PLEASE help with trites

[poniegirl]

Originally Posted by cajamajo
I need to slow down, and let nature do its thing. At least the ammonia is 0. Everything will follow just like before. The fish are not breathing as fast as they were. They might just make it. I as freakin out trying to rush things. I will keep you posted!

It sounds like you need this hobby more than a lot of folks need it! It will take the place of that TV set :joy: Please don't give up.
I agree with jdragunas, avoid additives whenever you can.
Your tank will stabilize, just be patient.
As for the LR, please know that anytime you add a large amount of what your tank considers "foreign material", be it livestock or LR, there will be a chemical reaction.
Key words: Small changes, small problems. Big changes, big problems.

 

[a&a2]

I almost gave up for my first year in saltwater many times

It was my passion therefore I tended to rush things. Once I got so mad & frustrated with a new set up I figured---too bad & left thing go. Guess what? Things started turning around (after many losses). I realized it takes a tank a long time for it to become fully established (like 1 year). Give it some time & relax! Things will go your way! As for the people on this board. There are alot who give good advice, but some try to help & really don't know what they're talking about

. Do you have any good books on saltwater setups?

 

[mandarin w]

I also went thru alot of fish, and hands full of hair. At times I thought I better save my money for a
wig :hilarious .
If I upset you, I did not mean to, and if I misread something I am sorry, I work midnights and sometimes I read this to whin down to go to bed.
I also was off work for a long period of time, (torn achille tendon, so I know what you are going through) You feel like everything is going down the toilet, and if this doesn't make it that is it. It will, and can make it. But the most important thing is to be patient. Don't rush it.
In July I set up my 180, I use all the rock and sand that I had cureing for over 8 months to a year,in a couple of 75's and 29, so I believed I should not have a cycle. The LR and LS went from one tank to the other, not even out of water for a minute. I figured I wouldn't have that bad of a cycle. Well i'm going on month number two, and I still have my diatoms all over the place. It drives me crazy.
Just to let you know, no matter how much experience you have, how well you plan and prepare. THE TANK IS GOING TO DO, WHAT THE TANK WANTS TO DO. There is no way around that. All you can do is test and try to take care of problems as they come up. and one day, whoo hoo, your tank is taking care of itself for the most part. You just have your maintainance.
But even after four years, and ten plus tanks, I still get 50 different answers on any single question. But that is because not all tank are the same. and will react differently to the same situation. That is why it is so confussing

But I love it.

 

[jdragunas]

Originally Posted by mandarin w
THE TANK IS GOING TO DO, WHAT THE TANK WANTS TO DO.
AMEN TO THAT!!!

 

[a&a2]

I third that! :jumping: