ugh...Already burnt out. :(

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S

snow

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2009
1,498
2
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B.C.,Canada
Well It seems to me that comming to the salt side was the bad choice. I only started my tank 2 months ago and only got my first salt fish 1 month ago. I'm not really sure that starting off with a 175g tank was the best choice. I think I went to big. As in saying that in 1 month from now I will be starting to take down this tank, it will become a freshwater arrowana tank stingray tank, because of it's wide footprint. The cost of running the tank is passing and taking up my fish budget, I'd rather spend $800 on a nice stingray then salt, and stuff to keep the tank going. BUT I will not be getting out of salt completley. I will keep some live sand and rock and set-up my 29g tank as a saltwater tank. YES I know some people say small tanks are harder to maintain good water condtions but atleast it will be easy to clean and toy around with. I feel that this will be a much better idea with busy school work taking up most of my time. So if anyone wants my lookdown:(, miniatus grouper or live rock, skimmer etc...just let me know, but at the end of the month there will be a FS thread. Everything will be really cheap too, I'm going to sell the live rock at $3LB.
 
Sorry to hear we are losing a large canadian tank :( oh well it happens. I'd take your stuff off you but I can't have a setup right now as I'm probably moving in a few months and I don't want to set up just to take down lol.
 
I'm sorry it didn't work quite as you'd planned. A 175 is theoretically ideal as it allows enough space for a variety of salt "favorites", but when it comes to salt in general - it can be a whole other beast in up-keep and chemistry. Although it isn't "Hard" so to speak, it def requires a greater ammount of maintenance and precision. Don't be too hard on yourself though, a 29 is a great starting - or re-starting point to really grasp the basics, strengthen your knowledge, and revive the passion that got you interested in salt to begin with. Nothing wrong with downsizing for practical or financial reasons and I commend you for not completely throwing in the towel, but rather, opting for a do-over of sorts. Lookin forward to see what you do with the 29gal... and how you convert the 175!
 
I love my 4 gallon native tank. Just have two shore crabs (one male, one female) and some barnacles. Very fun. And with crabs, you really don't have to worry much about the exact chemistry. Just treat it like a freshwater tank and it works great. Sorry salt didn't work out for you. I can't even try yet on the fish side. The $ investment is not reasonable at this time.
 
BigO6687;4467041; said:
maybe i shouldn't start with a 180...
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Well if you think you can handle it go for it. There is a guy on my local saltwater forum that only been in the hobby 2 weeks, he was given two feeder fish or something. Then two weeks later he bought a full blown reef 180g system and seems to be doing well at it. It's just that the cost for me I think is to much to run a tank. I like FW b/c you buy a big jug of prime some cheap course or aquarium salt and your good to go for awhile. No extra costs.
 
snow;4467237; said:
Well if you think you can handle it go for it. There is a guy on my local saltwater forum that only been in the hobby 2 weeks, he was given two feeder fish or something. Then two weeks later he bought a full blown reef 180g system and seems to be doing well at it. It's just that the cost for me I think is to much to run a tank. I like FW b/c you buy a big jug of prime some cheap course or aquarium salt and your good to go for awhile. No extra costs.
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do you think you could go into detail with all the little things you had to do? thanks bro
 
BigO6687;4467241; said:
do you think you could go into detail with all the little things you had to do? thanks bro
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okay, in a nut shell here....
First, I couldn't get my ph right, took awhile but then finially got it. Then The water level in my sump goes at 2" a day. It evaporates really fast. I don't have room for an auto top off nor did I know I needed one. So I did it the simple way, set up a 30g and make that water near to what it's at in my main system. First of all I didn't want to set-up another tank with just water so that was a pain. I didn't have money for a proper ATO nor like the just said had room for a DIY system. Before I did this tank way the water was getting all wack and it I guess was hard on my fish. Second this new way although keeps everything in check is a pain b/c the big tank is downstairs and the 30g is upstairs. I don't like going up and down stairs daily with water. Also the way my tank is, and now this was my biggest problem so I'm sure it will be okay for you since my tank is custom made, but the tank is 31"w, and it against the stairs so it's hard to get at the back. It's also deep so it's harder to reach the bottom. To even get in the tank to work I have to take off this big a** canopy. If the tank was FW I would not have to get in the tank as much so no biggy. Despite these issues and I know I left some out I just can't think of any right now, I love the tank. It's a nice looking real show tank and it has a solid half inch thick glass on ALL sides so it's really awsome.
 
in no way am i disregarding what you're saying, thanks for this great advice, i might decide to go fresh with the 180 instead now, but do you think these changes would make a big difference?
snow;4467374; said:
okay, in a nut shell here....
First, I couldn't get my ph right, took awhile but then finially got it. which is one of the reasons why i'm thinking of just buying sea water from my lfs for 64 cents a gallon Then The water level in my sump goes at 2" a day. have some containers of sea water ready, but still sucks ass It evaporates really fast. I don't have room for an auto top off nor did I know I needed one. i wasn't even considering one, what if i had a tight fitting lid on the sump? So I did it the simple way, set up a 30g and make that water near to what it's at in my main system. First of all I didn't want to set-up another tank with just water so that was a pain. I didn't have money for a proper ATO whats an ATO? nor like the just said had room for a DIY system. Before I did this tank way the water was getting all wack and it I guess was hard on my fish. Second this new way although keeps everything in check is a pain b/c the big tank is downstairs and the 30g is upstairs. I don't like going up and down stairs daily with water. Also the way my tank is, and now this was my biggest problem so I'm sure it will be okay for you since my tank is custom made, but the tank is 31"w, and it against the stairs so it's hard to get at the back. It's also deep so it's harder to reach the bottom. how tall was yours? the one i plan on is 2 ft high, but with the stand, i'll probably need a stool to aquascape To even get in the tank to work I have to take off this big a** canopy. are the looks of a canopy worth it? If the tank was FW I would not have to get in the tank as much so no biggy. why did you need to get inside so often? Despite these issues and I know I left some out I just can't think of any right now, I love the tank. It's a nice looking real show tank and it has a solid half inch thick glass on ALL sides so it's really awsome.
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thanks bro.
 
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