I'm close

[adidas]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

I don't think I've ever been this close to calling it quits after eight years in the hobby.

My FOWLR is a $*&$^%_) mess, we've been without any real circulation for so long, and the battle with the cyano and seeing the amount of detritus in there is giving me nightmares.

My 67g is finally my good growing SPS tank, and now I have flatworms, and aiptasia going nuts.

I'm tired. I'd like a holiday.

We don't have the tech knowledge we need to, and it doesn't seem there is anyone out there reliable enough to hire to solve our equipment maintenance problems. We buy things, like the mixing station from medican, but then we have no idea how to hook it up.

I'm frustrated, sick and tired.

i've got a bit of chemi-clean and flatworm exit here if you need a dose!

[hawk]

Maybe you do need a break. If and when you get back in you can design a system and make all the changes you wished you had done the first time around. You have been in the hobby long enough to know "why" your current problems exist as well as the solutions. Look at it as a chance to start fresh but with alot more knowledge. When I re-did my system, I knew what worked last time and made the changes to make things better. It was a long process but it definitely reinvigorated my interest.

[EmilyB]

Thank you all so much for your support and criticism.

Tony

I know what you mean. I have pics of my tanks the first few years in the hobby and when I look back at them, I wonder where all of this tech crap has really got me.

Ken

Your kind words and what I remember of your tanks is an inspiration.

Woodcarver

Thankyou and hope to see your new tank soon.

Bev

Both tanks are BB. I regulary kalk the aiptasia I can reach. Another tank teardown to get them all I just can't face right now. So I'll ignore them as Christy suggested to me today.

The flatworms are not that numerous, just mostly in a low flow area to I'll try to attack that and ignore them as well.

Stinky, harsh words but true. We haven't been doing water changes as frequently due to my husbands pre and post op problems with his ankle. I have spondolythesis (degenerative spinal condition) or I'd be all over a lot more than the tanks !

Christy, be glad you can't come visit. And having anyone come see that FOWLR right now would mortify me.

Everyone else

Thanks for your comments in this thread. We will work on getting the pump running again on the 230g this weekend. I'll order a vortech and step up the water changes. And ignore the aiptasia and flatworms for now.....



I looked at Trig and Spiffy today, and having two 8 yr old fish helped me decide to fight a little longer.

[Delphinus]

Hang in there. We all have our moments of clarity, thankfully the insanity comes back soon!

Having fish for 8 years is truly a good measure of something.

cheers

[BMW Rider]

I have noticed that my tanks seem to be cyclical. For a while they are looking great, things are growing, its well stocked, no problems. Then next thing you know, something turns sour and things start to die, recede, or a pest get out of control. Then you fight back; get it turned around until the next cycle starts.

Its quite discouraging to see things go bad, I know recently I had a mass of RTN on most of my sps. Seemed to be no real reason for it, but it has turned around now. Lost a few, the rest are regrowing, some quite well. Now I have a bit of nuisance algae coming back, so I need to stay vigilant on that. I don't think this hobby is ever easy, you can't really ever just relax and enjoy. That can lead to burn out, particularily with larger and or multiple tanks.

Just don't do anything rash, give the feelings time to settle, then make a plan of attack. Whatever you choose to do will be right for you.