What's your biggest disappointment in this hobby?

[Spence]

Just wondering what kind of disappointments you all have had while trying to keep a certain setup. I'm not really looking into disasters such as a fire started by a heater or anything like that, but rather a setup you thought would be great and just never really worked.

My biggest disappointment has to be my JD tank. I've always loved the look of Dempsies and thought it would be great to have a nice pair. I bought a small group and found my male and female. Now after about a year they have got some decent size but I never see them. It may as well be an empty tank. They come out for feedings then quickly return to hide amongst the plants. Makes me kinda sad to have this cool looking fish that is never out and about. On top of that they do seem to be a pair, as they are always together, but not once have I seen any sign of spawning.

I'm considering moving out the Jacks and starting a small reef instead or possibly giving Africans a shot.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I failed to keep my Wallace’s shoehead alive because of my own stupidity

 

[MrsE88]

Plecos are my biggest disappointment. They look so cool and I was so fascinated by them growing up. But all they do is poop, hide, rip up plants, and waste space. I’m down to one, but my husband likes it so it’s staying unfortunately.

 

[Cichlidfever]

Not being able to keep all my favorites in one or two tanks, I have a 360 gallon and a 125 gallon, my favorites are; Ornatum, Umbee, Grammodes, Escondido, Stalsbergi, Grammodes, Festae, Midas, Chancho, and Green Terror. I can't keep none of them together, without problems

 

[A201]

Discus. I set up a Discus tank, stocked with Jack Wattley Turquoise, German Cobalt & Asian Turquoise. I kept them healthy & apparently happy for several years. I found them to be "beautifully boring". We had a big move and I had to rehome the Discus. I've never had the urge or desire to start up another Discus tank.
Spence, do the Africans. My second most disappointing setup was a marine tank. Lol.

 

[UncommonPleco]

Plecos are my biggest disappointment. They look so cool and I was so fascinated by them growing up. But all they do is poop, hide, rip up plants, and waste space. I’m down to one, but my husband likes it so it’s staying unfortunately.

The same can be said for a lot of humans in this world, but we still value and respect them for what they are.

I only keep pleco and catfish, to me they the have the highest of character, are extremely beautiful, and play a very important role in an ecosystem.

Setup a 180 gallon with heavy driftwood, defused lighting, floating plants, and a dozen various pleco. Then sit back an enjoy one of life’s most remarkable creatures.

Sorry but I take “waste of space” kinda insulting.

 

[skjl47]

 

[MrsE88]

The same can be said for a lot of humans in this world, but we still value and respect them for what they are.

I only keep pleco and catfish, to me they the have the highest of character, are extremely beautiful, and play a very important role in an ecosystem.

Setup a 180 gallon with heavy driftwood, defused lighting, floating plants, and a dozen various pleco. Then sit back an enjoy one of life’s most remarkable creatures.

Sorry but I take “waste of space” kinda insulting.

Well, We can’t all agree on everything.

I didn’t mean it as an insult to plecos. I still think they are very beautiful and cool in their own way. Just not a fish I personally care to keep because they take up space I could fill with a fish that I find personally more pleasing.

That is why every aquarist picks different stock after all. We don’t all love the same thing. And that’s perfectly ok.

 

[UncommonPleco]

Well, We can’t all agree on everything.

I didn’t mean it as an insult to plecos. I still think they are very beautiful and cool in their own way. Just not a fish I personally care to keep because they take up space I could fill with a fish that I find personally more pleasing.

That is why every aquarist picks different stock after all. We don’t all love the same thing. And that’s perfectly ok.

The issue isn’t about what we personally like or love, it’s about the term “waste of space”. I’m not fond of certain tropical or marine fish, or my neighbor lol, but I wouldn’t regard them as a waste of space.

 

[MrsE88]

So you are just personally insulated by a term you read? Ok.

I made it clear in my second post that in my own tank they waste space I can fill with fish I’d get more enjoyment from.

If that offends you I can’t imagine you can read much online without being offended left and right. Lol