Thanks for your thoughts/suggestions.
Below are my return thoughts:
Originally Posted by
Kilhullen
If the fishguy is the one maintaining it I would dare say he would be quick to say it looks well maintained and healthy. Not to say it isn't, but, why would he tell on himself that he hasn't been doing a good job (if he hasn't).
Allow me to clarify - he was not complimenting himself - he was complimenting my care of the tank in the 5 weeks since he was last here. In otherwords, my care of it between cleanings. He said my tank looked better than 80% of the tanks he cleans/services.
I considered hireing someone to maintain my tank as I don't know a lot yet, but I *PERSONALLY* feel like I can only trust myself and if I am going to do this, I want to make sure I am doing it right. I personally wouldn't hire someone to maintain my tank now (after reading enough posts from people saying here and elsewhere how they are getting "screwed" by poor quality). What are this guy's credentials? Do you know for sure he knows what he is talking about? There is a lot of difference between knowing how to keep fish, inverts, and corals and what their needs are.
I would like to take care of the tank all by myself, eventually, but due to time restraints have decided to let him do the water changes for a little while until I am comfortable. He has extensive experience with his own reef tanks and fowlr tanks and has been servicing my Mom's tank for a couple of years now. So far, when he disagrees with the LFS, he has turned out to be right. Today I told him all about this site, so it's possible he may show up here, and then he can defend himself if he wishes. But suffice it to say I did not pick him out of the phone book, and he maintains several successful tanks of his own.
It could be he is taking good care of you, but I would suggest maybe you at least know how to do your own tests and water changes. This way you know that if something like this comes up in the future (or a anemone dies or something drastic) you can take care of at least the basics until someone can get there. A tank can crash fast if the right problem were to arise.
I do test my own water, and I know how to do my own water changes, but would prefer not to, for the present.
Since the tank is FOWLR and has very few inhabitants right now, I feel pretty confident to deal with a crisis.
Ophiura is extremly knowlegeable about stars (and much more) so I also will suggest you keep a close eye on what (s)he asks and suggests. Good Luck to you and your star.
Thanks. I appreciate everyone's advice and input.
By the way, the star is a little active this evening, more so than he has been in a week or so.
