For those who have left the hobby/sold off your tanks

[chrisstie]

What was it like?

I'm really wrestling with the decision. I'm wondering what peoples experiences have been after not having a tank for a while. For me it would mean easier to move this year, travelling would mean I'd only need a sitter for the cats...

I'm just really attached to one of my fish, she's kind of like the fish equivalent of a dog. I know many of you are dog lovers out there and I'm not sure I could give her up. Does it get easier after a while?

Ideally since I have a 34 and 55 I'd like to move, get my career going, invest in a tank that is an investment, not something I put up on the small money I had at the time. Something deserving of taking that much time and care and something setup a lot better than the way my one system is now. There is so much I've learned about this hobby that I'd want to change- having a wider tank is definitely one that comes to mind.

I'm hoping this isn't going to start any kind of wacky discussion, just curious about the "after" experience, thanks!

 

[cur10u5g30rg3]

I couldn't leave completely. I still have my little tank at work. I broke down and got rid of my 150 at home. I do miss sitting infront of my "wall of water" and loosing myself in it for hours. I gotta say though, it is definately easier on the wallet and I don't have the hour of time spent on it cleaning and feeding the fish when I get home from work every day. It does suck when my two year old ask where it went.

I think the worste part for me was selling everything for about 40 cents on the dollar of what I spend on it.

 

[cham]

It was a relief at first. I used to worry about my tank having issues, especially while on vacation. But after awhile you miss it.

If you're really attached to one fish give it to a friend with the understanding that if you get back into the hobby you'd like it back.

We used to do that as car guys.

 

[smpolyp]

I would think every hobbyist goes through the thought of taking down their tank for relief. The ones that stay in it say they are thankful they did. What seemed to help them was to find a way to get that new tank feeling back by either tearing down the several little tanks and making one big one or down sizing into one small tank like cur10u5g30rg3 said. I know what you are saying on moving. I went through a stage were I moved my 125 about every 6 months for a couple of years. Some up to an hour or so away. What helped me make that easy was preparation in the move. Whatever you choose; choose to stay in the hobby and make that choice something that will make the hobby easier for yourself.

 

[chrisstie]

Well I plan on staying in the hobby. I'm just going to be moving to Seattle more than likely this year, and that will just be utterly impossible to keep a tank up and running through the time.

Cham, you gave me a wonderful idea and I know just the person to ask Thanks.

I told myself I'd sleep on this yesterday but with no takers on a package deal on the 34 and a weekend coming up looks like I might have to make a big post soon. With my one fish in good hands (or if I have to sell her, we've had a great time together) I think I could deal. Right now for once for my own health getting out of dodge sounds like the best idea

I am trying to get work out there as entry level computer or environmental engineer but there are also some fisheries, NOAA, and aquarium opportunities too. I'll be applying to an aquarium internship at the one in Tacoma, WA for the summer. I could maybe say I had a few thousand gallons tank then eh? Hence planning to stay in the hobby, just a tad differently than I can now.

 

[dugg]

It's really not all that hard to move a tank with you that distance. I moved my 75 gallon here 1500 miles with no issues at all. I bought a large ice chest and put all the sand, fish, and corals in that, and put all of the rock and the rest of the water in 5 gallon buckets and loaded it in the truck. It took 3 days total, and didn't lose one thing. A 34 gallon would be really easy. All of the shaking around from the truck keeps the water airated just fine. If you want, just put the cooler on last, and open the lid once a day to let in fresh air. I didn't even do that with mine, and like i said, i didn't lose so much as a snail in my move.

 

[markandkristen]

this is my opinion if you have a fish that is close to you see if someone can keep it for you a couple of months or so. than when you can re- setup your tank have it overnighted to you ... a lot less headache. my opinion is when your moving and trying to get everything unpacked its alot to try and reset up a fish tank in the same day.. i would rather either sell my setup and buy another used one. when i got thier or let the live rock go dry and reset it up when i was able to at my own conveniece. when i moved to my 150 about 2 months ago it was alot of work. and definately a stressful day much less adding on traveling for a long day

 

[chrisstie]

Well Dugg, I also have 3 cats I have to move and we will be renting and I haven't even flown out to find a place yet. I'm waiting to find out if I get a job, an internship, or go out with neither. Its going to take a lot just to find a place that allows that many cats. Also my 55 setup here is custom with a stand that I don't think would work out since its built into a function of my house. I'd need a new one and hey, look at that, all my money will be tied up with travel and rent.

No I think I need to get out I just need to find out what to do with my fish-baby first: )

If I had a job already secure and a place secure and it was a matter of going to point A to point B I don't think it'd be abig problem but I have too many things to accomplish in regards to job searching and being able to travel and being afraid everything will die while I'm gone. Heck, I have to find out about the fish stores near where I land out there too

 

[dugg]

Yeah that is a huge move, was just letting you know that in a large cooler, your stuff will be fine on the trip if you decide to go that route. I was afraid all my stuff would die on the trip, and even waited a day after we arrived before setting up, and it all made it fine. You can also drill a small hole in the center of the cooler lid and use a battery powered airpump if it worries you that they will need the air. Kind of ruins the cooler, but way cheaper then a new tank lol.

 

[Pacific Reefs]

Are you going to sell your Latz? Maybe I can find room in the 375g lol.

 

[Bdawgfl]

I just parted with Sea World East Orlando this week. My daughter was quite upset. Wanted me to protect her for several days from the empty tank. I wanted my wife to protect me. I let the 180 system go because I will be traveling around the country alone for the remainder of the year. The tank is too much work for my wife to do without me, especially with a newborn and a toddler. We expect our bills to go down about $150 per month between electricity and water and random crap I buy to take care of it. I am still jonesing to see my tank though.

 

[chrisstie]

Yeah I think there will definitely be some kind of loss there. Maybe i'll need to see a therapist ;p

We're planning on shipping our cars out when we move and flying so I don't think the airlines will let me on with a cooler full of fish

Tom, I'll let you know about Gladys, she's bonded with a Clarkii but there is someone I'm offering her up to now and waiting to her back from. Once that is decided I will let you know if she's available or not. I expect to have a post up tomorrow sometime with stuff, I'd rather do it and get it over with before I have time to think on it and go back and forth and change my mind. I'll be home Sunday for pickups too.

I have changed tanks and switched out corals and livestock before but this just seems so final it is scaring me. Its like I am in denial, lol.

I really appreciate you guys sharing your thoughts and opinions though. I am really fortunate I don't have a small child to explain this to, i think it would absolutely break my heart to have to articulate to a young person what it means.

I'm just REALLY going to hope I get this internship at the aquarium, it would be a chance of a lifetime, and out west there are so many other opportunities. Its the first time in my life where I've felt a yearning and I think it outweighs having my fish tank right now.

If I could go back in time I would have just saved up and bought a 200g tank and done it right but I had NO idea what I was getting into or how addicting it would be. Until my tanks starting getting filled up and I learned a whole LOT (and still am) it was fish store time every weekend. My poor husband!!! haha.

I look forward to that time again in setting up a new tank once I'm established wherever I end up. I think that new tank feeling will take the edge off.

 

[dugg]

If it makes you feel any better, things will be much cheaper out there than here. All corals entering the U.S. have to go through the customs port in California. That is why they coast so much here. When i lived in Oklahoma the corals and fish cost 1/2 what they do here. Shipping makes the prices shoot up pretty high here on the east coast. The wast coast also gets the cream of the crop.

 

[orlandobrian]

I'm going to miss you chrisstie, even though I never met you LOL.

I think your doing the right thing putting this hobby asside until you can devote your time to it again.... You will go back to it too - I did after taking a 10 year break! Sometimes I wonder what happened to my little pets from ten years ago, but I love my new fish/corals too (you just have to think they are living a good life). The "trick" for me was staying away from lfs and books/magazines that talk about this hobby (out of site, out of mind). That was the only way!!! A ten gallon tank leads to a twenty and before you know it your running three or more tanks and its "here we go again".

My only advice to you is to simplify your life until you get your career established!!! Good luck and God bless you and your husband on your move and new life!

 

[smpolyp]

Tough Love. If you truely love the hobby you will have a tank always. As you see we do not want to lose a good aquarist.

 

[cwegescheide]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14655349#post14655349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by markandkristen
this is my opinion if you have a fish that is close to you see if someone can keep it for you a couple of months or so. than when you can re- setup your tank have it overnighted to you ... a lot less headache. my opinion is when your moving and trying to get everything unpacked its alot to try and reset up a fish tank in the same day.. i would rather either sell my setup and buy another used one. when i got thier or let the live rock go dry and reset it up when i was able to at my own conveniece. when i moved to my 150 about 2 months ago it was alot of work. and definately a stressful day much less adding on traveling for a long day

When I moved from Indianapolis to Tampa I had my favorite LFS in Indy overnight all my corals to me when I was ready. I think they held my corals for me for about 5 months if I recall. GREAT guys to do that for me.

 

[european freak]

well i started to sell off everything and i had a massive chance of heart..i couldn't do it.so i only have some of my rock and my trigger..now i must start over...

 

[chrisstie]

Well save for a firefish and basslet that need picking up and some drygoods to sell it is done. My latz now has a great retirement home at SITC (Thank you Marcye she is just gorgeous under MHs!!) and she's there with her mate Sherman. what an odd couple.

One thing I thought about made me realize that there is very little in this hobby you only see once. Very little. So knowing my animals went to good homes and that my cc is paid off now and I can travel to get my career where I want it to me, I'm okay with it.

My goal is to come back on here when I have work and show you my new tank - which if I'm really lucky in the next few months will be the Aquarium tanks at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma.

When I get out there the plan is 1 coldwater tank and 1 reef tank. But it may take a year or two to get settled, find funds, etc. but in the meantime there are peoples webcames, websites, and other stuff that just make me smile and will keep me going until I have something setup in the flesh again

 

[seth16]

Christie I LOVED the hobby, it was an escape from the horrid school life and work that was never fun. It kept me busy and sane And the funny thing is that the thing that most people who DONT have an aquarium hate to think about (the mainenence and cleaning and whatknot) is exactly what made it THAT much more rewarding When my sea cucumber expoloded and killed EVERYTHING in my tank i was devastated. I honestly did not know what to do,i just lost a thousand dollars of livestock (give or take lol)....I broke down anc cleaned the setup, sold the saveable equipment and tank and stand, and gave up. Soon after i realized i needed SOMETHING so i set up a small nano tank with one of David's awesome acrylic QT tanks that i won 3 of at meetings, and I kept a cleaner shrimp and aa damsel in. That is all i have had since leaving that big time hobby, and it it still kills me. I will now be making over $2500 a month with the new jobs i have and am buying a new car this week, and am going to start saving to get a nice big setup that i can invest iin like you want to. In the meantime, i want to get a small 12 or 24 gallon nano cube to keep me busy while i save up. But yeah Christie :/ I was devastated without my reef tank, and I still am, i miss it and now can realize that that was MY HOBBY. I have many talents and hobbies, but that was MY HOBBY. It fit me and i thouroughly enjoyed it I am in or was in the same boat as you (kind of) but chose to wait and save so that i am buy everything i need at ONCE and not add necessary items on here and there as I came up with the money to get them. I miss the hobby and all of you guys and hope to get back into the swing of things (on a small scale) in the next month. I hope you make the right decision

 

[JuanGil75]

I am in the same boat now.. Tearing down hopefully soon. I have a couple of friends holding a few pieces of live stock for me but everything else is going.. I was going to store it in the garage, but like anything else it will rot faster just sitting there. Not sure how long I will be out but I do plan to get something else in the future maybe on a smaller scale.