Reefing and OCD?

[Joche]

I suck at real life social interactions, so yes I can see that.

LOL So do I! Bro hug?

In a way, our tanks can be an OCD person's worst nightmare. I can't control my Hermit Crab from stealing another's shell, only to discard it for the one it had on originally the very next day. I can't control algae growth on the back of one of my snail's shell...none of the others, just this one particular snail grows long algae on its back??? WTH, it drives me nutz! And I can't control it when no matter how neatly I place my Goniopora, my Diamond Watchman Goby digs the sand out from around the base and topples it over. Every...single.........day. :facepalm:

You couldn't be more right! Seems to me that every modern reefer looks for ultimate control and fail to notice that you just can't control nature. You can only "dance" within the parameters it allows.

I don't think I have real OCD, but I am very particular about neatness and organization to the point where when I vacuum, I do so in straight lines so the pattern left in the carpet is straight and uniform.
Reefkeeping has helped me stray a bit away from being bothered if something is not in its exact spot or done in a certain way. I when I setup my current tank I wanted to to have all the wiring for everything bundled in rigid wiring tubes, however my past experience in the hobby reminded me how much of a pain that makes it to remove and service and clean equipment and I have learned to live with a few dangling wires as long as they are out of sight.
I still do things that are unnecessary, for instance when its time to refill my kalk reactor, instead of simply opening the fill tube to add more. I must remove it and give it a thorough cleaning to remove the chalky build up on the sides.

I find that sense of peace though when I am staring at the tank and everything is happy and growing, gives me that "everything is okay" feeling that life outside of reefing isn't always able to offer.

I'd call this an example of using a reef related "exposure" to benefit other aspects of your daily life. You can honestly and accurately say your tank is good for you beyond it being "pretty".

 

[wij]

Good afternoon all, this has turned into a deep discussion indeed, I belive everyone to an extent has O.C.D it's in our nature to keep things tidy it doesn't matter on how much we try to not do a certain thing we still find ourselves doing it! Every animal, insect, human ect, do this . marine tanks for me are relaxing and educational and with the right mind set you are creating a echo system in your own home pretty darn good considering the human race are destroying our oceans.im glad I started this hobby because it has taught me how fragile the ocean is and yes you get obsessed with your tanks to re create natural environment for our animals call it O.C.D it doesn't matter really if you enjoy it! !

 

[hogfanreefer]

Good discussion.

I wish I had some type A tendencies. The thing is I don't...except for my tank. Can't stand it if the glass is dirty. My 200 page composition note book that I use for my tank log is 1/2 used and my tank is only about 2.5 years old.

True OCD is one the most frustrating illnesses imaginable. Think about not being able to refrain from doing something even if you don't want to or know it's counter productive?

 

[Buzz1329]

Collateralized debt obligation?

Ha!

 

[kmbyrnes]

If I had a $2k fish in my care I don't think I would ever enjoy it to be honest.

I now have well over $2k in fish and coral in my care and I enjoy them every single day. They are such a stress relief!

My first build was a $100 CL special. Learned a lot and worried a lot.
Now I don't worry at all because the knowledge gained over time gives me the confidence to handle anything that pops up.

Here's my .02 on the control aspect of tanks:
My stepson has some OCD-type behaviors, and I can't see him ever being able to care for a tank.
The stress of the all the little things that go wrong on a mature tank daily would drive him nuts.
Getting through a cycle would paralyze him.