DAZED AND CONFUSED!!!!!!!!!!

[dnorton1978]

I must admit, prior to reading all these post i thought i had my stuff together. My tank has been established for 8 months. Have not suffered a loss. My corals look great and colorful. Water is crystal clear, but here is the problem...
Each time i read these forums, and get replies i end up more confused. It always leaves my feeling like i am not doing anything right, my equipment stinks and everything else is just wrong. I know everyone gives there opinons and past expierence, but man, it is confusing.. Apparently i am doing something right because everything is thriving. Several pepole say my protien skimmer sucks.. Sea clone 100, okay for me it runs great. It produces dark dark brown to black stuff in the cup and functions perfect. Did i mention the smell in the cup, thats all that stinks about my sea clone. My tank is overstocked because i have 7 fish, but yet i do not have a nitrate, nitrite, amonia or any other water quality problem. I am not really in a position to give any newbies advice, but one thing i can say is gather as many opinons as possible and mix it with what little expierence you have. THen see what works for you. According to opinons my tank sounds like a aqua maricle.... Good luck, and try not to get discouraged like I am. And remember the old fashion advice if its not broken dont fix it....

 

[Anonymous]

dnorton,

I felt the same way you did. Don't get dazed, confused or discouraged!!! It's working for you. That does count for something. You have been having it working really well for you for 8 mos now.

You must read everyone's advice and make your own conclusion. What works for you may not work for another. As long as you are having success, keep it up.

The only real advice for a bioload as you have, test water often. Make sure your levels are good.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[dnorton1978]

thanks crissy.. How long have you been in the hobby? What is your day job?

 

[Anonymous]

It's been about a year for me in the hobby.

My day job is an administrative position for an oilfield company called Nabors Drilling.

 

[dnorton1978]

intersting... SO 1 year in the hobby? Over the year you have probably had good advice as well as bad advice right? DO you have any books you might recommend or a good source for information. I am guessing based on your fish selection you have kids that like NEMO. My first 2 fish in the tank were DORY and NEMO... I killed them because my intital tank was not properly cycled.. It was a sad sad day. I have not even considered those fish since. I broke my daughters heart..

 

[Anonymous]

I have had good and bad advice. There are very few people that I trust their advice. You just have to make your own conclusion by what works for you......REMEMBER THAT.

READ ALL YOU CAN!!! That helped me.

Read this:

- The New Marine Aquarium : Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide

- The Conscientious Marine Aquarist : A Commonsense Handbook for Successful Saltwater Hobbyists

- The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium (Vol. 1) (The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium)

- The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium (Vol. 2) (The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium)

- The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium (Vol. 3) (The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium)


Those are good selections for reading.

My son loves NEMO. He's 5 and loves the tank.

 

[dnorton1978]

Thanks again Crissy. My daughteri 6 and she loves it almost as much as i do. My son is almost 2 and he likes it a lot. Unfortunetly he like to put his hands all over the glass, but he is getting better. Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

No problem, any time. If I can't help, I will find someone who can.

Keep your head up!

 

[dnorton1978]

cvp7900


What is your opinion on sand bed depth? I think i have about 2 inches. If i needed to add more how difficult do you think it would be to add... I have read some say 4 inches, but i was looking for your opinion on this..

 

[Anonymous]

If you have a DSB, you are in more risk of having more nitrates in your tank. I have a egg crate with a fiberglass screen on top with the sand on top of that. I did that so that I can clean under the egg crate to get all the yukky's out. My SB is 5".

If you would like to add more sand, you may risk a little cycle in your tank. Just be aware of that i.e. frequent water changes to dilute cycle. Sand would get everywhere but you can blow that off with a baster or powerhead.

I say your sandbed is fine. Frankly, some people have a bare bottom tank and it works for them.

Just My Opinion

 

[dnorton1978]

cvp7900
Another question.. As for heater placement, mine is on suction cupped on the back of my tank, can i bury it or put it behind the rocks?

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not really sure about burying it (i'd have to refer to the instruction manual for warnings) but I have put mine behind the rock before.

 

[Anonymous]

You can't bury it, it needs to be in an area with some current. Behind rocks or other structures is fine.

 

[dnorton1978]

can it lay on the sand bed behind the rocks???

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sure as long as current can get in the place you want to lay it.

 

[SnowManSnow]

just hang in there. you'll find what works for you.

books that also helped me.. as far as corals go are.

J. Sprung : The Reef Aquarium VOLS 1 and 2.

There is a 3rd out now too.

B

 

[Anonymous]

What I've learned over the years I've been reefing (and much longer, keeping marine setups) all boils down to three simple rules.

#1 - PATIENCE is a fundamental requirement (and guage) for real success.

#2 - There is no one solution to any problem.

That said, there is no escaping the performance vectors of a given product. Modded for extra performance or not, it will only operate to the limit of its currently engineered vector. My entry-level unmodded Euroreef for instance, does not remove 1/2 of the "gunk" as the highest performing model. - Its just a fact of its design. - But it works for me and thats all I give a rip about..

So there ya go.. - A long-winded intro for:

#3 - Whatever works for you is all that matters.



Norm

 

[dnorton1978]

Norm, you are alright. Very good advice. Thank you.

 

[Anonymous]

Oopps.. - I forgot..

#4 - Seaclones suck.





Have a good weekend!

 

[dnorton1978]

WELL IT WORKS FOR ME AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.... I wise person once told me that...