what keeps you going?

Madreefer · #1 04-19-2014, 03:12 PM

Cleaning skimmer, doing water changes, feeding etc...... it's all starting to become a PIA for me now. I'm not having any issues at all but i've lost alot of interest in this hobby as well. I thought a new tank build would spark my interest but nahh, did'nt help.

kien · #2 04-19-2014, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madreefer

Cleaning skimmer, doing water changes, feeding etc...... it's all starting to become a PIA for me now. I'm not having any issues at all but i've lost alot of interest in this hobby as well. I thought a new tank build would spark my interest but nahh, did'nt help.

No doubt about it, reefing can be a major chore..

Dearth · #3 04-20-2014, 12:07 AM

I know I've posted it before about why I stay in the hobby but.....

My neighbours and their kids came over today to look at my tank it wasn't very pretty to look at scummy glass and water stains on the outside. They came over for a quick look they ended up leaving close to an hour later as everybody was fascinated by my coral and the fish and the various inverts. The highlight of their time was everybody got to feel a real live coral those kids eyes just lit up something fierce and they were ecstatic that they got to have their very own snail shell. It makes all the difference in the world to see people fascinated by a miniature ecosystem

brotherd · #4 04-20-2014, 12:31 AM

Yep the kids do love the aquarium. They don't know what you want it to look like, they like it at face value.

kien · #5 04-20-2014, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brotherd

Yep the kids do love the aquarium. They don't know what you want it to look like, they like it at face value.

That's so true. We spend so much time fussing over this and stressing over that.. meanwhile, when our guests come by they appreciate the tank for what it is more so than we tend to. Most of the time we are concerned about what it isn't..

Coralgurl · #6 04-20-2014, 06:44 PM

Well Kien saved the day! Amazing how a reef meet to share ideas can turn things around.

I bought a mag 24 pump a while ago to pump water from the basement to the tank on the main floor but hadn't set it up. Wasn't sure how to control turning it on and off. Would I need to run an extra electrical switch at the tank, keep an eye on it, then run downstairs to turn it off.....nope. Kien suggested a light timer remote control.

Got it all set up today and I am officially done with buckets for both top off and water changes. Total plumbing bits, new membranes and controller cost $60.

So it's official, Kien is the man!!

Coralgurl · #7 11-12-2014, 04:46 PM

My much neglected tank finally received some TLC with a water change, new carbon & GFO and skimmer maintenance. I can actually see through the glass again as I spent some time scraping the algae off. Fish seem to be showing signs of improvement, have not seen any worms in them since treating with Seachems worm meds. I have ordered some levamosoli from the US to have on hand.

I have lost a ton of fish this year, currently down to 12. I do not have any issues with algae, but I have quite the aiptasia farm going, the buggers are EVERYWHERE - currently looking for a fish to devour the ones in the DT.

I have not tinkered with anything equipment wise and thankfully with the decreased bioload, the tank was able to sustain itself with the reduced filtration, lack of water changes - my skimmer keeps overfilling and overflowing and not sure what is causing this, but I've had it off for well over a month. Turned it back on yesterday and its still doing it, just letting it run for now.

I have not lost any corals, but honestly only have mostly softies. My GSP wall is ridiculous and now covers 3/4 of the back of the tank, but has also been devouring available rock space. I have 4 nems in the tank - my big RBTA split into 3, so I have large, med and small clones. You would think with 4 nems, my 3 clowns would be settled, but no, the Clarkii female claims the 3, the male clarkii gets the other RBTA, so my little b&w clown sneaks in wherever he can.

And my clam is the one coral that surprises me. It's still growing, seems to have moved slightly, but overall very healthy. I've had this guy for 3 years.

I'm still trying to find my groove and motivation with keeping the tank going, but still don't have the heart to shut it down. This year was insanely busy through the summer and things are now changing work wise that will have me taking courses for the next year. If I can get through the next 12 months with the tank, I think things will be golden.