the information (ie: research) and patience. Especially patience. GO SLOW.
If success to you is keeping an award worthy, pristine reef tank...well....I hope you like a challenge.

Good luck and cheers,

[SuperFudge]

Hello,

I set up my first salwater a couple months after my daughter was born 16 yrs ago.

In reality i am more concerned with the time ive had sucsessful systems.....the countless wasted hours plying pointless techniques and equipment becuase there was no real books nor discussion forums for us all to learn from then, it made for a lot of "hobbiest experience" with little true value, other than i could tell you exactly what NOT to do.

To further my experience, many inhabitants paid dearly then.
The first one had a pink skull, a green bridge, a mandarin goby (ill surely burn for that one) a feather duster and crushed coral trickle filter...oh yeah and a lee`s protien skimmer at some point there aswell....damn those sucked.
I just cringe when i see a pic of that tank....no you cant see it, id have to kill you after.

Melina, Take your time with the system, stock corals slow and fish even slower.
Dosing is probably the most troublesome thing ive seen in peoples early systems....Stick to your salt, determine system consumption before additives are bought and finally being moderatly stocked, dose or add needed equipment accordingly.

Water changes are soon forgot by way too many, and this will be ALL the additives you need initially...so some are doomed from the start as they think a bottle of iodide or some of these "magic" gro`s will work better here.
The most demanding and first consideration are likley going to be calcium and carbonate replenishment. (Ca)+(Alk/DKH/KH).



Marc.

[Redrover]

I made a lot of goof's when I first started in salt water...before that freshwater going back to when I was a young lad...now a senior.
Take things slow...I believe that is the key...I had to learn the hard way.
There's a lot of people on Canreef that are willing to give out great info or where to find same...Mike / Marc have helped me...I have no regrets.

RJ

[digital-audiophile]

I've had a salt water tank running now for about 2 and a half years.

It started with a 10 Gallon then to a 30 Gallon to my present 90 Gallon.

I've had my ups and downs too, the worst being a tank crash a year ago when I moved my then 30G from my condo to my new house. I lost all my coral, I had over $1,500 worth of SPS and LPS die on me within 2 weeks of the move and that just about did me in, but my fish survived so I just kept going, although I went into the mode of just doing the bare minimum husbandry to keep everything alive but really got passionate again about 6 months ago when I upgraded to the 90G.

[albert_dao]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Albert ... you've got to be kidding, you can't count that tank in the store as "a gorgeously maintained tank over the years".

Since you seemed to have completely forgotten about ME (which I'm sure was just a complete oversight, after all, I'm sure you don't really think of my tanks and accomplishments in the hobby over the last ten years as insignificant ), I'll have to toot my own horn, despite that it goes against everything I believe in .. I've been in the hobby for ten years now, and ...

Oh stow it, never mind. Those who have seen my tanks say they're nice. I think they're nice. That's enough for me. As for the original question ... anything worth doing is surely going to present a challenge sooner or later. You just have to learn when to roll with the ups and downs. Of course success is possible, most of us acheive it in some form or another (and possibly don't even realize it). Just recognize that nothing last forever, focuses and interests change, the time one can commit can change, and it causes us to change things around. Don't take the number of people "selling everything" as discouragement, we don't always know the circumstances. Maybe they just learned that they're about to give birth to triplets (this happened to a friend of mine, for real ) and they've had to adjust their routine somewhat. The problem is that the reef hobby tends to be equipment-rich - and by that I mean - you tend to soak up a lot of savings for the equipment - so even if you're going to take a break, sometimes it makes more sense to "divest your investments back into liquidity" rather than sit on a bunch of equipment.

I love the hobby - even with the ups and downs - I would miss it. So, even though there are times I challenge my involvement in it - I'm still here. I hope that as you embark on your reef journey that you get as obsessed with it as the rest of us

I was gonna mention you Tony, but you're never quite as happy with your tank as the rest of us are :P

Just for the record, last time I was at Tony's, I and Cyril spent like half an hour oogling over the massive anemone and huge lump of Blue Ridge Coral. Very nice!

Actually, you should dig up pictures of your old SPS reef Tony! That was some sweet stuff.