Having A Hard Time

Hello Fishlore Family.

I'm going to start off with, I don't normally do this. I really need to let off some steam though. Who better than the forum, right?

My tanks and equipment are really getting to me. Having lots of problems, and feel like I'm just spinning in place. Is it okay if I share?

40 Gallon:
Still having algae problems.

Think I invested in the wrong light. Should not have gotten a 10,000 K.

20 Gallon Long:
Even worse algae problems.

Yet another 10,000 K light.

Betta has fin rot, and quarantine/hospital tank is taken up right now.

10 Gallon:
Really wanting to upgrade, but can't ever get ahead.

Crayfish has a huge hole in his shell that is ever so slowly regrowing.

Something is sticking out of said hole.

5.5 Gallon:
Can't get to cycle at all. Probably been set up for at least 2 months and 0 all across the board. Not even ammonia.

Thinking about changing to first sponge filter ever used, but have bigger problems first.

The anacharis I was so looking forward to that I got off Aquabid was all trash.

Still not liking the guppy grass in there. Don't think even the betta likes it.

Quarantine:
Have had a bolivian ram in it for two weeks. Has not eaten a thing. Gave second dose of General Cure tonight. Worried about him.

New Sink:
Can't attach water changer to it. Ordered a universal adapter tonight that another member helped me find. It won't be here for almost a week.

I'm really starting to feel like a failure in this hobby, and it's really gotten to me really bad tonight. I've always pushed myself very hard in anything I do. Anything less than perfection gets to me. I've been this way all my life, and I've had some serious problems with it. It's a daily struggle to try to not let failure get to me.

I actually uttered the words tonight that I should sell all my fish and equipment and give up. My girlfriend did not support this decision.

So...... I don't really know why I felt I should share this, but I did. Does anyone else get this way?

I just really want to be good at something, and I love this hobby. I just want nice pretty tanks with healthy fish, and even get more tanks. I'm really struggling right now though.

Thank you to anyone who bothered to read and/or understand this. I will try to never make a post like this again.

 

Hey man, don’t give up. Here’s why:

1. Petco’s dollar per gallon sale is going on now
2. Algae will get fixed
3. I just had an adapter problem for my RO/DI because I moved. My $40 dollar Black Ram is in a PH of 8.0 and a GH of 180, but will get resolved just like your problem.
4. I’ve had an entire Ram tank get wiped out by Camallanus worms, but I kept going.
5. You’re too knowledgeable to give up

 

Oh man, if you’re thinking of selling everything let me know. I might need some stuff.

Ok, seriously, the fact that you’re even thinking this way, you’re clearly disillusioned, and that’s okay. This hobby should normally be relaxing and something you look forward to doing. It should even be fun at times.

My advice is to wait after those problems are well taken care of. If you still feel the way you do, then start downgrading to a level you think you can personally manage without feeling like it is work. Don’t just hit the restart button, as you might come to regret it later. I know I did at one point. Do things slow. I hope you decide to stick with it, personally.

 

Funny thing is that when you let loose things often will solve themselves (flow).

For the 10.000K, in my opinion this K-rate is okay for coral growth (marine) and use in african lake tanks (few plants and algae wanted). Besides the algaegrowth I think plants won't thrive and the more primitive algae will grow. My plants started to grow (after years of cyanodisaster) after using ultracheap 4000K tubes !!!!

Change the tubes (start in one tank), let's see what happens, manage your expectations a bit and let loose a bit.

You and your tanks will be okay !

 

Funny thing is that when you let loose things often will solve themselves (flow).

For the 10.000K, in my opinion this K-rate is okay for coral growth (marine) and use in african lake tanks (few plants and algae wanted). Besides the algaegrowth I think plants won't thrive and the more primitive algae will grow. My plants started to grow (after years of cyanodisaster) after using ultracheap 4000K tubes !!!!

Change the tubes (start in one tank), let's see what happens, manage your expectations a bit and let loose a bit.

You and your tanks will be okay !

Okay. You seem like someone I can ask this. Let's talk about my 40 gallon. The light is a Beamswork DA FSPEC with 10,000k. It also has white, blue, red, and green bulbs, which are supposed to be good for plants right? Well, the other Beamswork I've been looking at (forget which model because there's like 152) has I believe......6500k. However, it only has white and blue. So which one is considered "better"?

EDIT: Think something just clicked in my head. Plants do better in 6500 than 10000 because it's a warmer color. Therefore, it has a mixture of red and blue wavelengths in it to maximize stem and leaf growth. Since the plants are growing, to they're outcompeting algae for nutrients. So I guess the unofficial answer would be the 6500k with only white and blue bulbs right? Because it doesn't MATTER what color the bulbs are, but what color the light itself is.

 

My knowledge is (ongoing discussion BTW) is that 6500 is better for plantgrowth cause of the red / blue in its spectrum.

BTW these colors humans don't see as red / blue. That's the point with the others as well. So red, green and blue as we see them don't really say a thing.

4000 (the ones that I use) are even more "yellow" for put eyes but that is caused by the more red light in the spectrum.

4000K

But as said this is my knowledge and experience. Others might disagree.

 

My knowledge is (ongoing discussion BTW) is that 6500 is better for plantgrowth cause of the red / blue in its spectrum.

BTW these colors humans don't see as red / blue. That's the point with the others as well. So red, green and blue as we see them don't really say a thing.

4000 (the ones that I use) are even more "yellow" for put eyes but that is caused by the more red light in the spectrum.

4000K

But as said this is my knowledge and experience. Others might disagree.

Okay, I think we're on the same track now. I went back and added an edit to my last post. Think we were typing at the same time.

 

Exact. White isn't white only (it is a mixture of color / wavelengths)

Okay, I think we're on the same track now. I went back and added an edit to my last post. Think we were typing at the same time.

 

Exact. White isn't white only (it is a mixture of color / wavelengths)

Thank you! These stupid lights are one of the biggest things that's been bugging me because I couldn't wrap my head around it. It's finally starting to make sense. Don't know how you did that but thank you. I think I know what I might be using some Amazon credit on. Lol. Now I just have to decide if I want a new light for the 20 or 40 first.

EDIT: Guess you're right. Letting lose can help things flow.

 

When plants start growing they'll need ferts as well !!!! A lack of those will cause another algaegrowth !

Thank you! These stupid lights are one of the biggest things that's been bugging me because I couldn't wrap my head around it. It's finally starting to make sense. Don't know how you did that but thank you. I think I know what I might be using some Amazon credit on. Lol. Now I just have to decide if I want a new light for the 20 or 40 first.

EDIT: Guess you're right. Letting lose can help things flow.

 

When plants start growing they'll need ferts as well !!!! A lack of those will cause another algaegrowth !

I've got some Osmocote Plus tabs, Excel, and Comprehensive waiting. Lol.

 

Ok, but don't forget ( to check ) nitrates and phosfates ! Those macros are needed as well !

I've got some Osmocote Plus tabs, Excel, and Comprehensive waiting. Lol.