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05/06/2015, 07:43 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 182
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This is worse than having a newborn
Every time I look at the tank and something has happened and I don't know why I totally freak out. Right now my RBTA is completely closed up for no apparent rhyme or reason. I know these things are going to happen but not knowing is kinda killing me. I am always afraid something is going wrong. Please tell me I am not the only newbie who is like this???
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05/06/2015, 08:06 PM | #2 |
Saltwater Addict
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Vandalia OHIO
Posts: 11,624
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Take a breath and RELAX! This is normal.
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Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs |
05/06/2015, 08:34 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,175
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yes please relax.. its abnormal for my RBTA to NOT shrivel up and/or expel waste on a daily basis. they do it often and you shouldn't worry about it.
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-Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns. |
05/06/2015, 08:41 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
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My son had his for about 3 to 4 months doing what yours is doing and then it deflated for almost 2 months still ate but it was adjusting to the lights. When it came back it had changed colors to its natural color (we didn't know it was bleached out) and it has started growing.
Yours is acting normal. |
05/06/2015, 08:42 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MI
Posts: 1,392
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Oh get used to it. You will be freaking over your tank for at least the first year. At some point it will get better but until then get used to some sleepless night
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05/06/2015, 08:46 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Mar 2015
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I have had both...
The tank may be worse |
05/06/2015, 08:46 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 113
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And no you aren't the only newbie who freaks out at first. Just keep researching, asking questions, reading and staring at your tank.
I will also suggest keeping a log to see patterns in how your tank reacts to what you do. At least at first. |
05/06/2015, 09:30 PM | #8 |
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Location: Tujunga, CA
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It's definitely worse than a newborn. Most nights after my family is asleep I'm in the living room in my underwear with a flashlight. I just can't help it... and at one point I made a thread just like yours.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2462251 |
05/06/2015, 09:56 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
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That made me literally LOL. I have thought every bit of that. I know it will get better, but man, it is definitely every bit as stressful as it is rewarding right now. And now I will be up all night long watching for my nem to expel waste.
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05/06/2015, 10:10 PM | #10 |
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It does get a little better. I'm 8 months in and don't get up in the middle of the night to check. Well, most of the time.
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"Get a reef tank!" they said. "It'll be relaxing!" they said. 65g mixed reef, 30g display fuge, 20L sump/pod fuge, ATI 4x24 + 2 Kessil A360NEs, Aquamaxx EM100, Gyre 130 |
05/07/2015, 07:41 AM | #11 |
Diver & Reef Aquarium Nut
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 1,127
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Think of it this way...
Regardless of your belief system, it took quite awhile to get everything just so with the creation of the earth. You are now taking and establishing your own little biosphere. The #1 thing in this hobby is patience. That doesn't mean you let things run amok, only that with reasonable care and persistence, things start happening down the road like magic and in a couple of years you'll still blow your mind looking at what you have. Don't forget to take lots of pictures. My wife and I are still amazed looking back at where things started and where they are today. |
05/07/2015, 07:41 AM | #12 |
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Location: Evansville, IN
Posts: 1,864
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There are two types of newbies. One is afraid they know nothing, will screw up everything, and is always in a panic. (these seem much more vocal and common)
The other assumes they know everything, will effortlessly make a perfect tank, and doesn't take action even as the titanic is sinking. (these can be far more annoying) I probably fell into the later camp. I came in as a teenage male, and having had experience with breeding FW angelfish and running a high-tech planted tank. I came in with an 'I got this' attitude. |
05/07/2015, 08:18 AM | #13 |
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Location: People's Communist Republic of Massachusetts
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I wish my newborn had stayed closed up. Foul stuff was constantly coming from both ends. ;>)
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05/07/2015, 08:22 AM | #14 |
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Location: Evansville, IN
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I wish kids were as easy as my tank. Throw them a little food every other day, give them a good bath on the weekends. Only look at them when you want to. Fairly quiet.
I'm only a part-time quasi parent to my girlfriend's 3 year old. I'm only around a few days a week, but what a headache! haha |
05/07/2015, 08:24 AM | #15 |
Aquaria Engineering
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 1,182
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This is not worse than a newborn, i would gladly clean my skimmer cup over diapers any day...
I don't think i fall into either camp though, as a newbie, i'm more worried about the mechanical aspect of the tank and water parameters. As long as i'm flood proof and keep the water in good condition, everything should be fine, at least that's my take on it. The corals and fish know what they are doing all we have to do is manage the water. i feel for ya man, i lost a few corals and was more angry then freaking out, but it's tough not knowing the why. I research these forums a lot and find a lot of tanks go down the drain, literally, when hobbyist start chasing numbers. This hobby is a great way to build patience, most of the problems i have had corrected themselves, hopefully it contiues that way.
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25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube |
05/07/2015, 09:41 AM | #16 | |
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05/07/2015, 09:45 AM | #17 |
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...at least my tank lets me sleep past 5 am every day, and doesnt make sure to wake me up like clock work 45 minutes after I fall asleep, and then again at 3:00.
On the standing in the living room in the dark in your underwear with a flashlight...I'm pretty sure that's just about all of us, and that has actually helped me save SEVERAL corals lives including this very morning. Night time is when you get to see what's really going on. I cant tell you how many times I've hit the tank with a flashlight, and found some form of jumbo fireworm munching on a coral, a shrimp ripping a duncan to shreds, or one lps reaching 6" away with stingers and mesenteric filaments totally consuming a neighboring coral I assumed had plenty of space, and gotten to move it just in the nick of time to save it. |
05/07/2015, 10:16 AM | #18 | |
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05/07/2015, 10:27 AM | #19 |
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Not really. This wasn't all in one night, but instead over the course of 3 years. Removed the hitchiker fireworm upon finding. duncan munching shrimp met its demise of natural causes, and coral fight has been broken up. Usually I like viewing the tank in the dark because the polyp extension is at its best. That and I get to see how many snails I truely have. It's not bad. Just getting at the fact that a tank takes on a whole new vibe in the dark hours of the night
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05/07/2015, 10:31 AM | #20 | |
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05/07/2015, 10:59 AM | #21 | |
Aquaria Engineering
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Location: Elkland, PA
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Quote:
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25g cube, split 10g sump with refugium, Jebao RW4, reefbreeder value Livestock adds: Osc Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Cherub Angel, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Serpent Brittle Star Current Tank Info: 25 gallon cube |
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05/07/2015, 11:37 AM | #22 | |
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05/07/2015, 11:38 AM | #23 |
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possibly to avoid predation. my frogspawn is open in the day closed at night as well
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05/07/2015, 11:45 AM | #24 |
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Ya I just did search.found out its ok. Myan are opened up like gangbusters all day.
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05/07/2015, 01:19 PM | #25 |
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Maybe tanks are like newborns. Your first one is really stressful but by the time you get to #3 you're pretty laid back about the whole thing.
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"Get a reef tank!" they said. "It'll be relaxing!" they said. 65g mixed reef, 30g display fuge, 20L sump/pod fuge, ATI 4x24 + 2 Kessil A360NEs, Aquamaxx EM100, Gyre 130 |
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