5 best experiences in reefing - A little boost :-).

Hey all,

I have noticed a few people have had a bit of a wall with motivation when they have hit some hard times in their tanks. So I decided to make this little post to give people a boost .

I too have gone through some hard times, with fish deaths, nuisance algae, coral die-offs, but with the support of the lovely men and women of 3reef have pulled through every time .

Here are my top five best experiences in reefing so far:

5. First fish . Probably the first great experience every body has in reefing. I think if you ask anyone on here they will be able to tell you what their first fish was. Mine was a blue/green reef chromis .

4. First coral . Usually happens a little bit later than the first fish, but also a great experience. Its like bringing a little bit of the ocean home. My first coral was a green torch coral. The way it moved in the flow is still memorising! I can sit in front of the tank and just watch its polyps move from side to side for hours!

3. Cleaner shrimp cleaning my hand . A few months in to my reefing adventure I splurged and bought a red a line cleaner shrimp. My fondest memory of this little guy (who I still have btw), was a couple of days into his stay when I was moving rocks around he came over and started picking dead skin off my hand! it was awesome ahhahaha.

2. Harlequin Crab reaching up and grabbing food . For three or so months now I have had a harlequin crab. Amazing colouration and features. One of the most amazing (yet little) things I have ever experienced was the first time I attempted to feed him some shrimp. I got a small peice out and used some claws to pass it to him and he just reached up with his claw and took the peice he held that peice for hours, sitting under my sun coral and eating little bits .

1. Clown fish hosting anemone. My absolute number one experience in reefing. I have two oscellaris clown fish. One died from a swim bladder infection, but I got a replacement and they became a pair. The most amazing thing I have ever witnessed was when the clowns started to host my small pink bubble tip anemone. They started poking at it and rubbing up against it (whilst also having a little fit because they were being stung!), but eventually started lying on top off it and nuzzling into it . I remember that night I came home to see it. I think I sat in front on the tank and watched for hours .

So for all those people having some hard times, there are definately some good times to come . Keep going, don't give up and things will get there Regardless of how frustrating they may be in the mean time.

PS. Everybody should also post one or two amazing experiences they have had also .

 

While not necessarily reefing, my most rewarding SW tank experience was raising Ursla my Pacific Twin Spot Octopus from a tiny little newly hatched octopus to the old age of 10 months, she died of old age. She was the best and so smart.

Second would have to be Anemones hosting clowns.

Third, successfully growing little frags into colonies.

Fourth, having a Crocea clam so long it did actually create a crevice into the rock, miss that clam.

 

wow, I've had so many rewarding experiences (along with frustrations obviously) in my conversion to reef keeping. I'm still waiting on the elusive anemone/clown relationship. I remember finally getting my BTA after waiting a long time to get my nitrates down.

I've had many fascinating creatures over the years when keeping a FOWLR. Also really enjoyed having my engineer goby that last through 2 tank crashes - super cool fish. Since having the reef, I think adding in my first pulsing xenias was awesome - that was my first official coral and it survived! Getting my new ATI bulbs and the way it made my tank look was also a highlight. Having my black and white ocellaris clowns has been a true treat! I love how they always swim together and then snuggle at night. And finally, my pistol shrimp is so cool....I love the popping noise he makes and he's grown quite large at this point. So, that's more than a few high points but they definitely seem to outweigh the low points thus the wonder of this hobby!

Oh, and should have added, finding 3reef and all of the kind, patient, and helpful people here!

 

great thread! It's nice to remember the good times, especially when things may not be going so well at the moment. My absolute favorite thing is clowns hosting. Always puts a smile on my face. I also really enjoy feeding my tank. Seeing everyone (fish, stars, crabs, corals) come out to greet the mighty hand that feeds makes me feel like a proud mama!! ;D I'm happy that I can keep them fed and happy and it's very rewarding when challenging specimens take to the food I'm trying to give them

 

Having one of my photographs published next to Scott Michaels.

Having my Dad help finish the stand for the 210g. It's like it's Me and my Pop's stand, ya know? Found some of his blood in the garage from it the other day and he was here a year ago!

 

there lifespan is that short, tank raised ?

 

I have a couple...
One, my DIY projects actually working...
Two, getting clowns/anemone paired (along with a goby/pistol)
Three, acan lord popping off a new head.

 

Yup, that's it. :-(

 

Depends on the type of Octopus, but yes overall they have very short life spans. The Pacific Giant Octopus is 3-5 years, Twin Spots roughly 1-1.5 years.

The Twin Spot is commonly found in back bay areas of California. During the spring and early summer you can find their egg mass and wait for them to hatch. Females Octopi die after the hatching.

Octopi burn bright and die off early unfortunately.

Ursala loved interaction with people. The neighborhood kids would come by and she would come to the top of the tank and wave her tentacles around in the air wanting to be touched and say hi.

I kept her in the kitchen in a tank on the counter, she was so smart and interactive.

Octopus need specialized tanks and require much more attention than your average fish. Having an octopi is more like having a dog or a cat.

 

I'm still pretty new to the hobby, so my most rewarding experience so far is watching my clowns get a little bigger each month.

Runner up I would say is my mated banded coral shrimp - When during feeding time; the male runs out, grabs a bunch of pellets and shoves them in his mouth so he can run back to the cave and feed her before he comes out to feed himself. They are quite the pair!

Some other great experiences include the first water change, first corals, and watching my engineer goby make his own tunnels under the rocks (Thank goodness everything is stable!) he even hangs out in the "basement" under the rock the shrimp have a cave in - more like a loft I guess.

Am I reading this correctly?