Very Discouraged

In case you are wondering if I have made threads similar to this before, I have. The difference is, I am at a cross roads. Do I continue with salt or convert to fresh ?

I've never had trouble with fresh. I have some absolutely beautiful tanks. One is a discus tank & they are considered difficult to keep.

Salt is very different. In over 2 years, I have still not had success. I have a 10 gallon nano. In it, I have a very healthy sea anenome & clown. My frog spawn died & my other corals are not far behind. I have been trough many corals without success. It is not cheap. No one can fault me for trying.

All the parameters test well. The water is crystal clear & the rocks are covered with coralline. ( supposedly the sign of a healty aquaruim ) It does look healthy "from a distance."

I have done 10% weekly water changes. I've done the changes twice a week, cleaing the filter media in the disguarded water for one of them.

Some have said I am killing my tank with kindness. I should be doing a monthly water change or even 6 weeks.

I am @ a loss. What can I do ? Change to fresh ?

This is decision time & I really need you help !


Thanks.

 

sorry to hear of your troubles. It may well be that your tank is too small. Changes in a SW tank are much better buffered by having a larger capacity tank. I would suggest a 55g and up to any new SW hobbyists. As you learn about SW keeping, your tank will suffer less from errors if the system is larger. The smallest swing can quickly crash a small tank like 10g. Things like salinity, your other params are much harder to stabilize.

Can you list your parameters: AM, NI, NA, PH, ALK, CA, MAG, PO4

Also

- what is your salinity kept at
- what filtration/skimmer/equipment are you running
- how much live rock do you have
- what lights are you using
- are you using RO/DI water and dosing the tank with anything
- what is your live stock & how much do you feed

 

I am so sorry to hear anyone at a "cross roads"

But from what I hear Nano tanks are the most difficult to maintain since parameters can get out of control quick.
I have read that anemone 's can cause other corals grief and in a nano very difficult.

I have also been a fresh water enthusiast for over 15 years / then took a break when I needed to move - and passed on my tanks to a friend (who still has them) I also use to breed giant angles and discus.

I started a 75 gal sw and I have had minor algae issues - but since adding a fuge and GFO - My tank is very stable.
In my 75 gal right now I have a very low bioload till I start adding corals.

The start of a sw is the most difficult for sure - but I am now reaping the benefits.

I hope you keep working on things - life teaches us a lot - sw has taught me to be very patient.

Good luck

 

If you can afford it perhaps consider a 20 - 30 gal breeder tank.

A 10 gal nano has maybe 8 gal of water. With a larger system I think you have better luck.

You have probably already given a run down on the tanks equipment, but could you repeat it and post a FTS of the it, if possible.

 

bigger tank = less swing in parameters

 

I believe that maybe you are doing to many weekly water changes and maybe to much water at once for a water changes. IMO by doing that many water changes you are also removing the beneficial bacteria needed to sustain your tank. Coralline algae is like a new car, it may look good but it doesn't mean that it is good. I personally wouldn't give up. In addition to know what your parameters are, I like to know how much you are feeding and how many times a day you are feeding. Fish really don't eat everyday in the wild and will do just fine with feedings around 2 - 3 times a week in my opinion. Plus you have to account for copepods living in your tank that fish also eat when you are not present. But with a 10 gallon it will be a learning experience and should prep you in the future for a bigger tank.

 

The most important info for us to help you out would be a FULL run down of parameters and a rundown of your setup/maintenance.

Sorry to hear that you are having trouble but I must agree with everyone else that taking on the challenge of a small (nano) tank for a SW newbie is often frustrating!!!

BUT DONT GIVE UP!!!

There are so many helpful people here that you have a great opportunity to find out what is wrong, learn from your mistakes, and continue to fall in love with this hobby/way of life!!!!

 

Thanks so much for your suggestions, but, if you don't mind, could we shorten the process ? I have been all through the parameters, equipment, lighting etc, so many times ! ( with my LPS & other aquarists )

I know a nano is comlicated. I need to know, from others who have tried, what worked for them.

Please trust me. Just for the sake of arguement ( to save time ) can we assume that lighting, perameters, equipment, etc. are fine. THERE ARE ! I have been here so many times !

Please can we move on, just as I received the suggestion about feeding.

Could we talk about things like, the best way & how often to do water changes, etc.? Anything you think I could try that I have missed.

I use a sponge to clean the inside of my glass every morning. What do you think of that ?

Is it ok to handle you coral, if they are not growing well in a certain area?

I think it may be little things like that, that may help me.

It is certainly not your fault, but if I don't move on to other things. ( things I've been over 1000 times ) my tank will be completely dead.

Thanks. It's not that I don't appreciate your suggestions. I hope you understand. I just need to move on to new ground.

PS You're right. This site is terrific &, with your help, I WILL DO IT !

OceanSurf.

 

have you taken the advice given from your past thread?

http://www.3reef.com/forums/coral-health/whats-happening-99762-2.html

I still can't figure out what type of lights you have over the tank. Light is extremely important for the success of keeping any corals & the anemone I think you said you have.

We are asking so many questions because that's the only way we can give advice on what is going on to help.

 

you can quit most likely you will be back, the thrill of corals will pull you back even if they are what are discouraging you now.

No one will ever be able to quit this hobby, unless they never were really interested in it. The idea of your dream tank never being achieved will pull you back.

Even if someone gets their dream tank and leaves on a very high note, they probably will keep nano with rare zoas for as long as they can afterwards.