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Ever feel like giving up before it's even up and running?

J

junk

So anyone else ever feel like giving up during the actual setup? Before it's fully up and running? That's kind of the way I feel now. :-\

Have had our 14g up and running reasonably well for awhile and decided that we'd get a 120 because the fish my son want need a bigger tank. Ok, so start shopping. First, I have someone that agrees to sell me a setup here then sells it to someone else, then I but a setup only to later discover the tank is cracked. Then find out the skimmer won't cut it blah blah blah. You see the trend. Fast forward to current position. Bought new tank, new stand, new canopy, new skimmer, new powerhead, new sump .... now I realize my sump isn't big enough for a fuge, so now I need to learn how to make a tank so I can fit something narrow in front of the sump that's inside the stand.

Water is a b**** to carry in 5g buckets. I got my RO/DI system but now need to hook that up then figure out how to get away with doing water changes and topoffs. I haven't even gotten the darn lights figured out yet....

With 2 parents on the death bed, an alcoholic wife and a son with special needs, I was kind of hoping this tank would help me relax. Heck, I'm more stressed out now than ever.

Ok. Thanks for listening to me crying like a schoolgirl lol. Just needed to vent.
 
S

samksy

junk said:
So anyone else ever feel like giving up during the actual setup? Before it's fully up and running? That's kind of the way I feel now. :-\

Have had our 14g up and running reasonably well for awhile and decided that we'd get a 120 because the fish my son want need a bigger tank. Ok, so start shopping. First, I have someone that agrees to sell me a setup here then sells it to someone else, then I but a setup only to later discover the tank is cracked. Then find out the skimmer won't cut it blah blah blah. You see the trend. Fast forward to current position. Bought new tank, new stand, new canopy, new skimmer, new powerhead, new sump .... now I realize my sump isn't big enough for a fuge, so now I need to learn how to make a tank so I can fit something narrow in front of the sump that's inside the stand.

Water is a b**** to carry in 5g buckets. I got my RO/DI system but now need to hook that up then figure out how to get away with doing water changes and topoffs. I haven't even gotten the darn lights figured out yet....

With 2 parents on the death bed, an alcoholic wife and a son with special needs, I was kind of hoping this tank would help me relax. Heck, I'm more stressed out now than ever.

Ok. Thanks for listening to me crying like a schoolgirl lol. Just needed to vent.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that....but guess what, i was kind of in the same boat several weeks ago on giving up....lolz...just too much work. But now since pretty much everything is settle i'm enjoying my tank already.

I kind of did the carry buckets of water before, but know that you can hook up a pump and pipe, i let the eletricity do the work.

Setting up is the hard part, once it's up. You'll have less maintance. Try to setup your tank and make water change easy and simple. That's what i'm trying to do in current setup. Good luck and don't throw the towel so easy.
 
I

Inquisitive

always vent...it's healthy...nods

I'm sorry that you are going through such a rough time....though, I must say, after all that you've invested, would be a shame to give up now....

I hook my Rodi to a faucet rather then doing the pipe puncturing thing....was easier on my nerves as I am no plumber....and I hear ya...I carry five gallon buckets.....now, not to be sexist, and not that I'm not a proper feminist....but, male muscles would certainly come in handy for this...grins..if you haven't guessed yet, I'm female....so the way I get around this is by making saltwater in a five gallon bucket in the extra tub.....granted, I only have a 55 gallon, not a 120, so you will likely need to find another way.....but, I just siphon out of the display 2.5 gallons twice and then siphon 2.5 gallons out of the fresh saltwater so I'm not hauling more then two and a half gallons on any trip....As it is, that takes four trips total.....I think if I had a 120...I'd invest in a large garbage pail or some other suitable container and buy myself one of those neat lil dollies from another reefer or home depot....so you can just wheel the bucket over to the tank

but...ya know what?....solutions can come later....I have a feelin yer just looking to commiserate....so....*glances to the freakin mess in my spare bathroom....knowing for sure my partner loves me since she puts up with this stuff.....buckets in the tub....huge rubbermaid tub full of rodi water......yup...she loves me*.....but, then, ya know....I look at my tank....*sees an abundance of live rock...pretty lil coral frags...each with their own seeming personality....so...plant like...yet, so animal like....strange....but, very beautiful...and my happy fat fish swimming about....dumb, dumber, and dumbest....but, peaceful...relaxing....and gorgeous in their own way*.....chin up buddy!....take a few deep breaths...go focus on something non aquarium related...and then come back and party...cuz you know....the time, money, and effort really are worth it and nothing worthwhile comes easy
 
redfishbluefish

redfishbluefish

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Junk, I’ve gone over some of the same bumps you're hitting as you travel down the road of life. Hang in there. Realize you have a second family here. You know that you can ask any questions here to help move the nut along in getting that tank up and running. Take a break from the tank for a few days. It will be there when you’re ready to come back.
 
J

Jcurry@wesketch

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The first year is usually the worst, if you can make it past that then your usually hooked for life. If you have a basement consider setting up your RO/top off water barrel down there as well as a barrel for fresh salt water. Then drill through the wall into the basement and run some 1/2" tubing to a pump in the top off barrel. It can be controlled manually with a switch or a float switch. When I did it the tank immediately became more enjoyable and not a chore.
If you have to carry buckets heres a little tip: fill the bucket up leaving 2-3 inches to the top. Then take a large spoon and get the water spinning as fast as you can. Then pick it up and carry it to the tank. The spinning water won't slosh back and forth and spill everywhere. Trust me it works.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
You sound like you have your hands full. Keep the tank progress at a pace that helps your mindset, not stresses you out. As others have said, it will be there. No need to rush.




Cool tip from our resident Architect!
 
J

jceli728

Mike,


I'm give me a call if you need help with anything. i'm in the progress of my 120 so if i could help with anything just let me know.
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

mike - you're going to think i'm crazy - but i love to tinker/plot things out and the planning phase of my 120 was a lot of fun. Mind you it wasn't smooth for me (two bulkheads improperly set up...yikes!) and countless floods. Also it's not like people set up these gorgeous tanks overnight...(okay maybe jerseywendy) but for the rest of us - it takes patience and time. :)

At least during the planning phase - you can proudly proclaim you have no algae issues. LOL! ;D

Once you get the wind behind your sail again - let's talk because I'm sure there are ideas folks have in terms of top off and water changes. You are right - those are not pleasant tasks but there might be a way for us to help you plan to make it less arduous.
 
L

Lord Viper

My family keeps asking when are we putting something in the tank. I just tell them to be patient it will be worth it. It's tough to deal with all that but like it's been said before (up a couple on this thread I mean) dont let it been a source of fustration on thing at a time. And yes ask away and complain we will listen and give you more comments than you will probably want.
 
C

chaoscat

I just recently finished setting up a new 72 bowfront with a sump, after having had a 40 gallon free standing tank. If I had know just HOW MUCH work it was going to be to get this thing up and running - I'd probably not have done it. Now that it is, my wife and I both love it. It's beautiful. She comes home from work every day and looks in the tank just to see what's going on.

Reef tanks are like babies:

It takes months of preparation to have one, their a lot of pain to birth, you spend a tremendous amount of time dealing with their waste products, they get sick occasionally and have to be doctored, you check their temperature on a regular basis, you always fear leaving them alone with strangers...but, in the end, the joy and pleasure they bring into your life outweighs the inherent stresses they bring along with them.
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
I think chaoscat just put the whole hobby into one good analogy. Junk, keep your head up we both spend the tough times watching our fish tanks and it is very relaxing.
 
R

rafal07013

I think your post points out the need for improvements by the club in several areas:

a) people with knowledge (I would not include myself in this group) should consider coming up with list of standardized equipment that would fit and meet the basic requirements of keeping healthy reef tank for standart tank sizes. that would help a lot newbies or people who want to upgrade in picking the right equipment - having the pre-formated set up would allow to go and ask questions rather than 'hunting' for the deals. it could help to save $$$.

b) maybe a new forum as "Starting Out" where people would feel comfortable asking basic questions on how to set up their first tank

c) sellers feedback (or ratings) where we could rate people we dealt with during the trades done on NJReefers - i bought corals that were far from the description i was given by the seller - something similar to ratings like it is done on MR.
 
K

kason42

I'm sorry to hear about all your problems, that must be really tough. Just remember that life is not always a peaceful journey, there will always be the occasional bump, or mountain, but it's the people who keep going that get to see the light at the summit. I lost half of my right leg to an accident a couple months ago, and it was very tough to overcome, but now that I have, I see how much stronger I have become. The tank, at the end of the day, is just a tank. Take your time, enjoy the process, and eventually you'll figure it all out. And let me tell you, it will pay off in the end. And believe me, it will provide plenty of relaxation. In fact, at some point, you'll probably begin to find comfort in figuring out and tinkering with the tank.
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

Well you are a reefer now. :p We have all experienced some of these problems. Don't give up.
I was lugging water for months until I got my auto top off setup...I still have to lug my waste water to the bathroom. As I told you when I started I was flipping out, until couple guys here namely Mike and Jim came to my rescue, when I moved up to my 120. I think the analogy about kids was spot on because every now and then we all flip out about something.

All that said, having gotten to meet you couple times I hope you succeed. You are definitely one of the good guys, and already you are helping other people so it will come back to you I am sure.
 
mfisher2112

mfisher2112

I don't know what kind of space you have available, but as for top off and water changes, I use brute trash cans on rolling docks. Will cost you a few bucks at the out-lay, but they save a done of back breaking carrying 5 gallon buckets around. I keep one for fresh water top off with just a small agitator power head in it, and one for pre mixed salt water which I drop power heads and a heater in. You can also snap lids on them to keep foreign objects from falling in the water (like meat-balls... Don't ask! LOL!)

Anyway, it saved me a ton of trouble, but I'm running about 200 gallons total over 3 tanks, and do pretty regular water changes. I just roll the cans from the sink to the "fish room" when I need to, and roll them back when they need to be filled.

Hope that helps.

Good luck, stick to it, you'll be glad you did!
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

I did the same have two brute garbage cans one salt one fresh....but just ran the 1/4 inch line across the crawl space.
 
J

junk

Thanks all. Guess I just need to figure out a better system. Up till now all the salt water was stored in 55gal drums in the garage. I do have a laundry room (at least I think that's what it is. it has big white things that the wife puts dirty clothes in and they magically come back out clean) directly underneath. I guess I could hook up a barrel down there. Just not sure how to hook up an ATO setup or if they can even be trusted. Hell, I'd settle for understanding how the MSX200 skimmer is supposed to work cause their instructions stink.

Anyway, thanks for all the support.
 
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