Lost Interest

yanranicm85 · 03/31/2014, 10:51 AM

I have recently lost interest in my 48x18x36 110 gallon reef aquarium. I've had multiple die offs of corals and it just angered me that I gave up. All my fish are fine and I have some leather tree coral still surviving. I currently run a wet/dry, which I've heard are not the best filters and I have a crappy Marineland skimmer. I'd like to get a new pump, skimmer, and possibly a refugium or sump but not sure which. I'd also love to eventually at a Ecotech Vortech but I'm not exactly sure what size I would need or where I would need to place it or if one would even be enough. I have Ecoxotic Panarama Pro led lights and I'm trying to get those fixed because some of the leds have burnt out even though I've only had them a year and a half. I'd also like to upgrade the lighting system if they won't repair them for free. I have read a great deal about Aquaillumination lighting but wasn't sure about the reviews. Any help as to what type of filter(sump or refugium), pump, lighting and skimmer I would need would be greatly appreciated. I'd really like to fall back in love with my tank but at this point in time I'm at the point where I'm just about done. I'm willing to hold off on some things if that's necessary to get the tank back in working order. Any help/tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

ThisGuy12 · 03/31/2014, 10:55 AM

There's a saying in this hobby specifically "Nothing good happens quickly" following that mantra this hobby should teach patience. Those who aren't patient usually experience failures often.

Don't get discouraged! Post your tank specifications (water parameters, lighting, size, etc), and we'll try to help you out and determine your issues. Something is happening to cause your headaches.

yanranicm85 · 03/31/2014, 01:22 PM

What would be a good testing kit to purchase? I've tried one but it's so confusing that I couldn't figure it out.

ThisGuy12 · 03/31/2014, 01:27 PM

I personally use the Hagen Nutrafin Master Test Kit.

This one:
http://www.amazon.com/Nutrafin-Maste...aster+test+kit

As it is an all in one kit with the exception to magnesium which I purchased separately. The tests are very straight forward and easy to understand/comprehend, they are fairly accurate, one was slightly off from a friends exact same kit.

Like I said, don't get discouraged it isn't difficult once you figure it out, but it does take time to understand what is going on.

greech · 03/31/2014, 01:39 PM

You got a lot going on. My advice would be to think about what you really want out of your tank and then slowly build up the items you need to make that happen. There is no 1 size fits all in this hobby. Trial and error are a part of it but researching as much as you can will hopefully prevent any critical errors.

If your fish are doing great, then keep that up while you figure out what needs to be done to have a healthy reef.

It sounds like a larger sump may be in order but not sure how big your wet dry is. Whats the biggest tank you can fit in your stand? After that, a better skimmer would probably be my next step, followed by getting the lighting sorted out and possibly upgrading flow. There is no reason why all of that has to happen at once. Just stick with a good water change schedule and keep your fish happy for now.

Everybody goes through rough times with their tanks. You'll get over the hump soon enough.

Sk8r · 03/31/2014, 02:05 PM

You know enough now about how much care you're willing to put in; how much work you want it to be; and what your equipment can/can't do. So you're ahead of where you started.

Find your joy, as the saying goes. Pick what you know you CAN do and sustain with minimum fuss, take the precautions that protect you against problems, and then make a new tank with all you've learned.

TonyHNYC · 03/31/2014, 02:43 PM

what are you keeping currently? I own the AI Hydra and it is great. For a 48" tank, you will need two devices at minimum. What kind of corals were you keeping? What are your tank's parameters when this die off happened? (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, PO4) Did you use any medications for the fish?

I know...too many questions, but it will help us help you.

Boliramirez · 03/31/2014, 02:46 PM

I really undestand this feeling, but when I think all the equipment that I would have to let go and all the effort it took me to get it..... makes me keep going....

yanranicm85 · 04/02/2014, 09:15 AM

I currently just have fish and some finger leather corals that are surviving. Mostly everything else has just died off over time and that's why I'm looking to revamp the system. I bought one testing set but it was too confusing to even begin to attempt to use it. I'd like something straight forward and tells me what is going on. Any recommendations?

moe458 · 04/02/2014, 11:07 AM

I have used the API testkit for the basic ammonia, NO2, PH and No3 and it seemed to do it's job just fine. I haven't had issues with it. However, with phosphate kit it was a pain so I went down and bought a hanna phosphate kit and it was very good.

I'm ordering RedSea testkit to see how is that but so far i haven't had much issues. Just read the instructions and that's it.

yanranicm85 · 04/05/2014, 09:47 AM

Should I purchase a refugium or sump?

SmoothSmoke · 04/05/2014, 09:58 AM

It's easy to make your own sump. Even me, a total newbie to SW made my own. Petco is having their $1/gallon sale, the timing is perfect for you.

petere1989 · 04/05/2014, 10:46 AM

ya don't give up. i've been in the hobby for 2 years now and i'm still learning. i've had just about everything happen that can happen wrong and its definitely disheartening but the way I looked at it, this hobby is an investment and i was determined to get it right. so far, i've done pretty good the past 5 months, after i restarted completely (90 gallons) because of a massive algae outbreak. i learned from the mistake and know now what to do to prevent that.

as for your equipment, i've learned that buying cheap equipment will get you cheap results. if you spend money on a good skimmer it will save you in the long run from having to buy 2 or 3 skimmers...as i've had to do.

as for the sump/refugium you can get get one that is both which is probably the best way to go. or make one with one chamber for your sump/skimmer/return/ect...then a chamber for your fuge. i personally don't have a fuge so i can't really say much about them but it should be easy to do. good luck!

03/31/2014, 10:51 AM	#1
yanranicm85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 9	Lost Interest I have recently lost interest in my 48x18x36 110 gallon reef aquarium. I've had multiple die offs of corals and it just angered me that I gave up. All my fish are fine and I have some leather tree coral still surviving. I currently run a wet/dry, which I've heard are not the best filters and I have a crappy Marineland skimmer. I'd like to get a new pump, skimmer, and possibly a refugium or sump but not sure which. I'd also love to eventually at a Ecotech Vortech but I'm not exactly sure what size I would need or where I would need to place it or if one would even be enough. I have Ecoxotic Panarama Pro led lights and I'm trying to get those fixed because some of the leds have burnt out even though I've only had them a year and a half. I'd also like to upgrade the lighting system if they won't repair them for free. I have read a great deal about Aquaillumination lighting but wasn't sure about the reviews. Any help as to what type of filter(sump or refugium), pump, lighting and skimmer I would need would be greatly appreciated. I'd really like to fall back in love with my tank but at this point in time I'm at the point where I'm just about done. I'm willing to hold off on some things if that's necessary to get the tank back in working order. Any help/tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

03/31/2014, 01:22 PM	#3
yanranicm85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 9	Testing kit What would be a good testing kit to purchase? I've tried one but it's so confusing that I couldn't figure it out.

03/31/2014, 01:39 PM	#5
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	You got a lot going on. My advice would be to think about what you really want out of your tank and then slowly build up the items you need to make that happen. There is no 1 size fits all in this hobby. Trial and error are a part of it but researching as much as you can will hopefully prevent any critical errors. If your fish are doing great, then keep that up while you figure out what needs to be done to have a healthy reef. It sounds like a larger sump may be in order but not sure how big your wet dry is. Whats the biggest tank you can fit in your stand? After that, a better skimmer would probably be my next step, followed by getting the lighting sorted out and possibly upgrading flow. There is no reason why all of that has to happen at once. Just stick with a good water change schedule and keep your fish happy for now. Everybody goes through rough times with their tanks. You'll get over the hump soon enough. __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS

03/31/2014, 02:05 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	You know enough now about how much care you're willing to put in; how much work you want it to be; and what your equipment can/can't do. So you're ahead of where you started. Find your joy, as the saying goes. Pick what you know you CAN do and sustain with minimum fuss, take the precautions that protect you against problems, and then make a new tank with all you've learned. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/31/2014, 02:46 PM	#8
Boliramirez Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monterrey, NL, Mexico Posts: 46	I really undestand this feeling, but when I think all the equipment that I would have to let go and all the effort it took me to get it..... makes me keep going.... __________________ "If you are passing through hell, keep walking" Current Tank Info: 55 gallon tank

03/31/2014, 10:55 AM	#2
ThisGuy12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 822	There's a saying in this hobby specifically "Nothing good happens quickly" following that mantra this hobby should teach patience. Those who aren't patient usually experience failures often. Don't get discouraged! Post your tank specifications (water parameters, lighting, size, etc), and we'll try to help you out and determine your issues. Something is happening to cause your headaches.

03/31/2014, 01:27 PM	#4
ThisGuy12 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 822	I personally use the Hagen Nutrafin Master Test Kit. This one: http://www.amazon.com/Nutrafin-Maste...aster+test+kit As it is an all in one kit with the exception to magnesium which I purchased separately. The tests are very straight forward and easy to understand/comprehend, they are fairly accurate, one was slightly off from a friends exact same kit. Like I said, don't get discouraged it isn't difficult once you figure it out, but it does take time to understand what is going on.

03/31/2014, 02:43 PM	#7
TonyHNYC Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 307	what are you keeping currently? I own the AI Hydra and it is great. For a 48" tank, you will need two devices at minimum. What kind of corals were you keeping? What are your tank's parameters when this die off happened? (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, PO4) Did you use any medications for the fish? I know...too many questions, but it will help us help you.

04/02/2014, 09:15 AM	#9
yanranicm85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 9	I currently just have fish and some finger leather corals that are surviving. Mostly everything else has just died off over time and that's why I'm looking to revamp the system. I bought one testing set but it was too confusing to even begin to attempt to use it. I'd like something straight forward and tells me what is going on. Any recommendations?

04/02/2014, 11:07 AM	#10
moe458 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 312	I have used the API testkit for the basic ammonia, NO2, PH and No3 and it seemed to do it's job just fine. I haven't had issues with it. However, with phosphate kit it was a pain so I went down and bought a hanna phosphate kit and it was very good. I'm ordering RedSea testkit to see how is that but so far i haven't had much issues. Just read the instructions and that's it. __________________ 90 Gallon Tank with 65 Gal Sump SRO 3000 External Skimmer TLS 550 Reactor /w Rowaphos GFO Jebeo wp-40 wave maker Evergrow IT2080 Controllable Full Spectrum LED (32" Light) Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Tank 48" - 140 lbs LR

04/05/2014, 09:47 AM	#11
yanranicm85 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 9	Should I purchase a refugium or sump?

04/05/2014, 09:58 AM	#12
SmoothSmoke Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 411	It's easy to make your own sump. Even me, a total newbie to SW made my own. Petco is having their $1/gallon sale, the timing is perfect for you.

04/05/2014, 10:46 AM	#13
petere1989 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 949	ya don't give up. i've been in the hobby for 2 years now and i'm still learning. i've had just about everything happen that can happen wrong and its definitely disheartening but the way I looked at it, this hobby is an investment and i was determined to get it right. so far, i've done pretty good the past 5 months, after i restarted completely (90 gallons) because of a massive algae outbreak. i learned from the mistake and know now what to do to prevent that. as for your equipment, i've learned that buying cheap equipment will get you cheap results. if you spend money on a good skimmer it will save you in the long run from having to buy 2 or 3 skimmers...as i've had to do. as for the sump/refugium you can get get one that is both which is probably the best way to go. or make one with one chamber for your sump/skimmer/return/ect...then a chamber for your fuge. i personally don't have a fuge so i can't really say much about them but it should be easy to do. good luck!