Mr. Microscope Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 We all get frustrated with our tanks from time to time. After moving things around, I imagine your corals look a little peeved. Give them a week to puff back up again and you'll be happier with how the tank looks. A little activated carbon will also get your tank looking sparkling. If that doesn't satisfy you, sleep on it and figure out what is bothering your about your tank. Then, you get to have the fun of coming up with a plan of action which may involve thinking about going a new direction with the tank (different kinds of corals, livestock, rock, etc.), or you may realize there's a piece of equipment or supplement that you want to experiment with. Finally, there's always the endless sub-genres of the hobby to explore to reignite your passion. You could explore photography, some sort of biotope environment, or DIY LED's (or any other number of DIY projects (check out the DIY forums for inspiration)). There's boundless other avenues to explore. I also enjoy reading blogs such as reefbuilders and advancedaquarist. They are often a source of inspiration for me. Finally, there's always the trip to the LFS to get the reef blood pumping again Link to comment
kimberbee Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Good morning! Link to comment
kimberbee Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 We all get frustrated with our tanks from time to time. After moving things around, I imagine your corals look a little peeved. Give them a week to puff back up again and you'll be happier with how the tank looks. A little activated carbon will also get your tank looking sparkling. If that doesn't satisfy you, sleep on it and figure out what is bothering your about your tank. Then, you get to have the fun of coming up with a plan of action which may involve thinking about going a new direction with the tank (different kinds of corals, livestock, rock, etc.), or you may realize there's a piece of equipment or supplement that you want to experiment with. Finally, there's always the endless sub-genres of the hobby to explore to reignite your passion. You could explore photography, some sort of biotope environment, or DIY LED's (or any other number of DIY projects (check out the DIY forums for inspiration)). There's boundless other avenues to explore. I also enjoy reading blogs such as reefbuilders and advancedaquarist. They are often a source of inspiration for me. Finally, there's always the trip to the LFS to get the reef blood pumping again I had taken out the carbon when I dosed prazipro, and added it back after my water change yesterday. I already know this morning that there's a few adjustments I need to make to where some corals are sitting. I am a very organized person, and I think that my "rocks and corals tossed into a cube" bothers me. I crave symmetry, and organization. I want all my softies in one corner, all my SPS in another area, and it just doesn't work that way! I really like the idea of my next tank being more planned out and having it more organized. Link to comment
cindyp Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 i think you can do that with your second tank. also, self awareness is always good. you know what you want and crave, so work towards it, but also be kind and forgiving to yourself and your corals! it's a journey and a process--as with all things in life. especially with living organic things, it's not simply arranging alpahbetically or color coding and you're done and it's right. that's the joy of it. and also the messiness of it. Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 mebbe we should get into it with Fishgirl. Seriously, though. When I get bummed, I come onto the forums, look at nicer tanks than mine, get more bummed, and then reread their tank threads to see exactly what they are doing that I'm not. Link to comment
gena Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Feeling down about my tank tonight. I did my water change, coral re-arrange, and half assed glass cleaning tonight. After my torch died I moved a few things hoping to make them happier - but something about the way everything is situated seems "off" and I don't like it. And while moving things around I accidentally broke off a pea sized piece of my setosa. I super glued the tiny piece onto a little rock. Maybe it will grow. Just bummed. I should have tested my water after I did my maintenance, but I just don't wanna. Re-thinking if I should get a second tank, when I feel so blah about the one I have.. you know? The highs and lows of the reef-keeping hobby... What do you all do when you're feeling bummed and bored with your tank? Looks like you got lots of good advice . I went back and looked at your most recent FTS and it's perfection to me! I think Mr. M is right, you just need to let your corals rest from being moved and they will look happy again. Also I think your coral placement already looks pretty organized! Don't be so hard on yourself . Oh and I've found that buying something new for the tank has a magical way of reigniting the passion . Link to comment
owenj Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I'm kinda in the same boat, but about fish rather than my tank. I've had 3 fish die now in the space of...a month or so? Not all from the same tank, but yea, it gets disheartening when something is off and you don't know why. Give it some time, try to home in on what it is you're not happy about with the tank. And a trip to the LFS or shopping for something new in the tank doesn't hurt Link to comment
seanoli Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I'm with you on the scape thing. I hate mine (two huge rocks) and am trying to decide how I want to change it. Sorry about the torch. Good luck! Link to comment
ninjamyst Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 pick out something nice this Saturday from Reefwise =) Link to comment
kimberbee Posted December 31, 2014 Author Share Posted December 31, 2014 Alright, here we go, let's start with the good and get to the big issues later! Here's a purdy FTS I just took today. Yes, my corals did perk up a bit after I messed with them yesterday. I still have a few problems I need to sort out though. https://flic.kr/p/pFbxqa'>https://flic.kr/p/pFbxqa'>IMG_5673 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Here's my Mr. Setosa that is growing GREAT! The polyps are huge and wavy! I like how bumpy it grows! https://flic.kr/p/qBMcUv'>https://flic.kr/p/qBMcUv'>IMG_5681 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr https://flic.kr/p/pEXfDG'>https://flic.kr/p/pEXfDG'>IMG_5680 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr I broke off a pea sized piece yesterday by accident, but I have a feeling that it will grow up just fine. Cute little polyps are out, good sign, right?? https://flic.kr/p/qkoUFm'>https://flic.kr/p/qkoUFm'>IMG_5674 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Here's the Myagi tort I picked up. Seems to be holding it's color ok so far... https://flic.kr/p/pEXgAb'>https://flic.kr/p/pEXgAb'>IMG_5675 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Purple Iris acro has great PE and lookit that growth!! https://flic.kr/p/qBMffx'>https://flic.kr/p/qBMffx'>IMG_5693 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Seriously, this is one of my favorites! Polyps are always out in full force, now it just needs to GROW!! https://flic.kr/p/qzEMfQ'>https://flic.kr/p/qzEMfQ'>IMG_5687 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Even this guy still hasn't died and is starting to recover now that I have him mounted in place. https://flic.kr/p/pFbBkK'>https://flic.kr/p/pFbBkK'>IMG_5682 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Biggest problem child is this acro. It should be a deep purple-y green, and now it's more of a poop-ish brown-y pink. I moved it to the front where I think it will get better light (it may have been shadowed by my Xenia) and flow. Any suggestions in helping it along? I don't even see any polyps out anymore. https://flic.kr/p/qBWYui'>https://flic.kr/p/qBWYui'>IMG_5676 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr This is the left side of my tank. The setosa, sarmentosa, and other acro towards the top are growing and happy. But I don't really like the placement of the Myagi, hammer (the bottom one) and hydnophora. Just can't get this side to look right... https://flic.kr/p/qBTaiY'>https://flic.kr/p/qBTaiY'>IMG_5677 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Speaking of hammers, why do my hammers look like this sprawly, stringy mess? https://flic.kr/p/pFbwmB'>https://flic.kr/p/pFbwmB'>IMG_5678 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Why are they not compact and cute? https://flic.kr/p/qBMMxc'>https://flic.kr/p/qBMMxc'>hammer by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr Another issue I have is feeling like the front is too crowded. Trumpet got booted to the sand because of that acro. Plate is growing HUGE, and that pinky finger leather has grown to within 1/2 inch from the glass. It's getting very difficult to clean the glass or siphon the sand at the front of my tank!! https://flic.kr/p/pEXdFU'>https://flic.kr/p/pEXdFU'>IMG_5684 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr And a problem for the near future, but not right away... this guy is getting huge too! Last night before the water change (when he was VERY happy and puffed up) he was coming withing 1/2 inch of my powerhead!! Yikes! I don't want him to get sucked up!! https://flic.kr/p/qkvmVH'>https://flic.kr/p/qkvmVH'>IMG_5685 by https://www.flickr.com/people/33693274@N00/'>kimothy182, on Flickr I think I'm going to stick with what I have rock wise, or at least try to for a while. I have in mind a few things from this tank that will move to the second tank in a few months time. Once I've thinned my biocube out, I can add/remove/change my rockscape. I really think I just have bad rock in there... Any idea for working with what I have? Link to comment
ninjamyst Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 everything looks sooo pretty!! Link to comment
seanoli Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 You're tank really looks great. Link to comment
gena Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 See...I think it looks perfect as is . The hammer may be stretching for more light? Everything just needs to grow and fill in. You've done a great job of leaving space for them too! You are very lucky not to have any algae issues! That can be a real downer for reefers, and your tank is spotless . Embrace that tank and love it...it really is a beautiful reef! Link to comment
Mr. Microscope Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Wow! Looks good to me. Your setosa looks happy. Link to comment
teenyreef Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 It looks awesome, but I know how you feel. I always feel like I've got things in the "wrong" place, or that they are outgrowing the space available, or even that the colors don't go well together. Just one of those things that makes this such a frustrating but rewarding activity. I think your tank is looking beautiful, though Link to comment
metrokat Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Looks good Kimberbee. This is not a myagi, I'm thinking shortcake. Link to comment
HVani Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 I think things look great! You are doing better than I am. You have across growing. That's awesome. Link to comment
kimberbee Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Aw, shucks! Thanks everyone!! Wow! Looks good to me. Your setosa looks happy. My setosa is very happy!! If the second tiny one takes off too, I'll put it in my second tank! This is not a myagi, I'm thinking shortcake. For sure the guy at the LFS told me it was a myagi. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe the color has faded a little in the two weeks I've had it. I'm not saying you are wrong, I'm saying I'll deserve final judgement until it starts growing and coloring up. I definitely appreciate your input and will do a little looking into this! Link to comment
hey Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 my hammer did a puffing thing for a while like months when it was introduced to my tank, I got more flow on it and got my alk lower... from 11 to 9 and its back to what it looked like when purchased. Can't tell you which change did it but I suspect the flow, but those were my only 2 major changes. Link to comment
vlangel Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I love how your tank looks also. I think we sometimes just focus on what we imagine our tanks should look like and fixate on the areas that don't quite look like our visualization. We have to remember these are live creatures and give them the grace to grow in their own way, (with a little help of course) and embrace what happens. Your tank looks so healthy and thriving and it's artistic too. Just enjoy it. Link to comment
kimberbee Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 I wanted to come back and say thanks everyone! I guess I am too judgmental on my own tank. It's true I have had very few casualties and no algae issues, plus I can see that some of my corals are indeed growing and happy! So I'm doing great for a beginner! Going on a visit to the LFS tomorrow (Reefwise Meetup) and am hoping they still have clams. There were a bunch when I was there 2 weeks ago, but I wasn't confident that I would pick out a healthy one on my own. Any suggestions on how to pick out the best looking clam? If no clams, I'm not sure what I'll come home with... Any suggestions on a coral I should try? Link to comment
ninjamyst Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I think they are out of maximas but getting a new shipment next week. I been wanting a clam too so I been asking around =P. Link to comment
gena Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 I wanted to come back and say thanks everyone! I guess I am too judgmental on my own tank. It's true I have had very few casualties and no algae issues, plus I can see that some of my corals are indeed growing and happy! So I'm doing great for a beginner! Going on a visit to the LFS tomorrow (Reefwise Meetup) and am hoping they still have clams. There were a bunch when I was there 2 weeks ago, but I wasn't confident that I would pick out a healthy one on my own. Any suggestions on how to pick out the best looking clam? If no clams, I'm not sure what I'll come home with... Any suggestions on a coral I should try? Yay!!! Glad you are feeling better . Hmmmm...new coral. Looks like you have almost every type so maybe just the same thing but a new color that you love? I'd suggest a blasto but they can be such punks LOL. Maybe if you try a generic red and green one it would be ok. From my experience, the fancier the color the more difficult they are. Maybe just stay away from blastos all together . A clam would be awesome. I think as long as it's not gaping, it's a good one. I bought my gold maxima from the LFS and I had no idea what to look for as far as healthy, only that it wasn't gaping. So far so good over a year later! Link to comment
vlangel Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 When I picked my clam 2 years ago I didn't know how to pick a healthy one but I lucked out. I now know: 1. Look for a white growth line at the top of the shell where it meets the mantle. 2. Pass your hand over it and see if it momentarily shuts but then opens up again fairly quickly. 3. Look for a healthy mantle with no tears or marks and is opened and not pinched in appearance. 4. Clams that are 3" or bigger have a better survival rate. For a smaller tank a crocea grows slower and does not get as big as other clams. They do need high intensity light though. Mine has thrived under T5s but I do have it high in the tank. I will be anxious to see what you get. Link to comment
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