I been around for three years or so and feel its been on the downswing the entire time.....I always here "good ol' days" stories and a bunch of reefers like yourself taking a break.......I figure it only takes one or two and the rest will come tumbling back in.
I think overall the industry is changing (has changed) and there are more people with more diverse interests that can be isolated.
(I am under the theory that as we learn more about the needs of each coral type, tank biotopes are getting more specialized for what we are keeping. SPSers hang with SPSers and etc)
....but you have to remember, its a large learning curve and not all who try make it, I see a bunch of "newer" people with a passion and excitment some may have lost........I think this energy is contagious and good for the "old guys" who have been there and done that. Here is Sac, a bunch of stores have opened in the last few years and we seem to have a steady influx of new people on the forum.
The well informed people with tons of knowledge who lurk is what makes me mad..........when learning to play pool, I was told always play with someone who was better, makes you a better player in the process.