Not enough time for the tank

[beerfish]

I need some ideas.

I've gotten incredibly busy, and am working towards a huge goal of mine, but it leaves me with little time for my reef. It's going to get worse before it gets better. It's just not fair to the inhabitants of the tank to keep things as they are lately.

So, what are my options? FOWLR? Break down? Downgrade? Any other thoughts?

I'm loathe to break down, and I won't sell my equipment if I do, since I'm not looking to get out of the hobby, but right now I barely find the time to keep the ATO full and feed the fish, and if things go well for me with the new venture, I'll be working long (albeit worthwhile) hours.

 

[Mattl22]

Pay someone to take care of it till u have more time

 

[beerfish]

LOL... Not a bad idea, but I'm dumping every last cent into the new venture as well. I really can't take on any additional expenses.

 

[xclusive252]

pay someone with a frag here and there u might find a really nice hobby buddy you trust or something to come over and help out even a friend or family member

 

[Brando457]

Bring everything to my house, I'll care for the tank as long as you buy the supplies and any corals I like we frag

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[beerfish]

Bring everything to my house, I'll care for the tank as long as you buy the supplies and any corals I like we frag

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Kind of defeats the purpose of having a tank then... but thanks!

 

[beerfish]

pay someone with a frag here and there u might find a really nice hobby buddy you trust or something to come over and help out even a friend or family member

I would, but this isn't really a short term thing. I couldn't ask someone to take on that much responsibility without paying them.

It may make it easier if I explain what I'm working on...

I'm starting a brewery. The next 6-12 months will be non-stop planning, saving and researching, as well as running pilot brews constantly.

Once it's running, I'll be continuing to work my day job and distributing, delivering and promoting at night and on weekends, as well as actually brewing. I'll also have to do events on weeknights and weekends to get my beer out there.

So that's where it stands. I'll have enough time to sleep, maybe eat (occasionally), and work.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

Break it down and start from scratch when you have the time..business before pleasure brotha. Maybe someone can hold down some of your stuff in the mean time. There's alot of members in NJ if you have anyone you are friends w/ maybe that's an option.

 

[beerfish]

Break it down and start from scratch when you have the time..business before pleasure brotha. Maybe someone can hold down some of your stuff in the mean time. There's alot of members in NJ if you have anyone you are friends w/ maybe that's an option.

I'd give most of the corals away... I just don't really want to be without something. I'm even considering freshwater at this point.

How much work would a fish only tank be? I've never had one, but I could probably convert easily. Give away the corals, stop turning on the MH and it's pretty much done, right?

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

pretty much ,I'll take your corals buddy =] You could do a cichlid tank..thats pretty simple just top off and you can do a water change every few weeks just throw on a decent filter

 

[beerfish]

Lol... not many corals in there right now.

How much difference is there between ciclid and fowlr?

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

cichlid is brackish it's not nearly as much of a PITA as saltwater you dont need to buy all that salt mix just simple aquarium salt which is very cheap. Add some to your water + a lil stress coat and you're good and you can throw it in right after mixing no 24 hr mix period. Alot of the fish are just as colorful as SW I have a few breeders we could get you fish from 1 is in staten island.

 

[beerfish]

Hmmmm... it's a thought. I enjoy ciclids, but have never kept them. Was thinking fowlr because I've always wanted a Lunare Wrasse. How often do fowlr people do water changes? Anyone have first hand experience with caring for one?

 

[KathyC]

Eric, even without first hand FOWLR experience, I can say that you'd still have to provide almost the same conditions as you do for a reef with the exception of the lighting (which saves you zero time & effort).
You'd still be mixing salt & topping off and having to do water changes and all.
If you let the tank conditions slide in any way you are exposing your rock and sand to absorbing the nasties which - you know - will cause you issues when/if you chose to switch it back to reef mode. So probably best to sell off the living things in there and get the rock and sand out to allow to dry out (or they will stink when you drain the tank), so that you can use them again in the future.

Two passions that demand such focus are hard to deal with at one time, cut yourself the slack and give 100% to your beer venture for now. You know you don't have to have a running tank to hang with us when you do have some down time

 

[beerfish]

Two passions that demand such focus are hard to deal with at one time, cut yourself the slack and give 100% to your beer venture for now. You know you don't have to have a running tank to hang with us when you do have some down time

You do realize that I don't want to hear your voice of reason! :shhh:

Ugh... I know I should probably break down, but I just don't want to be without a tank completely. It's such a great thing to come home to after a long day... and there are going to be some LONG days coming.

 

[xclusive252]

I say just do fish only tank maybe fresh water and you can enjoy the relaxing day in front of the tank. Looking at the tank helps me think and relax after long day of work so I understand. Do what you really feel you can handle with little help from family and friends and something you can enjoy still

 

[jaa1456]

If you can't commit do what is best and wait until you can.

 

[Donewiththisplace]

Well if you need any help sampling beer let me know...lol

 

[Imbarrie]

Fresh water tanks are so easy compared to reefs.
My in laws have a cichlid tank, no mixing, no algae concerns and almost no equipment. You can run a canister with regular maintenance.

Problem is they are not as interesting as reefs.


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[Oholic]

Not true there are some pretty nice cichlids out there color variations etc. I got a snow flake eel currently in my cichlid tank.... FW snow flake eel that is.... Very fiesty!