I have no business having more than 1 (maybe 2) tanks.

[Sandee]

Looking for a little sympathy, or maybe a reality check. I'm doing really stupid things like not washing my hands between 'touching' tanks. ... that's not the only thing - but not ready to admit all my bad habits.

In addition to losing that whole tank to Ick or Velvet a few weeks ago, and now my 120g getting sick - today I found one of my very favorite fish ... on the floor. My fault again - I knew Wolf Eels were jumpers - I had 'most' of the tank covered. I even had Velcro canopy locks on the top (I had an Oscar that jumped out of a closed lid once, since then, I 'lock' the covers down with Velcro). Well, today Mr. Eel found a 2" opening in the back, where the UV hose goes in - I knew it was there, just never thought to cover it. I'm sure that was his exit.

Very sad. I think it's time to admin, 20 tanks may be a bit much. I need to slow down, do a better job on taking care of cleaning and maintaining safe tanks all around. Sorta sucks. Sorry. Nah, I'm not going to start selling anything off - but will certainly take any advice, comments and replies (other than - "I'll take all your coral and live rock!"). Double RIP Mr. Wolf Eel ...

 

[Phyl]

Sorry to hear about the jumper. Good luck buckling down and getting more control over the processes.

 

[REEFLECTIONS]

do you really have 20 tanks?

 

[Sandee]

Between 18 and 20 at any given time ... yeah. My list and pix aren't up to date, but take a look ...

http://www.sandeeland.com/animals

 

[Hawkeye]

hang in there - we all go thru issues/murphy's law once in a while. If everything were easy - they'd just print the instructions on the salt bag and no one would ever go to an internet forum to ask questions / post experiences.

Honestly I think it's great that seasoned folks (i consider anyone who manages 20 tanks to be experienced) fess up to their mistakes. It helps to show the new folks that not everything is going to be perfect. How we handle the mistakes is what will define you as a good hobbyist or not.

For me - I'm tired of all the folks who jump in and a year later quit. No one ever listens to "go slow...only bad things happen fast".

Anyways - ranting done. Keep the chin up!

 

[jimroth]

I am amazed at someone who can keep even five tanks--When I had two reefs I had trouble keeping up with what needed to be done to what. Plus I spread the dreaded flatworms from one reef to the other by using the same net, or something. I want to set up a second tank as a species tank, but I still remember the extra work!

So hang in there.

 

[mnat]

Hang in there!! As someone who went from zero tanks to 4 in six months I understand. This whole hobby is trial and error, and we must all remember we are dealing with wild animals that are all very opurtunistic and don't think like we do. I think the title of an article that I read recently said it best, "No risk No reward".

 

[JRWOHLER]

I don't know how you keep all the animals/fish fed, cleaned and any time for yourself.
I catch heck for having two tanks, with some house plants and a yard and not having time.
Would suggest some sort of risk reward analysis for all your tanks. If you can think of any you have not sat in front of during the last month close them down.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Sandee, don't feel too bad. I mean, I have only the one tank, and I never make any mistakes, you know. (NOT)

So sorry to hear that so much bad stuff has happened to you over a relatively short amount of time. But look at the bright side: It can only get better.

Do you really want to downsize? I mean seriously? Haven't you been maintaining all these tanks for quite some time? You can do it! You know you can.

Here's to hoping that the waters will calm, and that you'll have smooth sailing from now on.

 

[Sandee]

No, I don't want to give anything up. Each tank is so special ... for example, my Plate Coral is eating for the first time (that I'm actually 'seeing'). SO COOL. I just had 14 more baby Cichlids over the weekend ... life goes on. But thanks ...

Below, live shot of the Plate - with a piece of Krill in his mouth. You can see he's sorta puffed up, and the flow makes his membrane (?) flutter ... www.sandeeland.com/fishcam.

 

[NJ_ychung1]

we've all been there and had discussions with self about down sizing. foget the downsizing but just do a bit more automation. good luck!

 

[shipwrecked]

Wow-- thatsa lotta tanks!! Your my new idol..lol And sorry to hear about yr loss.Dont be so hard on yourself.It seems as thgh you give alot of time into the caring of yr animals,we all make mistakes or have misfortunes in the hobby.We (not too long ago) had a loss of some of our favorite fishy friends,due to a faulty powerhead,electrocuted the fish.At the time we thght about throwing in the beach towel,but people that are in this hobby are in it for many reasons,mostly because we are caring and giving people...(ok I fell off my soap box) by the way,we love the fish cam thing...cheer up and gd luck

 

[blange3]

The first step in solving a problem is admitting you have one! You are on the road to recovery.

My record was 27 when I was much younger and only one was a fish only marine aquarium. Couldn't call it a FOWLR becuase it was in pre-live rock era. One tank was actually a bath tub filled with anacharis and feeder guppies.

I admit to not washing hands between tanks. I wash before and after an aquarium maintenance session, but not during. Unless you count rinsing kalk or salt off your hands in the sump.

The 180 upgrade is cutting things down from 5 to 2 eventually, stuck at 3 with an active QT at the moment. When you take a tank down and it gives you more joy than putting one up, that's when you downsize.

Hang in there Sandee, you still can handle 20.

Now step 1 - check the tops.

 

[reeferwanabe]

I have 5 tanks smallest is 40 gal. 55. 75.90.150. its definatly a chore at times. but most of the time I enjoy everything involved with this hobby. when something goes wrong it keeps me up at night.so I understand. hang in there

 

[Baxreefs]

Once you set up a special environment, FW or SW, FOWLR or Reef, it's so hard to pull it down. Even when I have upgraded to larger tanks I miss the old one in so many aspects. A sign of the addiction that is this hobby? ... Yup!

Your tank room is amazing. The only thing you should even consider is a lower number of much larger tanks for more overall gallonage! ;D

 

[Sandee]

... two sick tanks now. So not good.

Happy Friday! Looking forward to the weekend to do some major water changes!

 

[magic]

Good Luck!