(First Reef Tank Ever) **** 600gal Display **** 1300gal System
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
Reefaquariumnut
Premium Member
Hmmmmm...I doubt he is kidding.
twelvejewelz
New member
no updates ?are u really quitting??
I JUST STARTED READING THIS THREAD FROM THE BEGINNING. I have been rivited for the past few hours. Missed the ball dropping and everything. Then I get here...quitting?? No way. I am speechless. I can't believe it. OMG You guys who have been in this thread from the beginning can't you help Bart? I feel so let down now. This is a joke right?
Reefaquariumnut
Premium Member
Why is it so hard to believe??? Why are you so let down?? This was basically like dating a super model as your first girlfriend...Stuff happens. Give him time...Time heals all wounds.
reefkoi
Premium Member
I can understand him wanting to quit but wish he'd re-consider.
I had a 180 reef for around 12+ years before I dove into a 600 of the same size as Barts.
I had a ton of problems with stuff when I started up the 600, even with all my past experience! I was really bummed and it was either throw in the towel or figure it out.
I too added all my corals and fish way way too fast.
I had the "it's a huge tank I can add more than a smaller tank" mentality and had many problems, Ich being one of them.
I had to throw about $7,000 more into it to upgrade the already brand new equipment to better stuff.
That and a ton of patience, several months later it all came around and looks pretty dang nice now.
It was an Ich infested slime/snot algae infested brown coral, yellowy water mess!
He has skills to say the least when it comes to building, I think Barts tank and equipment is much nicer than mine, that's not the problem though its the livestock which is so delicate it seems.
Anyway, I hope you have support of reefers in your area that can talk you into sticking it out, it's not the end of the world though it can be turned around if you really want it.
Chris
I had a 180 reef for around 12+ years before I dove into a 600 of the same size as Barts.
I had a ton of problems with stuff when I started up the 600, even with all my past experience! I was really bummed and it was either throw in the towel or figure it out.
I too added all my corals and fish way way too fast.
I had the "it's a huge tank I can add more than a smaller tank" mentality and had many problems, Ich being one of them.
I had to throw about $7,000 more into it to upgrade the already brand new equipment to better stuff.
That and a ton of patience, several months later it all came around and looks pretty dang nice now.
It was an Ich infested slime/snot algae infested brown coral, yellowy water mess!
He has skills to say the least when it comes to building, I think Barts tank and equipment is much nicer than mine, that's not the problem though its the livestock which is so delicate it seems.
Anyway, I hope you have support of reefers in your area that can talk you into sticking it out, it's not the end of the world though it can be turned around if you really want it.
Chris
kcress
New member
I suspect he's a bit like me.. The real challenge is setting up. I like the design, the selection of products, the assembly, and troubleshooting. Once it's all running... It's just a nice moving picture in the living room.
I suspect that is his case and when the s l o w husbandry comes to the fore and then you get dumped on your butt... A whole lotta of the fun jets out the window and it shifts to 'work'. Work that you pay a lot to do..
That's my theory anyway.
I wish him the best and hope that he can take the fun of the mechanical creation with him and not remember this as some abject failure, as the set up, most certainly wasn't.
I suspect that is his case and when the s l o w husbandry comes to the fore and then you get dumped on your butt... A whole lotta of the fun jets out the window and it shifts to 'work'. Work that you pay a lot to do..
That's my theory anyway.
I wish him the best and hope that he can take the fun of the mechanical creation with him and not remember this as some abject failure, as the set up, most certainly wasn't.
Otty
Bikers are a dying breed
That's what happens when people try to rush this hobby. They seem to think it just a piece of furniture and start throwing money at it. Its an eco-system for God's sake.
The only thing that happens fast in this hobby is trouble! Then they sell it all!
Hope this is a wake up call for all you impatience people out there. It can and will happen again if you don't slow down.
Last edited:
Von_Rahvin
New member
a shame the hardware work was impressive.
some people are more into the problem solving of the hardware than the animal husbandry part of the deal.
some people are more into the problem solving of the hardware than the animal husbandry part of the deal.
ReefDoctorMicromussas
In Memoriam
When Bart first contacted me about his build being parralell to mine AND the fact that it was his first I was amazed... No actually jealous with no experience at all he was moving soo much faster than I was, he had such great engineering skills... here was a guy with NO experience moving along much more efficiently than I was with over 25yrs of tanks 
to see this is sadly vindicating and shines a light of emphasis on patience... These tanks are not just decoration but entire ecosystems, it is not about just taking money and building an awesome system.
I will miss Bart I think he was a great guy.. BUT I also feel a loss for an entire world of life that was lost I would bet cash that if he had started with a 55gallon softie tank he would still be with us
to see this is sadly vindicating and shines a light of emphasis on patience... These tanks are not just decoration but entire ecosystems, it is not about just taking money and building an awesome system.I will miss Bart I think he was a great guy.. BUT I also feel a loss for an entire world of life that was lost
I would bet cash that if he had started with a 55gallon softie tank he would still be with us
jnarowe
New member
I agree and disagree...I started with a 1000g display system and out of ALL the reef keepers I know, I have had the least amount of loss. I attribute that to water volume BTW.
But I do agree, that throwing money at a project in no way will overcome lack of knowledge. I have seen it happen so many times in the boating business.
But I do agree, that throwing money at a project in no way will overcome lack of knowledge. I have seen it happen so many times in the boating business.
rEd86
Premium Member
Yes, but as many of us know, you can't rush things in this hobby or else you are likely to have a big loss. I don't think the size of the tank can make up for patience. (although it does give you a little more cushion for those mistakes)
I would agree that a smaller tank would mean the cost of the loss and replacing everything would not have been as traumatic, so one is likely to stick with it. (and learn something valuable along the way)
You could also argue that what got Bart excited about this hobby was the big build and a smaller tank would not have cut it for him.
Lot's to learn and consider from his loss. Hopefully others reading this thread will realize it can happen to any of us if we're not careful.
--Ed
I would agree that a smaller tank would mean the cost of the loss and replacing everything would not have been as traumatic, so one is likely to stick with it. (and learn something valuable along the way)
You could also argue that what got Bart excited about this hobby was the big build and a smaller tank would not have cut it for him.
Lot's to learn and consider from his loss. Hopefully others reading this thread will realize it can happen to any of us if we're not careful.
--Ed
ReefDoctorMicromussas
In Memoriam
BTW as always I love your tank jnarowe
jnarowe
New member
:lol: Thanks! No one has seen it in a long time...you wouldn't believe the coraline problem I am having. It's so think I can't scrape it off.
BTW, I spent some time on your site recently and you have some really sweet stuff. Unfortunately i am fairly convinced that I can't keep micros.
BTW, I spent some time on your site recently and you have some really sweet stuff. Unfortunately i am fairly convinced that I can't keep micros.
Similar threads
