Done with Aquariums

[Jag1980]

Well I'm now done with the whole aquarium hobby.
From many buckets of water being slowly poured into the tank, to cloudy water, algae, dosing, and trying every fertilizer combination and never finding a good balance that stops algae,and many other things that go along with it. I'm done. :thumbsdown:
I have completely lost interest.
I will be selling everything I own that has to do with aquariums.

I'm moving over to the lizard hobby, probably be getting 5 or 6 Anoles in a nice metal 18"x18"x36" reptarium planted setup.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has helped me out in the beginning and the end. This is by far the best aquarium forum on the Internet and it's because of the people here who make it that way.

Thank you for all your help :cheers:

[mcdanielnc89]

Aww, just because of Algae? get something that eats it :)

[mellowvision]

I was starting to burn out. But then I started trying lower light set ups, and have been much happier.

That said, terrestrial plants seem to grow better and reptile environments can be awesome. hope you keep posting in the paludarium section.

[The Zigman]

could always use fake plants, and low light...
Sorry to hear of your frustration with the hobby.

[DGalt]

I hear ya Jag. I've been struggling with cloudy water (the type where I can't see into the tank past about 1/2 an inch) since trying to switch to the oh-so-talked-about ADA aquasoil. Bought ready to explode myself.

Sorry to see you go. Have fun with the reptiles :hi:

[Reefscape]

Hope you find another hobby more suiting... :)

[msjinkzd]

Good luck man! Please do keep us updated in teh viv section!

[coach_z]

sorry to hear! hope you find better luck in other hobbies!!!

-chris

[SMinNC]

ahhh bummer!

Have fun with them other critters. Dogs n fish is about all I do.

I know I've seen alot of post by you. But can't recall anything that would have been specific to your tanks. I could go serch through your threads but that would take a few days to read at "Posts: 1,253" : P

I haven't had cloudy water problems, yet. Just getting started though. And only one tank(30g) has fancy substrate. Seachem Flourite

I have a few different types of algae growing in my 55g. And well the 30 too. But I don't do much with it, so I don't count it in on much.

But what I have noticed is that all the tanks have phosphate and not much of anything else. Like nitrate, iron, etc. for plants.

I have alot of different ferts and a bottle of snake oil comming in tomarrow. Can't find anything around this town that I want. : /

Anyway....
I'm suspecting(hoping) the algae is feeding off of phosphate. Sense it the only thing I've found available with what (resonable) test kits I can find.

If you haven't seen this thread, and you haven't already tore everything down.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196251

It could be worth a last ditch effort?

Hopefully I can add to the "yup, it lowered phosphates", a couple of days from now.
Just won't be able to confirm anything else for a month.


I probably would have gone reptiles by now myself. But I just can't imagine me with a snake wrapped around my neck.

[dixienut]

in anything you do what ever the hobby,.. simple is better, its not hard if you keep it close to nature,.. as mother nature dosent use co2,.. unles its volcanic,.. i have never used all that hewy and am doing just fine,.. you can't go high tech untill you know and master the basics,..
even in other hobbies,..
i have found out Gods way is the best, not manmade difficulties,..

good luck with your new venture,..

[tigerbarb88]

i have gotten frustrated many times. but iv gotten the hang of the basics of keeping a low tech planted set up and now i couldnt be happier. :)

hope your next hobby is more successful.

[plantbrain]

So how do other hobbyists help folks from doing this?

What ways might ensure the best chance of success given all the various habits people have?

It was too much work, frustration etc, the person thanked folks for their help, but gave up, too much work etc.

I think for many, the non CO2 method might be a better starting point, then move on to CO2, keeping the low light.

Many want high light or think CO2 = must have high light.
High light disease or HDL.

Be careful in suggesting things for folks that are new. Telling them to get CO2, high light etc and dose etc, it's a lot to bite off. Less light = slower rates of growth, so CO2 demand is less as is algae growth and nutrient demand.

This is much more manageable. So the non CO2 for those that really neglectful etc, or have more than one tank etc, and the lower light CO2 tank for the others to start. Even floating water sprite in a plain old Fish tank does a lot of good and is easy.

No special care etc.

Frustrations can be daunting and many realize it's more work than they thought. So some will leave, but once that non CO2 fully plant tank is up and running, it requires very very little care.

Less than the fish only tank.
something to ponder.........

Regards,
tom Barr

[angyles]

I agree with Tom's comments. There's a lot of emphasis on needing high light and CO2 and whatnot. I've read many threads where people say "do it right from the begining" and indicate starting with high T5, pressurized CO2, etc.

I think starting more simple and gradually working your way up to a point your happy with, is a good way to go. We all have moments of frustration when there's a problem, but it's a lot less often if there's fewer variables we're dealing with. There have been several threads where newbies are starting off with 3-4 WPG...I hate to say it but we can only HOPE that they're still here in a year and haven't burnt out.

[bushwhacker]

while its always difficult to see someone give up on the hobby, sometimes it can be very frustrating.. there were many times when i was fighting BGA in my 55 i just wanted to tear that sucker down and toss it in the yard.. thank god i had the 75 to look at... so i had hope!!

[wesleydnunder]

Hope your lizards don't get algae on 'em. Good luck.

Mark

[Star_Rider]

Jag, good luck in your future endeavors

as mentioned..like tom and others have suggested.
If you still have the urge. try lower light.
my experience like others.. was get lots of light add CO2 then balance fertilizers.

out of frustration I decided to try lower light. IE: 65 watt over a 29.

no ferts, no CO2.. and wow.. good growth.

albeit slower but I don't have to trim the tank weekly.

I started with sparse planting, some driftwood, easy plants.
crypts, moneywort, rotala etc.

BINGO I have plants..and easy to care for..I keep BN's( I like them) but have to feed them cause there isn't much algae.

[plantbrain]

Well, my point is it is as much a human social issue as it is anything to do with planted tanks.

Folks think more light, or high tech is better, it's not.

Or that CO2 is "better", it can be or not.

It depends on expectations, assumptions and most importantly, goals.
The methods do not fail, people do.

Non CO2 works well
Low light CO2 works well
High light CO2 works well.

Here's 3 examples:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u312/plantbrain/cubenonco21.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u312/plantbrain/resized70galADAwith1.5wgal.jpg
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u312/plantbrain/resizedcubapantanal1.jpg

All examples of successful tanks.
Which is is best and easier?

Depends on who you ask.
Some view best as low work and longer term care. They would chose the non CO2 method.
Some would say the lower light CO2, they can grow whatever they chose and not spend much time trimming.
Others think more is better and might chose high light + CO2.

The last one is fine..........if you are experienced and good with dosing and CO2, heck there are folks with 5 years in that are still lousy with CO2 or dosing.

But telling a newbie to chose high light + CO2 because they like HC is irresponsible, not too mention wrong, because you can grow it with 2w/gal just fine.

Wanna argue about that? Then explain this tank which has 2w/gal and the lights are 12-14" high over a 24' deep tank:
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u312/plantbrain/resizedfull180week4.jpg

It's not skill etc, it's wise choices and not falling into the assumption more is better.

This hobby will not grow and improve until we can help folks make fewer mistakes and bring new folks into it over the long term. So their success is important.

You have to be honest with them, tell them they do not require 4w/gal to grow HC. They need honesty and good advice, not the same old tired dogma and myths that float around and never improve success rates.

They do not need a pal that pads their feelings and tells them what they wanna hear, they need someone who'll tell them common sense advice.
Then you get respect and a real friendship:thumbsup:

We know there are several methods and each has trade offs.
What those are can be applied to helping folks succeed and increase the chances of success.

I've yet to find a single plant that **requires** more than 2 W/gal of lighting. That's 300+ species.

I've challenged folks to bring forth an example. Not one person has won this challenge to date. Common sense dictates: more light= more CO2 = more nutrients= faster rates of growth= more pruning, harder to maintain.

Algae seems more an issue of light(too much generally) and poor CO2 stability.

So less light, good focus on CO2 stability are the keys.
Nutrients are rather easy and straight forward. Then go from there with helping them. Might take a few back and forths with them to solve the issue. They might not take your advice either.

Regards,
Tom Barr

[BoCoMo]

I was starting to burn out. But then I started trying lower light set ups, and have been much happier.

That said, terrestrial plants seem to grow better and reptile environments can be awesome. hope you keep posting in the paludarium section.

+1!


I will be looking forward to seeing your new setup!!! :D

[angyles]

I know I've had thoughts about breaking it all down for a while as I battled sickness. I feel so happy that I didn't because now everything is working out again and I feel total gratification.

I sure hope you're able to find that place with your lizards.

On a side note, those can be frustrating too! I had a leopard gecko that would starve herself...she was afraid of crickets but wouldn't eat anything else! i would have to hold the crickets in my hand and wiggle them in front of her face as she would run from them, for about 30 minutes at a time, until she would finally eat it. DROVE ME NUTS! LOL

[dixienut]

the highest light tank i got is 2wpg and it's all i can handle
needs another trim,...lol

96029

[Bubbles2112]

Sorry to see you go Jag. :( I hope that you find much success and comfort in your new endeavor! You are so right.......just get something that makes you smile. Aquariums don't do it for you anymore--I hope the reptiles do :dance2:

Bye bye.

[excuzzzeme]

Good luck in your ventures Jag.

I do many things contrary to what is supposed to work and yet it does. I won't pretend to know why, I just know it works for me. I have a hodge-podge of acquired plants that I like. Some I forget the name of. Others I yanked out and tossed as I didn't like them. Doesn't matter to me that they were supposed to do something great and were all the rage.

Resisting the urge to follow the pack has been a saving grace for me. "Keep It Simple, Stupid" (K.I.S.S.) is the only way I can do things. No, my tanks will never be prize winners for appearances but they do make me happy and I feel that is all that is important.

Ultimately, finding ones limitations and staying within those boundaries is important for the hobbiest. When we get beyond our comfort zone it becomes work and frustrating. It's a hobby so keep it fun! You'll be glad you did.

[snoopy65]

When a hobby doesn't make you happy anymore, it is time to find one that does. I hope you keep us posted on your new hobby adventure.

[Squawkbert]

Jag - I'd suggest taking stuff down, converting to pals or herp tanks for a while, but don't be in too much of a rush to sell it as you may find you miss it. You may be going along w/ just herps, then you get a newt - or a crab... next thing, you'll be buying skippers, anableps, axlotls etc. etc.

As to Tom's suggestions, I find a lot to agree with. perhaps the biggest issue is that n00bs want lots of plants RIGHT NOW, so the obvious solution is to add some more light, CO2 etc. - but with explosive growth comes algae etc. I'm leaning toward advising people to be ready to pull back on the stick with respect to CO2 and lighting once they reach acceptable plant density. The results are (as Tom points out), less frequent trimming, less $ for ferts/CO2/Lighting costs, more time to just sit and watch your tank.

Anyway, best of luck with whatever you choose, Jag.

[DoN_WoN]

what are you selling? i might buy

[happybob59]

sorry to see you leave!

Just last year I was in the same boat, I had terrible green water and many different types of hair algae. But I started reading around, did more tank cleanings than I used to and added fast growing plants....by no means am I saying that I have a handle on how to do a proper planted tank, but I must say changing my regime helped ALOT, as did people on this forum and many others.

[Jag1980]

Well.. It not just the green water and the algae.
It's the space the tank takes up in my house
Not being able to move it
Doing water changes with buckets
worrying about something hitting it and spilling 30 gallon of water on my floor
Looking at the same thing in the same place every day. Just pretty much everything about it
I don't hate the fish hobby and keeping my fish, it's just that I had my share and it's time to move on. I would like something else and I don't want a fish tank and a lizard cage at the same time.
I been keeping fish for about 8 year and now it's time to move on. Since the beginning I have been keeping great success in the life of my fish, my first fish was a Jaguar cichlid at 15" and I just gave her a new home a few months ago, she is still alive and well.
I still have my small fish in my 29 gallon tank that I bought about 6 years ago, my fish live long and happy lives.

I'm just done with it all and it's time to move on.

[jpappy789]

I couldn't agree more with what Tom said. Maybe I'm just assuming things but you might have got in over your head, which lead to your frustration. I personally would slow down and start with a lower tech setup...but ultimately it's your decision. Do whatever makes you happy and good luck :)

[Jag1980]

I have a low tech 10 gallon tank and I'm tired of that too. It's not just the work, it's what is it.

I use to have hamsters and gerbils and rats and snakes and scorpions. I have moved on, I do not keep hamsters anyone because I'm just not into housing them anymore. I still love the fuzzy little things, but I don't want to own one anymore.


For Plantbrain
I thanked everyone because every time I had a question or a problem, I would always get fast responses from people on these forums with many different suggestion to choose from. I tried all the EI, using the calculators and dosing in the proper range for my tank, I tried dosing less I tried dosing more. I tried eliminating certain fertilizers people have suggested.
I tried less light periods, more water circulation, more and less filtration. more Co2, less feeding. Yes I know, you don't see changes over night, I gave time between each change. No way to find a balance unless you have a degree in water chemistry.. Sure, some people get lucky and happen to get a balance, probably the same way I been driving for 10 years and haven't gotten 1 ticket and other have who drive the same way as me. If everyone did the same thing as what one successful person has done, we would all be able to keep a algae free tank.
I even had algae issues in my 10 gallon tank with a 15 watt bulb. The plant growth in 3 months in the 10 gallon tank is the same growth rate I get in 1 week with my high tech tank.
Slow growth doesn't interest me, probably the same way that Discus do not interest you.
Besides, I'm not quiting because of the algae, I'm just tired of keeping fish. My fish aren't dying so how long am I suppose to keep fish? Forever?


---------------------------------------------

I share the knowledge I have learned with others and always suggest low light and Co2 unless they are wanting to go high light. The best learning experience I have discovered is the reading of the book by Diana Walstad (http://www.aquariacentral.com/Diana_Walstad), author of the book 'ECOLOGY of the PLANTED AQUARIUM
If you want to answer all your own questions about planted tanks, I suggest reading this book. The book is expensive, but you get what you pay for.

[67chevelle]

I'm just done with it all and it's time to move on.

It's good that you are getting out when you know it's time,and that it sounds like you are re-homing your fish to good homes,and not just letting them die by neglecting their feeding and water changes.
Good luck with your lizards.Post pics! :)

[Jag1980]

I will post pictures once I get the setup going.

Look how cute they are :popcorn:
http://img.quamut.com/chart/8641/08_greenanoles_wild.jpg

[67chevelle]

Very cute!
Hmmm, maybe I need a new hobby.

[Flavius]

The only way I was able to get rid of the cloudy water was to start over, with a new tank. But looking back, I think it was overfeeding. I only had one fish and I was giving him too much food. As for the algae, there are things that actually work:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197669

[Riiz]

Jag, I know how you feel. I got burnt out too, I think I didnt posted anything for 3 months either, but I went low/med light and CO2 because of the constant trimming that 2 highlight/co2 75gals and their maintenance that wears you out.

But I can say now, that I'm glad I didnt break down any setups, cause now its enjoyable to come back to it, since the lower light setups dont feel like daily and weekly chores, plus I have more time for my kids and/or going to the range to shoot with my friends again.

Jag, I hope you enjoy whatever peaks your interest at the moment, but when that bugs bites again, we'll be here.

[plantbrain]

Sure, some people get lucky and happen to get a balance, probably the same way I been driving for 10 years and haven't gotten 1 ticket and other have who drive the same way as me.

Hehe, I'm even luckier, been 20 years for me and I know I deserve one(likely several).

But I'm mentioning others that have had more issues than perhaps you in the larger general context, we have our reasons for getting out this hobby, age, kids, married, no $ etc. I'm just looking at ways to help improve it so that there is less frustration for folks and there are more successes.

Non CO2 planted tanks do not interest many folks, I did not get into planted tanks heavily until I used CO2.........I always had them, but never like the gardens I have now. I view them differently today.

I know and understand why you are leaving, but it brought up an interesting idea about how to help and retain more folks that have quit for various reasons. It's not directed at you personally.

I have to move this month. I have 5 tanks and about 480 Gal worth of tanks. I'm not looking forward to that, the rest of the house will be easy:)
Electric bill, time etc.

It's a lot.
Same for many hobbies.
Some are lower key than others.
I use to keep poison arrow frogs, but got tired of raising the food.
Whatever the hobby is, it has to be something you like even with all the work involved.

The other point is how to keep CO2 and also make it less work.
Less light, less growth, good selection of plant species etc.

Non CO2 can be done nicely also.
That's a challenge.



Regards,
Tom Barr

[fwiffo]

plantbrain, those tanks are breathtaking. good job man!!! if i lived near you, i would volunteer to give you a hand to learn a thing or two and see those tanks! too bad im in new york...

jag, good luck with anoles. i kept them as a kid. they are alot of fun to watch, especially when they change c olor from green to brown. it was always neat to see them change colors when they would walk from the grass earth onto the wood. they changed colors to match their surroundings as they walked.

[247Plants]

Good luck Jag. Maybe the planted tank thing isnt for you, but at least you gave it a shot. Probably went further than a lot of others. Finding the balance is the hard part, but once you find it, it can be very rewarding.

My advice: Get rid of everything except all your hardware and tanks. You never know when you may want to pull that old tank out and give it another shot down the road. Plants and fish are cheap. Equipment isnt.

Tom, is it you Im quoting when I say that "Light should be the limiting factor in any planted tank."? Im pretty sure I picked it up at the Barr Report.

[Slappy*McFish]

Have any experience with saltwater, Jag?

[plantbrain]

Tom, is it you Im quoting when I say that "Light should be the limiting factor in any planted tank."? Im pretty sure I picked it up at the Barr Report.

Yes, likely so........ since no one else would ever say such blasphemy:lipssealedsmilie:
Stop HLD!

Many folks float in and out of the hobby, time and other interest take their place. the hobby has an open door policy, so whenever they decide to, they can come back and get back into it.

I've had different fish and plant interest over several decades, I'm not going to just keep one type of critter, plant, scape over that time. Some might extend this to dogs, cats, Herps, Amphibs etc.

Only got so much time to care for them.
Jag is wise, better than neglecting them while focusing on something new.
Not everyone does things that way.




Regards,
Tom Barr

[pupfishfan2007]

Good luck with your reptiles , dogs and fish for me maybe frogs one day ..you will miss it when you go to an aqarium shop and see a set up that gives you the wow factor!

[dundadundun]

jag, sorry to see you go so soon. (i've only been posting so long)
kudos to you (corny i know) for accepting it's your time and deciding to do it right instead of neglecting your pets. it's the right thing to do.

hopefully you'll stay a member of the site and make use of the viv section. if so... see you on the dark side. anoles are no bcc, but all little raptors have a good appeal to me. they can be very cute in the right surroundings. my suggestion would be to do as you did with your fish and create naturalistic right from the gate. i think you'll find it a lot more rewarding than having "a tank" with "some lizards".

good luck, and enjoy. emphasis on enjoy as that's really the important part... for you and your animals.

[jenazen69]

I hope you enjoy the reptiles. I still love seeing new growth in my planted tanks, it's like finding a new batch of baby fish to me. I have been keeping fish for 8 years. I started out with fake plants and decorations. I had a few plants that would live for a while, and then die off when I moved, or when I had a snail infestation. I have moved 6 times since starting this hobby. I have figured out how to make water changes easier without investing a lot of money into it. I bought a bunch of plants about 4 months ago. They are doing great. I still have some algae problems, but most of my fish tend to pick at the algae so I don't mind it too much. I have recently discovered that my husbands 75 gallon tank with less light over it grows plants quicker than my 29 gallon, or 10 gallon. I don't know if this is because he has more fish, and a heavier bio-load to feed the plants with, or if there is another factor involved.
I'm glad to hear you are being responsible with your fishy buddies and getting them new homes. I hope you enjoy the new hobby. I wish my mother had gotten rid of her ferret before getting her dogs. He rarely gets to come out of his cage, and is not getting the attention he deserves.