If you're reading this, Thank you in advance.
I'm writing this because of an observation I made this morning; "My tank is alive!"
I was sitting in front of the tank when I noticed the colors. They have become more vivid, varying and beautiful, day by day. I see my fish are all thriving, my anemone is happier than I 've ever seen it, and I haven't lost a snail in quite a long time. I have Coralline growing and not just pink. I have a fluorescent green, med olive green, and a lemony yellow green. I have med. pink, dark red, light purple, lilac and dark purple, so dark it's almost black.
I also saw, my 12 hermit crabs, all scurrying around with their feeler's just a twitching'. At feeding time, the 160 plus various snails rise and shine. Literally, through the sand. They surface, like a fleet of submarines, coming home victorious from battle.
All I can say is Thank you to all the 3reef.com inhabitants for all the wonderful advice. As you can see, it has been gratefully, and successfully, heeded.
About two months ago. I made a few changes to my routines, practices and (bad)habits. I first off, stopped feeding them so much. I realized I was over feeding for the size of my fish and the size of my tank. I noticed my fish outgrew my tank and had to make adjustments to their feedings. Less IS more!
My lighting. Figuring out what does best, with what kind of lighting and how long to keep them on. Upgrading or not? That's going to be a never ending battle for me. I can't convince myself, or my hubby, that I need it, yet, for what I have in my tank. 'Nuff said..
This brings me to patience. I've learned quite a bit about it, recently. I stopped running to find a quick fix. I let it grow slow! I went through the cycles and the overflowing of the ro/di. I've been down the road of too hot too cold. And all that algae! I don't have to ask where did it come from. I know where, and, I've defeated it!
I might even get a lower mg for my Blood Pressure medicine. LOL
I do more frequent water changes. I monitor and balance my chemical levels. I take note of changes. I replace my filters monthly(strictly).
It's been a lot more work from my brain, but the results have been so worth it! I have to stop and think before I go and make a change. If I change or add this, what will the consequences be?
OK enough of my babbling, here's the pics! These are from a few minutes ago back to Jan 2006. Latest first.
I hope you enjoy this and thanks again for looking!
Linda aka cuttingras
