bubblegurl
Member
I'm not going anywhere! There's so much info here! I just can't get over how welcoming this site is! I'm sure the same questions get asked many times, but everyone seems to want to help, it's really awesome!
Is this hobby always so frustrating?
- Thread starter bubblegurl
- Start date
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Haha, yeah, but some other forums like to get more technical and advanced. Maybe after awhile you can branch out if you feel the need to get more detailed info. Just remember to make this your home page!
We do get the same questions over and over... cyanobacteria, pest anemones, hair algae, lighting, flow, What equipment do I need, what's "cycling", how much rock, how much sand, do I need this, do I need that, are canister filters ok, what are these little white dots on my glass? hahahahaha
It's great when you can come across a totally new subject or find some tidbit of information that you haven't read or didn't fully understand. That to me makes this hobby worthwhile - because there is always something else out there.
We do get the same questions over and over... cyanobacteria, pest anemones, hair algae, lighting, flow, What equipment do I need, what's "cycling", how much rock, how much sand, do I need this, do I need that, are canister filters ok, what are these little white dots on my glass? hahahahaha
It's great when you can come across a totally new subject or find some tidbit of information that you haven't read or didn't fully understand. That to me makes this hobby worthwhile - because there is always something else out there.
tur4k
Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/140#post_3414214
Wow! Very cool! Would these be things I could start adding soon?
I don't see why not. Your water should be in pretty good shape after all of the water changes that you've been doing. You won't know if a coral is going to thrive in your tank until you try it. I tend to get what I like regardless of what people say should do well in my tank. Some don't make it. Some do very well. My tank is like kryptonite for Bubble Coral and Xenia. I just don't have any luck with those two corals. On the other hand, Porites Coral on my Xmas Tree rock and clams thrive. You just never know.
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/140#post_3414214
Wow! Very cool! Would these be things I could start adding soon?
I don't see why not. Your water should be in pretty good shape after all of the water changes that you've been doing. You won't know if a coral is going to thrive in your tank until you try it. I tend to get what I like regardless of what people say should do well in my tank. Some don't make it. Some do very well. My tank is like kryptonite for Bubble Coral and Xenia. I just don't have any luck with those two corals. On the other hand, Porites Coral on my Xmas Tree rock and clams thrive. You just never know.
bubblegurl
Member
Haha, yeah, but some other forums like to get more technical and advanced. Maybe after awhile you can branch out if you feel the need to get more detailed info. Just remember to make this your home page!
We do get the same questions over and over... cyanobacteria, pest anemones, hair algae, lighting, flow, What equipment do I need, what's "cycling", how much rock, how much sand, do I need this, do I need that, are canister filters ok, what are these little white dots on my glass? hahahahaha
It's great when you can come across a totally new subject or find some tidbit of information that you haven't read or didn't fully understand. That to me makes this hobby worthwhile - because there is always something else out there.
Haha, yep I post a question, get an answer then look to see if can find other posts on the subject....I honestly thought I had baby snails given the squirts that were going on last week, been watching to see if they were starting to show up! :rotfl: Good to know you never stop learning! Sounds like you are taking this to a whole new level from what I've read on another thread! Exciting!
bubblegurl
Member
I don't see why not. Your water should be in pretty good shape after all of the water changes that you've been doing. You won't know if a coral is going to thrive in your tank until you try it. I tend to get what I like regardless of what people say should do well in my tank. Some don't make it. Some do very well. My tank is like kryptonite for Bubble Coral and Xenia. I just don't have any luck with those two corals. On the other hand, Porites Coral on my Xmas Tree rock and clams thrive. You just never know.
Setting up for another water change for friday, retest on Saturday then should be good to change every 2 weeks. My bubble looks better every day. There's just so many choices, but I know ....slow and patience is key. I'm def gonna make sure I know what I'm buying before heading out. I've wanted to stop every day at the lfs but thought not such a great idea, I'm such an impulse buyer..lol
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Lol - when I go out of town, I stop at EVERY LFS that I can. It's addictive.
bubblegurl
Member
So I broke down today and got the mp40....will put it where the 10 is, move the 10 to the opposite side and move the koralia to the back and point it up. Retail therapy def makes getting a bloody speeding ticket much easier to deal with..lol
deejeff442
Active Member
with your sized tank i would lose the korilia.the 40 is a very pwerful powerhead.i have a 6 foot tank and when my 40 on the opposite end of the tank goes full speed i can hear a rush of water going into the overflow.you did the right thing .it took me a year to suck it up and spend the money on the two i have and wished i did it way back.the corals in my tank have just doubled in growing speed since i added the mp's
bubblegurl
Member
Ya, that 40 has some kick to it for sure. I actually left the 10 where it is and put the 40 opposite. I moved everything around like I said, but as soon as I turned the 40 on, my bubble completely retracted, hasn't done in quite a while. I might still have to move him, he's open, but not like he was, I couldn't see any fins before and now I can. Oh and the Koralia, its the Evolution 750 gph. When I was at the store last night comparing the Koralia 1 & 7 (all they had), there was a huge difference in the water flow to the 750, which was why I decided to get the 40. So I left it pointing down along the back of the tank, the skimmer is not quite in the corner of the tank and it does not look like a lot of flow in behind it (will use the string test), once I move the skimmer might place it on the other side of the tank along the back. I think it should be ok in there?? The 10 and 40 are placed closer to the top and my water is churning - finally got that really good tinkle lighting in the tank! The 40 is not cranked just for the break in period, don't think it needs to right up full, but probably halfway? The 10 is still on full. Last night my brain coral went beserk with the extra flow. Usually couldn't see his mouth when he was open, but he was spread out so big that his lips were puckering - think he was happy.
I'm not overly excited about spending all this moola on the equipment (boring), but I want to be able to add stuff to the tank and not go through this again, so better to do it right than panic later. And no algae on the glass 3 days straight! Have been turning the lights back on in the evenings so I (oops, we) can enjoy it after work.
I'm not overly excited about spending all this moola on the equipment (boring), but I want to be able to add stuff to the tank and not go through this again, so better to do it right than panic later. And no algae on the glass 3 days straight! Have been turning the lights back on in the evenings so I (oops, we) can enjoy it after work.
deejeff442
Active Member
i notice when i do a water change then crank the mp's back up withing 10 minutes my corals are huge trying to feed.the mp's are just awesome.i plan a couple mp60's for my big tank when i get it running this winter.gotta start saving now lol.
bubblegurl
Member
Can't wait to see the new tank get going! Seems like everyone ends up going bigger....we've already talked about it too. Most of the new stuff we've picked up would work on a bigger tank so why not....I'll watch my bubble, might just be placement. Big water change tomorrow!!! I also turned my skimmer down, reading about algae scrubbers and food in the tank etc...trying to pick up less than more. My poor cardinal was a bit upset about the extra flow, he sits on top of the frogspawn all the time, the 40 is right above it and the cardinal has moved down below, doesn't seem happy....
deejeff442
Active Member
yep i started with a 45 gallon 28 years ago.still have it ,i use it for mixing water with my old korilias.then 55,90,120,150,250 (now) and the 500 coming soon.sure makes it easier to keep upsizing when you already have 75% of the stuff for the bigger tank.it takes time to collect everything unless you win the lotto
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I started with a 20g reef and then went on to a 55, 90, 6x55s, 30x30s, 2x110, 2x125, 240. Then I sold everything or gave it away. Then a couple of months ago I just bought little 20g. I'm not going to upgrade again until I get out of college for good. I'll just make my 20g more and more complex over time. lol!
bubblegurl
Member
Whoa, you are both crazy! I hope we just do one upsize, probably 120 would be good. I will learn on this one for a while. Snake, how much longer for school? You can play in the big ocean when you are done..lol
Just got home, brain coral is so big!! He's loving the flow. My dry rock is starting to show signs of life, yellowy/green stuff on it. New live rock has a little as well. Every day something different! There's a small turquoise thing growing too! Not so frustrated anymore! Thanks!
Just got home, brain coral is so big!! He's loving the flow. My dry rock is starting to show signs of life, yellowy/green stuff on it. New live rock has a little as well. Every day something different! There's a small turquoise thing growing too! Not so frustrated anymore! Thanks!
acrylic51
Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/160#post_3414852
Whoa, you are both crazy! I hope we just do one upsize, probably 120 would be good. I will learn on this one for a while. Snake, how much longer for school? You can play in the big ocean when you are done..lol
Just got home, brain coral is so big!! He's loving the flow. My dry rock is starting to show signs of life, yellowy/green stuff on it. New live rock has a little as well. Every day something different! There's a small turquoise thing growing too! Not so frustrated anymore! Thanks!
Originally Posted by Bubblegurl http:///t/387494/is-this-hobby-always-so-frustrating/160#post_3414852
Whoa, you are both crazy! I hope we just do one upsize, probably 120 would be good. I will learn on this one for a while. Snake, how much longer for school? You can play in the big ocean when you are done..lol
Just got home, brain coral is so big!! He's loving the flow. My dry rock is starting to show signs of life, yellowy/green stuff on it. New live rock has a little as well. Every day something different! There's a small turquoise thing growing too! Not so frustrated anymore! Thanks!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Bubble,
I have four years at my local university without a degree. I'll be going back to college next year when my wife gets out of school. Going into Marine Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi for a bachelors, masters and hopefully doctorate. If USM accepts my credits from my local university, it should only take me nine years to get my doctorate. lol!!
I have four years at my local university without a degree. I'll be going back to college next year when my wife gets out of school. Going into Marine Biology at the University of Southern Mississippi for a bachelors, masters and hopefully doctorate. If USM accepts my credits from my local university, it should only take me nine years to get my doctorate. lol!!
bubblegurl
Member
So did your passion for marine biology start from this hobby, or the hobby start from your passion for marine biology? That's a long haul for schooling, good luck! I've seen some of your other threads, you seem to have a good head start!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Eh. went to a friends house one day to visit and his dad had a bunch of saltwater tanks. My friend asked if I wanted to watch him feed his tube anemone. He put a piece of shrimp in the tank and that anemone wrapped around it and sucked it in in the blink of an eye. I didn't know it could move so fast! I decided then and there that I would start my first saltwater aquarium. Since then I've always had a passion for saltwater aquaria. I thought that I could do well in business so I started a live fish store. But, after a while it was apparent that I wasn't very good at business. So, I shut down and lived vicariously through friends and clients aquariums for the past three years and went to school again for a little while - but I was still unsatisfied and I felt a void, so I dropped out of school to find myself. My wife asked me "What would you do if you could do anything in the world if money didn't matter, what would it be?" and then I chose the Marine Biology field, and this time - I couldn't be happier and I no longer feel like I have a void. So far, life is good and is back on track. 
I hope that answered your question.
I hope that answered your question.
bubblegurl
Member
That certainly did answer the question! I'm just 5 months in and can see how this hobby can get to ya. I've never seen a sw tank, except at seaworld, but not at someones home and I'm almost ummmm 40. Congrats on chasing your dream, life is too short to be doing something you don't love!