Quitting the fish hobby

[bigtide]

Thinking about quitting the hobby after 5 years. My 55 gallon tank's been a mess lately, algae everywhere, fish dying randomly. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Using a Fluval 307, weekly 30% changes. What's the point if it's just stress?

[Angelie]

That's rough. Have you checked your lighting schedule? Too much light can cause algae blooms even with good params. I had a similar issue until I cut my photoperiod to 6 hours. Also, what's your stock list? Overcrowding can stress fish silently.

[tastyflavours]

Yeah, algae's a pain. I switched to RO water and it helped a ton. My tap had weird minerals. Maybe test your source water? Also, how old's your substrate? Old gravel can trap nasties.

[sunnygold]

That's rough. Have you checked your lighting schedule? Too much light can cause algae blooms even with good params. I had a similar issue until I cut my photoperiod to 6 hours. Also, what's your stock list? Overcrowding can stress fish silently.

Lighting's huge. I run my LEDs at 50% intensity now, no more green water. Bigtide, what's your filter media look like? Maybe it's clogged and not processing waste right.

[aqualuna]

Dude, don't bail yet. Algae's just a phase. Scrape the glass, blackout for a few days, and add floaters like Frogbit. They'll outcompete the algae for nutrients. My tank was a swamp last month, now it's chill. You got this.

[bigtide]

Thanks for the tips. Stock is 8 Tetras, 5 Corys, and a BN Pleco. Substrate's 2 years old, sand capped. I'll try the blackout and check the filter. Maybe I'm just burnt out.

[Angelie]

That stock sounds fine for a 55. The Pleco might be contributing to the bioload though. How often do you feed? Overfeeding's a sneaky culprit. I'd skip a day or two, see if the water clears up.

[tastyflavours]

Dude, don't bail yet. Algae's just a phase. Scrape the glass, blackout for a few days, and add floaters like Frogbit. They'll outcompete the algae for nutrients. My tank was a swamp last month, now it's chill. You got this.

Floaters are clutch. I threw in Salvinia and it sucked up nitrates like crazy. Bigtide, you running any phosphate removers? High phosphates feed algae too.

[sunnygold]

Burnout's real. Take a break from the daily grind. Automate what you can, like a timer for lights and an auto-feeder. Less hands-on time might reignite the joy. Also, consider a rescape. Fresh layout can make it feel new again.

[aqualuna]

Yep, rescapes are therapy. I redid my hardscape with spiderwood and dragon stone last year, totally changed the vibe. Maybe swap the sand for planted substrate if you're up for it. Root tabs could help if plants are struggling.