Restarting after Fighting Cancer!

jmaster69 · 11/02/2021, 11:30 PM

So 14 months ago, at 33 years old, I had the shock of my life when I was diagnosed with AML leukemia. Given 4% chance of survival, here we are! I'm feeling good and slowly getting back into the swing of things!

I have always dreamed of having a shallow reef so seeing as I am in remission at the moment! it's time to start planning my dream

I am thinking max 45 gallons. This will definately be a BUDGET tank. Nothing too fancy. Hoping to get back to work in 6 months time if all remains stable

Id love to see some shallow reefs or tanks you guys might have ! I need all the inspiration and motivation I can get!

If interested in donating/sharing or just reading my story i've attached the gofundme link. Please do not feel obligated to donate! I simply want to spread the word that beating cancer IS possible!

Link Removed - Sorry, we don't allow solicitations - Anemone

Sk8r · 11/12/2021, 10:00 AM

I had my own bout with it, different type, during 2020. Lovely year. Also doing well, and trying to keep my 100 gallon reef back in shape. My advice is build your reef, then get a cleanup crew to keep the algae under control, and then add either corals or fish or both little at a time, with quarantine and procedure for the fish: we know from fighting cancer that little problems can become towering problems if neglected, so take that step to be sure of your fishes. And dip your corals. And start small re the corals. I recommend softies for minimal care---but they are also fussy about environment. Test weekly, at least as far as the Big Three, alk, cal, and magnesium---good readings for same are in my sig line. And get corals that match your lighting capacity---stony large-polyp is good at 10,000 k at a range of 9-15", as I recall from my lps tank. Softies are more forgiving, but still fussy about lighting. Your best fishes for a 45 will be blennies, gobies, basslets like the royal gramma, small clowns, and one--!!!---blue chromis: they run about madly and reassure the others there are no sharks. HTH.

You might also consider joining a reef club in your area: they are a great source of advice, commiseration, and spare equipment---the people who will help if you have a tank crisis on New Year's Eve. Well worth the investment of time.

jmaster69 · 11/21/2021, 10:08 PM

Thanks for reply and hints bud! Ive planned out the whole thing actually

the only issue im having at the moment is finding someone to build my aquarium within a reasonable amount. Prices are all over the place.

If you know of anyone who builds shallow aquariums in canada let me know!

Thanks and I hope to have some pictures soon!

Herndog · 12/01/2021, 09:27 PM

Glad to hear you are doing good! Good luck with your restart into reefing!

11/02/2021, 11:30 PM	#1
jmaster69 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	Restarting after Fighting Cancer! So 14 months ago, at 33 years old, I had the shock of my life when I was diagnosed with AML leukemia. Given 4% chance of survival, here we are! I'm feeling good and slowly getting back into the swing of things! I have always dreamed of having a shallow reef so seeing as I am in remission at the moment! it's time to start planning my dream I am thinking max 45 gallons. This will definately be a BUDGET tank. Nothing too fancy. Hoping to get back to work in 6 months time if all remains stable Id love to see some shallow reefs or tanks you guys might have ! I need all the inspiration and motivation I can get! If interested in donating/sharing or just reading my story i've attached the gofundme link. Please do not feel obligated to donate! I simply want to spread the word that beating cancer IS possible! Link Removed - Sorry, we don't allow solicitations - Anemone Last edited by Anemone; 11/05/2021 at 04:55 PM.

11/12/2021, 10:00 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I had my own bout with it, different type, during 2020. Lovely year. Also doing well, and trying to keep my 100 gallon reef back in shape. My advice is build your reef, then get a cleanup crew to keep the algae under control, and then add either corals or fish or both little at a time, with quarantine and procedure for the fish: we know from fighting cancer that little problems can become towering problems if neglected, so take that step to be sure of your fishes. And dip your corals. And start small re the corals. I recommend softies for minimal care---but they are also fussy about environment. Test weekly, at least as far as the Big Three, alk, cal, and magnesium---good readings for same are in my sig line. And get corals that match your lighting capacity---stony large-polyp is good at 10,000 k at a range of 9-15", as I recall from my lps tank. Softies are more forgiving, but still fussy about lighting. Your best fishes for a 45 will be blennies, gobies, basslets like the royal gramma, small clowns, and one--!!!---blue chromis: they run about madly and reassure the others there are no sharks. HTH. You might also consider joining a reef club in your area: they are a great source of advice, commiseration, and spare equipment---the people who will help if you have a tank crisis on New Year's Eve. Well worth the investment of time. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

12/01/2021, 09:27 PM	#4
Herndog Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 63	Glad to hear you are doing good! Good luck with your restart into reefing! __________________ He Who? Who He? Current Tank Info: Reefer 250 / MP40QWD / Gen 5 Radion Pro / Apex / Trident

11/21/2021, 10:08 PM	#3
jmaster69 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	Thanks for reply and hints bud! Ive planned out the whole thing actually the only issue im having at the moment is finding someone to build my aquarium within a reasonable amount. Prices are all over the place. If you know of anyone who builds shallow aquariums in canada let me know! Thanks and I hope to have some pictures soon!