Hey Guys, please give me any explanation why i am seeeing so many reefers pack it in. I have not been doing it that long but i would think with all the great equiptment some of the veteran reefers have it would be a more stabalized less time consuming system. I notice everyone that packs it in says they are fed up, tired or sick of there tank. Please let me know more of what i am getting into if i decide to get a much larger system. I currently have a 90G Oceanic Reef tank, i have some core fish that have been doing fine for about a year and my corals are thriving since i upgraded to 2X250 MH Sunpod. Am i just bound to have a rude awakening sooner or later? what are everyones thoughts.
Everyone Bailing Out
- Thread starter jayblock
- Start date
chemisfun11
New member
I think a lot depends on what's going on with your life and your tank. I've only been into the hobby for close to 4 years now and made some newbie mistakes along the way. Somethings took time to figure out (like my recent battle with redbugs, which I've seem to have won BTW) and I've had lots of help, guidance and inspiration from the veterans out there that have been willing to share their experiences and give back to the reefing community.
I wouldn't panic. I look forward to introducing others to the hobby, sharing experiences I've had and hopefully giving some frags back to the people that were kind enough to me when they decide to return to the hobby.
I'd love to go to the LIRA meetings and meet everyone that shares on this forum, but right now I've got 3 kids ranging from 4 months to 5 1/2, so I can't really do it. I've got other hobbies/responsibilities too. Everyone's tank is somewhere on their "list" of priorities. Life can often change your priorities, so enjoy the hobby, share your experience and be generous with knowledge (and the occasional frag or two
I wouldn't panic. I look forward to introducing others to the hobby, sharing experiences I've had and hopefully giving some frags back to the people that were kind enough to me when they decide to return to the hobby.
I'd love to go to the LIRA meetings and meet everyone that shares on this forum, but right now I've got 3 kids ranging from 4 months to 5 1/2, so I can't really do it. I've got other hobbies/responsibilities too. Everyone's tank is somewhere on their "list" of priorities. Life can often change your priorities, so enjoy the hobby, share your experience and be generous with knowledge (and the occasional frag or two
I bailed out because of a family health issue of a newborn and after I quickly downgraded to stay witht the hobby and the tank split.
I did this hobby for 6 years and loved every minute. Like all hobbies things come and go, but for reef keeping it was great to have so many hobbiests compared to other interests.
I did this hobby for 6 years and loved every minute. Like all hobbies things come and go, but for reef keeping it was great to have so many hobbiests compared to other interests.
pecan2phat
Active member
Since '79 & still going strong 
One large reason is $.022 to $.025 a kilowatt.
One large reason is $.022 to $.025 a kilowatt.
Corpus Callosum
Premium Member
I temporarily "bailed out" like 3 years ago because of time and money restrictions while in college. I picked up a more economical hobby to keep me busy, and will be back to saltwater when I graduate later this year, stabilize my job, and get settled in a new place.
onegreenray
Active member
i down graded when i moved out from my 90 gallon to a 40 breeder. but there are those of us that will always be around:
we are the ones that give those frags back to the ones that bailed for reasons most of the time out of there control!
warren you have been keeping fish since i was born...that is scary.
we are the ones that give those frags back to the ones that bailed for reasons most of the time out of there control!
warren you have been keeping fish since i was born...that is scary.
cthedaytrader
Active member
Well, I can't speak for everyone, but I was out of the hobby, for 2 and half years or so and have no been back in it for about 6 months.
When I left the hobby I had just started a new job, and career, I was working insane hours and my tank became neglected. I had a tank crash, (my own fault), I watched my purple monster die as well as some other rare and expensive corals. Watching expensive corals, that you took the time to collect and care for, die is never fun.
If you don't have the time to enjoy the tank, and care for, then really it can become a stressor, and a giant money drain. I just said enough was enough, and I broke down the tank. Tanks do mature and become more stable, but they still require care, water changes, cleaning, monitoring, tweaking, upgrading, etc., but that is really the fun it the hobby.
While I was out of the hobby there was always an itch lol, I would see someone else's tank and get ideas, I would see a rare coral, or a good deal, but have no place to put the coral, wondering what my tank would look like had I still had it and it matured lol
So finally I bit the bullet and built a new set up, small, but I have always liked smaller high tech setups. I am glad I am back in the hobby, it is so relaxing. It is fun to collect and to try and set up the perfect tank. Now, I just remember to make the time, no matter what time it is to take care of the tank, recognize problems immediately and correct them immediately, of course experience always helps that. I don't regret it for a second, I love my new setup and I am very happy to be back in the hobby, and I throw the receipts away as soon as I buy stuff so I don;t know what I spend lol
When I left the hobby I had just started a new job, and career, I was working insane hours and my tank became neglected. I had a tank crash, (my own fault), I watched my purple monster die as well as some other rare and expensive corals. Watching expensive corals, that you took the time to collect and care for, die is never fun.
If you don't have the time to enjoy the tank, and care for, then really it can become a stressor, and a giant money drain. I just said enough was enough, and I broke down the tank. Tanks do mature and become more stable, but they still require care, water changes, cleaning, monitoring, tweaking, upgrading, etc., but that is really the fun it the hobby.
While I was out of the hobby there was always an itch lol, I would see someone else's tank and get ideas, I would see a rare coral, or a good deal, but have no place to put the coral, wondering what my tank would look like had I still had it and it matured lol
So finally I bit the bullet and built a new set up, small, but I have always liked smaller high tech setups. I am glad I am back in the hobby, it is so relaxing. It is fun to collect and to try and set up the perfect tank. Now, I just remember to make the time, no matter what time it is to take care of the tank, recognize problems immediately and correct them immediately, of course experience always helps that. I don't regret it for a second, I love my new setup and I am very happy to be back in the hobby, and I throw the receipts away as soon as I buy stuff so I don;t know what I spend lol
onegreenray
Active member
lol i got my girl friend into the hobby and now she buys stuff as well for the tank. this way i don't have to worry about receipts.
cthedaytrader
Active member
Lol, thats great greenray, my girlfriend loves the tank now, not sure if she knows how expensive some of the stuff is though lol.
She does want a seahorse tank now though
She does want a seahorse tank now though
I can't remember ever not having a tank of one sort or another
Hmm, do you think I can run an extension cord under the Sound to your house
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12840162#post12840162 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pecan2phat
Since '79 & still going strong
One large reason is $.022 to $.025 a kilowatt.
Hmm, do you think I can run an extension cord under the Sound to your house
gusto1
New member
I agree with you and see more and more people getting out, I myself are trying to decide whether to stay with saltwater or go back to African Cichlids. I find with salt it's more maintenance then the African Cichlids, but not as much as you'd think. whats making me think about swithing.
1) feeding takes a lot more time. I have to defrost the food and rinse it then add vitamins and garlic, (doesn't sound like much but when your trying to get kids ready for school in the morning and having to run downstairs a few time too feed fish) cichlids you just throw in some pellets.
2) getting saltwater ready isn't terrible but does take time.
3) Less problems arise with freshwater, I was battling red slime for a while, now it's coming back a little.
4) the thing thats really hitting me now which is making me really think about converting back is aiptasia , I had 1 or 2 in my sump and now I have them all in my overflows and about 10 in my display. from what I've heard they are almost impossible to completely get rid of.
when I had the Cichlids it's just seem you had more time to enjoy the fish and less time trying to keep water parameters in check, My kids are one of the reasons I haven't done it already, they love the salt water fish.
1) feeding takes a lot more time. I have to defrost the food and rinse it then add vitamins and garlic, (doesn't sound like much but when your trying to get kids ready for school in the morning and having to run downstairs a few time too feed fish) cichlids you just throw in some pellets.
2) getting saltwater ready isn't terrible but does take time.
3) Less problems arise with freshwater, I was battling red slime for a while, now it's coming back a little.
4) the thing thats really hitting me now which is making me really think about converting back is aiptasia , I had 1 or 2 in my sump and now I have them all in my overflows and about 10 in my display. from what I've heard they are almost impossible to completely get rid of.
when I had the Cichlids it's just seem you had more time to enjoy the fish and less time trying to keep water parameters in check, My kids are one of the reasons I haven't done it already, they love the salt water fish.
pecan2phat
Active member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12843539#post12843539 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
Hmm, do you think I can run an extension cord under the Sound to your house
You can imagine how pee'd I was when they increased the surcharge last month.........muttering something to the likes of higher oil cost.
Blah..............
Now I need to pay $0.13 a kilowatt instead of the $0.11 that I was paying all last year :lol:
pecan2phat
Active member
I think Seattle still has electricity for 11 cents a kilowatt
Here you go Lonnie.... http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/rankings/stateelectricityprice.htm
