Reef hobby stamina

[northbay-reefer]

I have been in this hobby for over 20 years, I started out with a small 40 gal salt water fish only, upgrade to a 55 gal, add another 85 gal tank. Moved into a new house in 2000 and replace it with a 180 reef and now my current tank is 210 gal reef with 90 gal fuge and 40 sump.

Through out the years I have quit the hobby twice, one time went to a fresh water and another time just taking a year off. I have gone through so many life changing experiences, money problems, lack of time, over worked, and many many reef tank disaster set back. My wife is always on my case about the electricity cost and the amount of water that I used. Many time I just want to throw the whole things away due to water leakage, pest problems, electrical issues, equipment burns out ... you name it I went through it.

But I am proud to say that after 20 years my tank is still up and running. The tank goes through its own issues such as lack of maintenance and things like that but all in all it is still up and running and the fishes and most of the corals are happy. It is not like it used to be but it still brings be happiness and I am still at doing doing reef.

It seems like the first thing people get rid off when their life turn for the worse or life gets busy etc. I used to do that myself so I know how it is. But after years and years of staying this hobby and keep coming back to it, I realized that Reefing is in my blood and It brings me happiness so I will stick with it like a commitment and not just a hobby. When life turned sour I turn to my reef tank rather than turning my back on it.

So many people are getting rid of their reef tank and forgot how gungho they were when they started the whole process of setting up a tank, they forgot how happy and excited they were and how much time and money they spent on it. If something that bring this much joy to you, why are you trying to get rid of it?

If you are thinking about getting rid of your tank ... think again !!! :beer:

 

[shaneh]

Tom,

I know what you mean, trust me I feel it in my blood too I have never been so passionate for a hobby that I miss work, leave a party early to do a late water change and check the water at 2AM. But after crunching the number and my time with commuting it is more of a chore and stress at the moment and then an enjoyment. Don't get me wrong I still love my tank and more power to those of you who have been in this hobby a long time it is a full commitment. This may just be a break for me until I can get life back in order it is the first of a few things that I need to let go for the time being...but don't be surprised if I want to drop off an abalone some time and watch your tank for a few hours or even still show up at the meetings. I'm hoping with this sacrifice that it will free up more time and money to put in the house for the time being and then be back some time in the future even stronger. But I may never do a tank this large again, but I can always say I did it and have the memories of all the good times and enjoyment it brought me. I don't want to bring others down with me I encourage everyone to stay in and keep the club alive as I hope to be back one day. I just need some time off to focus on a few other things in life at the moment.

PS: Sorry start a debby downer FS thread, but this will give someone an oppurtunity to have a big tank.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Shane,

If I sat down and crunch the number I would be shocked and kick myself in the butt for spending so much money on this hobby ... lol ... something is just priceless you know you don't go around and add up how much time and money you spend on your wife right? lol

You can come by hang out and look at the tank any time just let me know so I can clean it first lol ... right now life is busy with my job, new wife, kids and a new business so I have dialed back my routine with my tank maintenance, instead of bi-weekly water change, I do a monthly, instead of testing the tank every week, I dial in my calcium reactor to maintain the minimum parameter and left it alone, I test maybe once a month . The whole tank is on a timer and automatic fish feeder so it basically takes care of itself. I glance at it once in a while and add fresh water to the top off tank. I also turned of one of my 3 pumps for my skimmer, down size the return pump for my fuge, use less lights and saved 50 bucks last month in PG&E . What am trying to say is you don't have to get rid of your investment, just dial it back and keep it going. You will enjoy it when you are done with the house. Your house will always be there, take your time fixing it, the tank adds to it. I hope you hang in there.

 

[shaneh]

I know what you mean....i have one guy in the Bay Area that is intrested so we will see what happens. And no matter what happens alot of ppl in this club have helped me understand and get to where i am today so thanks to you all.

 

[thysrof]

Shane,

My suggestion is once you get your tank sold,set up something smaller. A nano can be just as rewarding and a heck of a lot less work than a 175.

Hope you hang in there!

 

[shaneh]

BTW just thought i would mention the corals i did get from the club in raffles will go back to the club if i sell.

 

[crispyreef]

I know exactly what you mean. There has been a few times when I just wanted my tank to go away. First it was my not having time when my son was born. Then it was the different coral pests that take there shots at tearing the tank down, AEFW, RBs, Monti eating nudis, you name them I have had them. This has a lot to do with my lack of participation in the club. Then my second boy was born. My tank took another crash as bryopsis wanted to take over. I have lost numerous corals and could not stand the sight of my tank. I have had to deal with just about everything. When my tank doesn't look good and I have a 3 year old and a new born, it has been hard for me to go to meetings to say the least. Is my tank still up and running? YES! I have had to make a few changes to simplify it and upgrade a couple things, but I am up and running. All pest are gone, algae is now receding and under control. I have reminded myself why I love this hobby and the satisfaction I get from it. No, my tank is not where I want it, but that is the challenge of this hobby. Reef On!:bum:

 

[carne.espada]

So my wife is 49, has Alzheimer's Disease and needs to move to an Assisted Living Facility. We will need to sell the house sooner than later to pay for the $5 or $6000 a month to pay for her housing. I still need to have a place to sleep, a place to work from and somewhere to store my stuff. I need to keep racing motorcycles because it is the only thing I enjoy anymore and it keeps me semi-sane. I am gone 2-3 weeks out of a month and never know if I am going to get called up to go overseas. It has happened twice since 2006.
Does this make me a quitter?
I think what is worse than someone selling their tank is someone who thinks that they want "get into the hobby" and think somehow that they can do it for less than EVERYONE else has.
One PM, that is what I have received on my tank.
Sure makes it hard for us quitters.

 

[crispyreef]

Nobody is been singled out and everybody has a different situation. IMO this thread is to encourage those in the hobby. Personally I commend you for even trying to keep a tank being gone that much with work.

 

[thysrof]

Rob,

Sorry to hear about your wife. My very good Friends mom was in Primrose and they really liked the facility.

like I said before the bigger the tank the more work. even a little desk top 6 gal nano is really cool. I saw on on the counter at North bay with an LED light it was quite impressive.