Is this hobby always so frustrating?
- Thread starter bubblegurl
- Start date
deejeff442
Active Member
i made a planet in middle school ...it was out of newspaper and glue around a balloon ...wasn't that hard to do.:O)
really one of the biggest mistakes new hobbiests make is not enough flow in the tank.before i got my mp40's i had 6 korilia #4's in my 250 tank and it wasnt no where near enough.i watch my sailfin tang all the time try to get some algae off my mp40 head on at full throttle and he gets right up to the thing.so add alot more flow to the tank and all will be good.
really one of the biggest mistakes new hobbiests make is not enough flow in the tank.before i got my mp40's i had 6 korilia #4's in my 250 tank and it wasnt no where near enough.i watch my sailfin tang all the time try to get some algae off my mp40 head on at full throttle and he gets right up to the thing.so add alot more flow to the tank and all will be good.
bubblegurl
Member
Yikes, just checked out pricing in local stores, that sucker ain't cheap! $500, the mp10 is $300. Will be out shopping this weekend for sure.
Pretty sure no one wants me creating planets...kids and tank are more than enough to work on for now...good grief, couldn't even imagine...lol
Skimmer still hasn't kicked in.....
Pretty sure no one wants me creating planets...kids and tank are more than enough to work on for now...good grief, couldn't even imagine...lol
Skimmer still hasn't kicked in.....
desertdawg
Member
Awesome thread, really nice to see Bubblegurl coming back to it as everyone tries to help!
I think you need twice as much rock to help out your tanks stability. But don't add it all at once..
I think you need twice as much rock to help out your tanks stability. But don't add it all at once..
bubblegurl
Member
I sincerely appreciate the feedback from everyone, and look forward to the responses. I just read through the 101 tips and yup, we've made a good number of mistakes and now trying to resolve.:cry: its clear how passionate people are about this and the responses to this thread has certainly helped get me going in the right direction and keep me motivated! Given the current conditions of the tank more live rock and pump in order? There's a frag swamp as part of a relocated stores grand opening this w/e, I checked out their rock last weekend, they have a lot of dry rock, would avoid adding more problems and it's cheaper. Would this work?
bubblegurl
Member
[VIDEO][/VIDEO]Awesome thread, really nice to see Bubblegurl coming back to it as everyone tries to help!
I think you need twice as much rock to help out your tanks stability. But don't add it all at once..Thanks for not making me feel like such a newb btw! I'm trying to read as much as possible, think my bf has become a reef widow....lol
I think you need twice as much rock to help out your tanks stability. But don't add it all at once..Thanks for not making me feel like such a newb btw! I'm trying to read as much as possible, think my bf has become a reef widow....lol
jerth6932
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/40#post_3410909
I sincerely appreciate the feedback from everyone, and look forward to the responses. I just read through the 101 tips and yup, we've made a good number of mistakes and now trying to resolve.
its clear how passionate people are about this and the responses to this thread has certainly helped get me going in the right direction and keep me motivated! Given the current conditions of the tank more live rock and pump in order? There's a frag swamp as part of a relocated stores grand opening this w/e, I checked out their rock last weekend, they have a lot of dry rock, would avoid adding more problems and it's cheaper. Would this work?
Yes, base rock will work fine. It takes it a bit to become live again, but def. worth it price wise! WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.... Don't feel alone.... how do you think we get such things as 101 tips? Yup, cause we've been there......
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/40#post_3410910
Thanks for not making me feel like such a newb btw! I'm trying to read as much as possible, think my bf has become a reef widow....lol
It is a good thing for him... he knows what millions of wives go through every day with all the men doing this hobby..... You aren't in a small class though: Meowzer, Flower, Gemmy, ect are here showing their girl power!!!! Makes my heart feel good when I see a female stick their hands in a tank and not get freaked out and jerk their hand out and squeal about something! (I do do it time to time.... normally when one of my female clowns bites me....... They do it when I forget about them...)
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/40#post_3410909
I sincerely appreciate the feedback from everyone, and look forward to the responses. I just read through the 101 tips and yup, we've made a good number of mistakes and now trying to resolve.
Yes, base rock will work fine. It takes it a bit to become live again, but def. worth it price wise! WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.... Don't feel alone.... how do you think we get such things as 101 tips? Yup, cause we've been there......
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/40#post_3410910
Thanks for not making me feel like such a newb btw! I'm trying to read as much as possible, think my bf has become a reef widow....lol
It is a good thing for him... he knows what millions of wives go through every day with all the men doing this hobby..... You aren't in a small class though: Meowzer, Flower, Gemmy, ect are here showing their girl power!!!! Makes my heart feel good when I see a female stick their hands in a tank and not get freaked out and jerk their hand out and squeal about something! (I do do it time to time.... normally when one of my female clowns bites me....... They do it when I forget about them...)
bubblegurl
Member
Well I'm excited about at least adding something fun in the tank this weekend (the rock). I've been slowly pulling all the dumb decorations, plain rocks out. Picked up the water this morning, will mix tonight. Still waiting for protein skimmer to kick in, anyone have experience with the Tunze brand? Ok, instructions say 72 hours which is later today, but I can hear the motor going, no nothing.
Flower and Meowzer have been extremely helpful so far - I actually thought there were more women than men just because they were the first to respond to earlier questions I had...
Honestly, the hand in tank to touch is going to take some time for the squeemishness to go away, but I'm getting better. Clowns bite?? I dangled my fingers in yesterday to see if they would do anything, they looked then swam away....my clown and chromis are enjoying the more flow in the tank (cranked to full), seem to play around it more, or catch the current and race...to the other side, hop out, go back and do it over and over and over again. Thise 2 hang out all the time, (we lost 2 clowns and 1 chromis early).
The bf is finding this amusing actually and isn't complaining at all, except when I ask him to hang lights, figure out instructions, and running forum comments by him.....finally convinced him his cute anenome is actually majano and needs to be removed.
To confirm, this weekend 20gl water change, additional pump (will try for the MP40 if I can find decent pricing), additional base rock (we currently have 20lbs, will likely pick up another 20 but not add all at once), new background for tank. No live anything (fish, corals, inverts). Also, need to work on seascaping, per the 101 tips, rock is on sand = not good. Will update test results and tank pics once completed.
Flower and Meowzer have been extremely helpful so far - I actually thought there were more women than men just because they were the first to respond to earlier questions I had...
Honestly, the hand in tank to touch is going to take some time for the squeemishness to go away, but I'm getting better. Clowns bite?? I dangled my fingers in yesterday to see if they would do anything, they looked then swam away....my clown and chromis are enjoying the more flow in the tank (cranked to full), seem to play around it more, or catch the current and race...to the other side, hop out, go back and do it over and over and over again. Thise 2 hang out all the time, (we lost 2 clowns and 1 chromis early).
The bf is finding this amusing actually and isn't complaining at all, except when I ask him to hang lights, figure out instructions, and running forum comments by him.....finally convinced him his cute anenome is actually majano and needs to be removed.
To confirm, this weekend 20gl water change, additional pump (will try for the MP40 if I can find decent pricing), additional base rock (we currently have 20lbs, will likely pick up another 20 but not add all at once), new background for tank. No live anything (fish, corals, inverts). Also, need to work on seascaping, per the 101 tips, rock is on sand = not good. Will update test results and tank pics once completed.
deejeff442
Active Member
just got done with a 40 gallon wc.not sure what you mean by skimmer not kicking in? i am not familiar with the tunze but any skimmer should make bubbles right from the start.might take a couple days to skimmer protein but sounds like something is not set up right.i looked online for the mp 40 .if you dont get it till end of next week thats fine .but since you have an mp10 and dont want to blow the cash on the 40 just get a korilia #4 .took me a year to suck it up and spend the money on the mp40's and the back up battery.but worth every penny.
i tell ya my orange shoulder and sailfin tang play in the mp40 all the time.
i tell ya my orange shoulder and sailfin tang play in the mp40 all the time.
bubblegurl
Member
Its not that I don't want to, its that this month alone has been pretty costly, corals, lights & skimmer -$1200 in August. That was our initial start up cost when we switched everything to SW. If it is dire need I'd pick up the MP40, then I will, its just another huge hit. Might look to see if anyone has one on kijii or ebay, but if the #4 works then might just go that route for now. American pricing seems so much better, will look online and see what I can find considering the exchange rate is pretty sweet. Could you PM for good online suppliers or my email address is sbrietsche@hotmail.com?
The skimmer was together when we got it, just had to plug one hose in and that's it. Plop in the tank and it goes. It does state to adjust every 24 hours but it should be doing something by now I would think.....no bubbles nothing. will pull it out when I get home.
The skimmer was together when we got it, just had to plug one hose in and that's it. Plop in the tank and it goes. It does state to adjust every 24 hours but it should be doing something by now I would think.....no bubbles nothing. will pull it out when I get home.
deejeff442
Active Member
yea a skimmer should make bubbles as soon as you plug it in .something is wrong.if i were you i would just do the korilia for now.ebay stores has great deals on them.seeing the mp10 pulses it will disturb the constant flow of the korilia.i still keep a #4 in my tank blowing across the back of the rock.along with the mp40's. they are a great powerhead for the money.
bubblegurl
Member
Ok now you can call me a newb....hose inside housing came off, all is good now, we have bubbles. Water is mixing, need bigger tub....will only hold 15 gallons. Snails have been at it again, hazy water when I got home. Will get a pump for sure, Plus a small one for water changes. Thanks for all the help!!
bubblegurl
Member
The skimmer is new, we knew it had a break in period but there was nothing going on. It's working now. Hopefully the algae will start to go away once we get everything cleaned up! Corals are doing much better as well so far.
bubblegurl
Member
Update-15 gl water change- did not take enough out for full 20 gl change, 10.5lbs live rock, 15 lbs dry rock added, koralia 4 pump. Have only tested salinity 1.026. Background removed but have not added a new one yet. Pics to come later.
deejeff442
Active Member
the #4 is a good pump i have like 8 of them in other tanks .15 gallons is plenty .the trick is to do more frequent changes instead of big ones once a month.
bubblegurl
Member
Well how's this, we stopped at a pet store to pick up a background so of course we look at tanks. Ours is only 55 gl, not 75, which explains why adding in so much rock was challenging. Already talking about going bigger, but will obviously wait until we get a bit more experience first.
I tried cleaning up as much of the algae off the sand as I could. We have better water movement on the top and the skimmer is starting to work. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to test, let things settle.
Aquascaping is a bit of an adventure....had to leave for a few hours to see if I liked it, looks alright, just weird.
Will likely change every week for now then every 2 as things get better.
So far all inhabitants seem happy and did not buy anything live at frag swap (except rock)!!!!!! Wanted to, but.......maybe in a couple of weeks!
Pics with parameters tomorrow!
I tried cleaning up as much of the algae off the sand as I could. We have better water movement on the top and the skimmer is starting to work. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to test, let things settle.
Aquascaping is a bit of an adventure....had to leave for a few hours to see if I liked it, looks alright, just weird.
Will likely change every week for now then every 2 as things get better.
So far all inhabitants seem happy and did not buy anything live at frag swap (except rock)!!!!!! Wanted to, but.......maybe in a couple of weeks!
Pics with parameters tomorrow!
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/40#post_3411576
Well how's this, we stopped at a pet store to pick up a background so of course we look at tanks. Ours is only 55 gl, not 75, which explains why adding in so much rock was challenging. Already talking about going bigger, but will obviously wait until we get a bit more experience first.
I tried cleaning up as much of the algae off the sand as I could. We have better water movement on the top and the skimmer is starting to work. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to test, let things settle.
Aquascaping is a bit of an adventure....had to leave for a few hours to see if I liked it, looks alright, just weird.
Will likely change every week for now then every 2 as things get better.
So far all inhabitants seem happy and did not buy anything live at frag swap (except rock)!!!!!! Wanted to, but.......maybe in a couple of weeks!
Pics with parameters tomorrow!
Rigging up a spray bar will help you. You can add on vertically and creat all kinds of good water flow across the tank.
If all you have in the tank is rock....I put my rock on a foam wall to save space in my 30g long, that could be an option for you too. A 55g is very narrow, and a rock wall will allow for more room in the tank for fish to swim and you can add just a few nice pieces of rock on the bottom of the tank. You wouldn't lose any natural filtration and yet have more space.
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/40#post_3411576
Well how's this, we stopped at a pet store to pick up a background so of course we look at tanks. Ours is only 55 gl, not 75, which explains why adding in so much rock was challenging. Already talking about going bigger, but will obviously wait until we get a bit more experience first.
I tried cleaning up as much of the algae off the sand as I could. We have better water movement on the top and the skimmer is starting to work. I'm going to wait until tomorrow to test, let things settle.
Aquascaping is a bit of an adventure....had to leave for a few hours to see if I liked it, looks alright, just weird.
Will likely change every week for now then every 2 as things get better.
So far all inhabitants seem happy and did not buy anything live at frag swap (except rock)!!!!!! Wanted to, but.......maybe in a couple of weeks!
Pics with parameters tomorrow!
Rigging up a spray bar will help you. You can add on vertically and creat all kinds of good water flow across the tank.
If all you have in the tank is rock....I put my rock on a foam wall to save space in my 30g long, that could be an option for you too. A 55g is very narrow, and a rock wall will allow for more room in the tank for fish to swim and you can add just a few nice pieces of rock on the bottom of the tank. You wouldn't lose any natural filtration and yet have more space.
bubblegurl
Member
Hi Flower, we looked to see if there was something quick at the pet store last night, but didn't see anything. I've given your instructions to my bf and when he gets a few minutes he will try to get something set up.
We have inhabitants in the tank. The extra rock was added as we still only had what we originally started with (20lbs). The tank is really narrow and trying to keep the rock off the glass, but it is touching in a couple of spots - is this bad? Its mostly placed closer to the back of the tank, and the new pump is pointed down along the back. I think the tang is feeling the squeeze and will probably have to find him a new home. I'll post a pic of how its set up. Thinking may be able to pile it on top of each other rather than spreading it out. Is this as effective? Also, would it be ok to pull the corals out and put in a separate bucket to move this around? Was really hard to work around them and make sure nothing fell on them. We only have 3 right now and as I didn't use all the water I mixed for the water change, I still have it, can add a small pump and thermonitor. Anyway, once I post the new pics, let me know your thoughts.
We have inhabitants in the tank. The extra rock was added as we still only had what we originally started with (20lbs). The tank is really narrow and trying to keep the rock off the glass, but it is touching in a couple of spots - is this bad? Its mostly placed closer to the back of the tank, and the new pump is pointed down along the back. I think the tang is feeling the squeeze and will probably have to find him a new home. I'll post a pic of how its set up. Thinking may be able to pile it on top of each other rather than spreading it out. Is this as effective? Also, would it be ok to pull the corals out and put in a separate bucket to move this around? Was really hard to work around them and make sure nothing fell on them. We only have 3 right now and as I didn't use all the water I mixed for the water change, I still have it, can add a small pump and thermonitor. Anyway, once I post the new pics, let me know your thoughts.
deejeff442
Active Member
i stack my rock leaning on the back glass wall.there wont be a problen if you do that.yes you can put the corals in some sw for a few hours if you need to .dont need a pump or heater .
i would put them in a bucket of water from the dt when you do a wc ,take out the water from the dt for the wc replace with the new water then just put the corals back.all these things in our tanks arent that fragile.with the mp10 and the #4 pump i dont see a need for a spraybar in a 55 gallon.
i would put them in a bucket of water from the dt when you do a wc ,take out the water from the dt for the wc replace with the new water then just put the corals back.all these things in our tanks arent that fragile.with the mp10 and the #4 pump i dont see a need for a spraybar in a 55 gallon.