Guess I'm Done

[CyberNinjaZ]

Hey all

I lost my female clown recently, as she decided to try to fly, which ended with her disappearance until I found her under a shelf, dried like a raisin. I've also had an outbreak of algae that is being very stubborn and difficult to remove. My urchin is giving it all she's got.

I've been on the look out for a 65 reef ready for a good while, now. It's been over a year and I've yet to find one within reasonable driving distance (less than 2 hours). My only local supply shop would order one for me, with an additional $160 plus tax fee. I refuse to pay that for a tank that is sold in other states without that add-on fee. Unfortunately and understandably, no one will ship it from out of state, either.

So, that leaves me with the decision to drastically over pay for everything here (ohio), keep my current build and hope everything doesn't die, or just give the critters away and accept the loss. Considering how I've been feeling lately, I think I'm going to find a good home for everyone and hang up the towel. It's just too difficult to find or do anything of value in this state, anymore. Maybe one day, when I inevitably move, I'll start up again.

This seems like an awesome community. Hopefully everyone else has better luck than myself.

 

[Lavey29]

This hobby can be a humbling experience. Just do what you feel is best for yourself and your animals given the current situation. You can always return to the hobby at any time.

 

[Chikpeas]

Definitely been there.

Ugly tank stages happen to Everyone. Algae will catch up with us all at some point or another. I’ve read of people that have lost $500 fish because they jumped the tank.
It happens to all of us fish keepers.

Hell, we’re not just recreating a little environment- we’re trying to recreate a part of the OCEAN.

My favorite lessons from some old time reefers and fish keepers; patience, research, preparation.

Maybe now would be a good time to take a break and reset. Research when you aren’t under the stress of your tanks situation.
Learn from all our mistakes in the meantime lol

Or, ride it out and grow a copepod farm in your tank!

Whatever you choose, hopefully it’ll get easier from here.

Wishing you the best

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Like these guys said, only you know what it right for you. Personally I have become dejected quit a couple of times. At least to me, there was a lot to learn. Patience was the first lesson I needed and the last one I got.

This place and another used to anger me greatly. I'd log in and see all of these beautiful tanks while I struggled.

I say hang on to your equipment. Take a break. Read the knowledgeable posts. Even if you don't think it pertains to your interests. But come back rested and ready for battle with new information and rejuvenated motivation.

Take it slow. Best of luck either way.

 

[19Mateo83]

Like these guys said, only you know what it right for you. Personally I have become dejected quit a couple of times. At least to me, there was a lot to learn. Patience was the first lesson I needed and the last one I got.

This place and another used to anger me greatly. I'd log in and see all of these beautiful tanks while I struggled.

I say hang on to your equipment. Take a break. Read the knowledgeable posts. Even if you don't think it pertains to your interests. But come back rested and ready for battle with new information and rejuvenated motivation.

Take it slow. Best of luck either way.

This is the best advice right here.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

I hurt my foot pretty bad a while ago and couldn't take for my tank. It almost completely crashed lost some coral. After my foot healed some I didn't feel like tackling my tank . Kept it on auto pilot with just feeding the fish and kept the all for reef full. I couldn't hardly see into my tank. It was that bad. I finally took a full day and got everything cleaned, did water changes and am so grateful I did. My coral that survived are coming back and coloring up. I am more stoked now than ever before. I almost gave up. I'm glad I didn't. Just my 2 pennies.

 

[Formulator]

Just curious - what’s the issue with Ohio that makes it difficult? Are there some kind of anti-reefing regulations?

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Just curious - what’s the issue with Ohio...

It's Ohio...

 

[Formulator]

It's Ohio.

LOL. But seriously. I mean, I live in Missouri… Though I am in St. Louis, so generally have all the amenities of a big city with the bonus of being able to drive 45 minutes to get to “the middle of nowhere”

 

[Chikpeas]

LOL. But seriously. I mean, I live in Missouri… Though I am in St. Louis, so generally have all the amenities of a big city with the bonus of being able to drive 45 minutes to get to “the middle of nowhere”

Wow— Lucky. Guess you can brag

It’s a 2.5 hour drive for anything saltwater for me… it’s RARE anyone posts anything halfway decent where I live. I understand OP’s struggle.

Then again with all the horror stories I hear about used tanks blowing out…. Hard pass…

 

[Formulator]

Wow— Lucky. Guess you can brag

It’s a 2.5 hour drive for anything saltwater for me… it’s RARE anyone posts anything halfway decent where I live. I understand OP’s struggle.

Then again with all the horror stories I hear about used tanks blowing out…. Hard pass…

Wow. Maybe I don’t appreciate what I have! We have 3-4 reef LFS in St. Louis. I guess I figured every city had them. Then again, St. Louis is bigger than it seems if you include the suburbs - close to 3 million folks.

 

[Lavey29]

Wow. Maybe I don’t appreciate what I have! We have 3-4 reef LFS in St. Louis. I guess I figured every city had them. Then again, St. Louis is bigger than it seems if you include the suburbs - close to 3 million folks.

It does have a few minor set backs to though

With a crime rate of 87 per one thousand residents, St. Louis has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 11.

 

[Chikpeas]

It does have a few minor set backs to though

With a crime rate of 87 per one thousand residents, St. Louis has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 11.

I’ll risk it for the fish.

Chicago is on my list for visiting sw stores.

 

[Fungusamongus]

Wishing you the best luck with whatever you choose. This is a tough hobby, and extremely expensive. Take a break, learn what you can about your current situation, and get back into it if/when you feel you can if you decide to go that route.

 

[Formulator]

It does have a few minor set backs to though

With a crime rate of 87 per one thousand residents, St. Louis has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 11.

That’s inflated due to historical reasons for separating The City of St. Louis from St. Louis County. In a metro of 3 million people, there is bound to be crime. When you take crime statistics for a population that big and use only the population of the City of St. Louis as the denominator (280,000), you get a really big number.

There are certainly places I wouldn’t go at night, but that’s true of almost any big city.

 

[bubbgee]

In the past 15 years, I've crashed multiple times, became frustrated with all the algae growing and stopped and restarted. It's normal. The hobby will always be there if/when you're ready to start over.

You can also ride it out, my last crash, I let the tank cycle for 2 years (partly because of covid shutting down most LFS) on just a fish and green hair algae. I started with corals this year and all I am finally getting the hang of it.

So listen to what you heart says. Happiness for us is in front of the aquarium. Whether its ours or someone else's.

 

[Formulator]

Sorry for hijacking your thread for off topic discussion of geography! I figure I owe you some hope.

In 2021 I got sick, had a hip replacement, and my first child was born (I’m 34, it was not a typical hip replacement). I also had some other health issues I won’t go into. I had been reefing for about 5 years and the tank looked great until aiptasia got involved and with my health issues and other responsibilities I completely caved. Just threw in the towel and stopped doing anything with the tank. The skimmer was left overflowing, water changes stopped, dosing stopped. Zero intervention. My wife fed the fish (most still eventually died). I had an ATO, but RODI resins went unchanged. It stayed like this for almost 3 years…. I got healthy at the end of last year and I got an itch for reefing again. In 6 months I’ve completely turned things around with nothing but siphoning detritus, many water changes, restart of normal intervention and dosing, and some careful selection of CUC members. Illustrated below .

The point is - you can always get back on the horse and no tank is beyond saving. Like others said though, do what’s best for you. This is supposed to be fun after all!

Before I gave up in 2021:

Death of a reef tank (2023):

Today:

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

It's Ohio...

Isn't @Tidal Gardens in Ohio? Than has a pretty sweet setup...

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Isn't @Tidal Gardens in Ohio? Than has a pretty sweet setup...

My only problem with Ohio is skyline chili.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

To the OP, Reefing is not for everyone, for some people it is harder than most. Not everybody can do it well.
I don't know what Reef ready system you can't get with free shipping from certain online retailers that would deliver to your door. But why let that hinder you, Do the research and build your own. If you are sure that is the answer to your problems. Many people have great successes with Fluval 13.5g's. Master that tank and you will be on your road to success.