Back in the Hobby

Bozburn · Aug 4, 2023

Hey everyone,

Back in the hobby after about 12 years of being out of it. Had a tank when I was up in college and finally decided to get back into it, but sometimes I wonder why I did.

Currently living in Brentwood but have a 260 gal tank and its driving me crazy right now. Fighting algae and trying to figure out why I cant keep any coral alive at all. Just went through a spell with my Blonde naso not eating for 2 weeks and is slowly recovering.

Some days I wonder why I got back into it. Looking forward to meeting new people and getting any advice possible.

kevgib67 · Aug 4, 2023

Welcome back, glad you are here! Sounds like you are going through what every tank goes through in the first year. Take it slow, set backs will continue until your tank is mature and stable but plow through and that beautiful tank that you are picturing in your head will be there in the end. If you started with dry rock it may take longer but you will still get there. Post a picture of your tank to help us better understand the problem.

LightingBug · Aug 4, 2023

Welcome from Lebanon. Jumping back in as well

Bozburn · Aug 4, 2023

Patience is something I am working on!

See attached pics, all of my SPS I had have died and my torch isnt doing great. Zoas are doing fine and ricordia is awesome but thats about it. Dealing with this algae right now.

LightingBug · Aug 4, 2023

Bozburn said:
Patience is something I am working on!

See attached pics, all of my SPS I had have died and my torch isnt doing great. Zoas are doing fine and ricordia is awesome but thats about it. Dealing with this algae right now.

The brown frown.

kevgib67 · Aug 4, 2023

How old is your tank?

Bozburn · Aug 4, 2023

kevgib67 said:
How old is your tank?

Put water in it about a year ago, added a handful of fish and an ich outbreak happened and wiped them out. Left it dormant for 90 days and started adding them back in December/January, but have been very slow with adding them.

kevgib67 · Aug 4, 2023

Bozburn said:
Put water in it about a year ago, added a handful of fish and an ich outbreak happened and wiped them out. Left it dormant for 90 days and started adding them back in December/January, but have been very slow with adding them.

I’m assuming the brown on the sand are dino’s? What is your nitrate and phosphate levels?

Bozburn · Aug 4, 2023

That's what I'm thinking.

Nitrate - 18 or so
Phosphate - .06

LightingBug · Aug 4, 2023

I can't tell from the picture what that is (nor am I an expert) but it could be dino's maybe diatoms?
Does it receed somewhat when the lights go off?

Bozburn · Aug 10, 2023

LightingBug said:
I can't tell from the picture what that is (nor am I an expert) but it could be dino's maybe diatoms?
Does it receed somewhat when the lights go off?

Just now realizing I didnt reply, yes it does and comes back during the day with the lights on and has bubbles in it.

I added actual live rock to the sump this week and am breaking it up each morning and doing coral snow while keeping the lights off for a few days.

On a plus note, in the past week I went from 2 BTA's to 4! Proud parent, now I gotta figure out wo I can give these away to.