Yes. There is alot of research on the preservation of coral reefs etc. here but it really doesn't translate into the hobby. There is a high demand for big beautiful tanks but it's not so much for the hobbyist, more for decoration in huge villas or 5-star hotels. The LFSs service and maintain huge SW tanks, swapping out fish weekly that die, using fake corals for decoration/color and so on.
I have to admit that I am truly intimidating by a Kalkwasser set up. I am sort of on my own with no guideance or expertise here locally so anything too elaborate seems daunting. Co2 is out. No room. I know more (from Reefs.org) than our LFSs, how sad it that?
In the past, I have planned and designed elaborate systems but was usually unable to get the support that I needed, even with things like plumbing, etc. so I never really accomplished what I wanted to with a tank.
First tank was a simple 55g that I designed and it worked out great. Even with the only hair algae covered LR that I could find. I had mushrooms, a purple tang, polyps, bi-color blenny, snails, hermits, psyuedchromis(?), a clown, misc, stuff like that. Second tank, I pulled all the stops, importing everything, carrying 100s lbs. of Florida live rock on the plane (9000 miles), DSB, imported cucumbers (also air travelers), bought everything - top notch, Fed Ex'd it from the States. One Powder Blue Tang died after I tried so hard to make everything perfect for him. I was so crushed at the killing of that beautiful fish that I vowed I would never endanger another delicate fish. I gave the entire 150g set up away to the LFS. A few years later I tried a Nano that never really got off the ground, poor equipment and not the right approach to make it work.
This time, I simply bought a set up (rather than planning for months the "perfect" tank/equipment) and I am just going to enjoy and do my best without stressing too much I hope.
I would like to keep it simple... if that is possible!
Mushrooms, polyps, zoanthids would be nice. Easy enough. I am not a fan of tangs (too timid and I beleive they need really big tanks to swim happily plus they are delicate) so I thought I'd try to keep small reef fish and just enjoy their romp and play around my little "reef". I love bright yellow sun polyps and would love to have some. Maybe an anenome for clowns, maybe a breeding pair of clowns. Not really a huge clown fan but readily available here as are some anenomes (anenomes would not be my first choice but maybe I could keep them happy). I love birdsnests but I know they need very specific lighting and care - not for me I'm sure. A colorful clam would be cool. Again, lighting/care issues. I am not a big fan of softies but I do really like some LPS corals but they may need more than I can give if they require really complicated care. I am sure that SPS are completely out. I'll probably end up with damsels and LR! But hey...
I do weekly water changes provide the best possible environment without the extras of Kalk/buffers, all the fancy stuff. I will be keeping it simple.
I have no problem spending $$$ on tanks requirements but the problem is... why get too elaborate when there is not alot of corals available and no one here has much knowledge? I am a girl without the technical electrical, plumbing, chemistry skills needed - I would need some on-the-ground help. If I were in the States... the sky's the limit... but when in Rome!
So I guess I am looking at simple-to-keep corals that will do well with my lighting and small and surely agressive, mean little fish. I will feed Cyclopeese which I will ship in (I think it's the best food) and a mix of fresh seafood that I make up myself and whatever I can find that seems like a quality product. I use IO salt (only salt available).
Does this help?
I wonder... I am actually closer to the suppliers of fish/coral like Indonesia, Singapore, Philipines, etc. But we still don't get much of a selection. You'd think we'd have great choice but I guess there is no real demand. Plus, there is no emphasis on the care of the animals. They are expendable, for decoration. If they die, they are replaced without too much remorse. Very few would take the steps required to keep difficult animals. It's a lack of education and information I think. Plus we have so many nationalities here, english is a barrier for many so it's hard for them to become educated. At least that is my take. Not to be callus to those who are involved in the hobby and do the research because I know there are some, hopefully we will connect on this forum and maybe with a combined effort, be able to further the hobby. I am just a newbie but still interested in helping our local reefing community to grow and become aware of issues that are important to us on this board.
Carolyn
