Thinking about getting out....

Don't do it Aaron!

Over the years I have def "slowed down" but it would take a lot to get me out, like no food on the table.
 
I also got burned out and left the hobby after years of being in it. Then one day I walked into Creative Oceans for the hell of it and fell hopelessly back in. Once it's in your blood, it never leaves. Believe me, I know. Good luck!
 
Downsizing and simplifying things worked for me. You can easily automate it to the point where other than feeding you can let it go for days at a time with no harm. That way you can spend time with the family and know the tank will be fine. Still find myself fiddling around sometimes but not nearly as much.
 
i've been there, done that! my tank is close to being what i call complete, and just going to let it grow. I did that with my 30, once i had it all setup with what i wanted, I didnt have to buy livestock or anything but salt and filters for my RO and food. It was quite nice, just wanted something larger this time around.

13 years ago or so, i had too many tanks, too much going on, and had time for nothing else, including a vacation! time came i bought a house, got rid of most of my tanks, (including the 180 i still miss to this day!) and kept a 110 for a while, eventually got rid of it, went about 6 months with nothing, then built an 11g nano i had for 6 years, then the 30 for 2 1/2, and now my 90.

moral of my story:

keep 1 tank, large enough not to take up too much weekly/daily maintenance time, and keep it a hobby, not an obsesion!
 
krazedkazoo said:
I was thinking about randomly getting out too. I can't find a job that doesn't give me five hours a week and college is slowly draining my money.

I definitely don't have any kids though! It's gotta be hard. Good luck.
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Liar! i could get you a job before you could bat an eye :P
 
Taking care of a reef doesnt take THAT much time. I travel a lot for work and pretty much only have the weekend to look at the tank let alone look at it. When I am home I do catch myself wasting a lot of time just sitting there staring at stuff in the tank. I could take care of weekly water changes/testing etc in an hour or so if I wanted to.

I've got the tank automated to the hilt with feedings/top-off managed with good autofeeders. With an aquacontroller I can check basic stuff at a glance.
 
Here's a thought...

You could turn tank maintenence INTO a family thing. Don't seperate the two, combine them. :thumbsup:

I don't know how old your child/children are, but get them interested early. It's much easier that way than it will be with the wife. (if she's not into it that is) lol In reality, YOU'D be doing the work, but you'd have helpers. Don't let anyone do anything with the tank you'd not be comfortable with. In other words don't let a 5 year old dose the B-Ionic 2 part. :hmm4: It gives them the feeling that they are helping you, and they'll love it. I know mine do. Mine go overboard with excitement if I just let them put the food in the tank. :inlove:

Oh and if the wife is like mine and hates the tank, agree to join her in an activity SHE enjoys...then you both get something out of it. Maybe she'll have you help her scrapbook, or go to dance lessons. Promise her you'll join in on something she's always wanted to do. You both need things that you really love and enjoy...yours sounds like your tank. Don't give it up.
 
wsurf4me said:
Downsizing and simplifying things worked for me. You can easily automate it to the point where other than feeding you can let it go for days at a time with no harm. That way you can spend time with the family and know the tank will be fine. Still find myself fiddling around sometimes but not nearly as much.
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I agree, I think simply automating it or downsizing would be enough. I would never get out of the hobby completely. Maybe just keep a nano. I would sell your current tank and hang on to all the equipment so you don't have as much start-up costs when you get back in. JMO.
 
I definately can understand where your coming from Aaron. I had to recently do the same thing. Priorities shift and change. Don't worry I doubt the hobby is going to go anywhere if you have to get out in a few years. Good luck to you and I hope your able to make the right decision by your family.
 
"Maybe we could mosy on over to mamby pandy land and get you some self confidence you Jack Wagon".

Seriously though, I can understand where your coming from. Only a couple years ago I had 4 different systems to take care of. Got all of it into 1 tank and made it a lil' easier. I basically just let what happens...happen.

Family is allways first. Just remember, while your out, I'll be collecting all the cool stuff. ;p
 
GrouperGenius said:
"Maybe we could mosy on over to mamby pandy land and get you some self confidence you Jack Wagon".

Seriously though, I can understand where your coming from. Only a couple years ago I had 4 different systems to take care of. Got all of it into 1 tank and made it a lil' easier. I basically just let what happens...happen.

Family is allways first. Just remember, while your out, I'll be collecting all the cool stuff. ;p
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Thats pretty much all I do I figure if its happening in my tank it must happen in the wild so be it lol. I did buy all digital meters so I dont have to take an hour out of my day to test every thing now all I have to do is peek inside my stand.

I have a wife and 3 kids ages 4,2,1 and it gets tough sometimes but I involve my kids simple things like "Son grab me a frag plug" sounds simple but it makes there day. Kids absolutely love the tank so dont give up my friend its a good way to bond with your kids and create some father/child time as well.
If you came to my house my 4 year old can name you every coral I have and fish. And tell you everything about my tank probably better than me lol
 
I hear you all. I appreciate all the support. My tank is automated to the extreme and I really don't "need" to do anything other than feed the fish and clean the glass. I think I may just be getting burned out and need a break for a few years. Coral(our 3 month old daughter) is still too young to appreciate the tank, let alone do any maintenance :) I think in 5 or 6 years I will get back in, but for now I am going to take a break. I know I will lose my as* as far as selling what I have, but it is best for me to get rid of everything(at whatever loss) so that I don't jump back in too quick. I am still going to ponder through the weekend, then I will make my final decision, but I really think I have already made it :(

Thanks everyone,
Aaron
 
Hey its your choice but just make sure you weigh all your options. Just dont want to think you want out, sell everything then kick your self in the *** for doing it. Just make sure its what you want thats all!
 
With the quality of coral you produce, you leaving would be a mistake. Your set up and the amount of care you take with your coral shows in the color and growth. I only met you once but its obvious this is your thing.

Bob
 
I agree with Aaron, it’s difficult at times. I am balancing school, work, and family. I have to get people to come over and take care of the tank when I go out of town. I am always worried that something will go wrong w/it when I am away. I find myself attending the tank at midnight pretty much and it does even that small thing become overwhelming. The hobby I will say is an addition, it does have the advantages and disadvantages. I am learning like most to balance it out. Everyone has to at one point or another. You will find that as well.

Ray
 
stpauli914 said:
My tank is automated to the extreme and I really don't "need" to do anything other than feed the fish and clean the glass. Aaron
Click to expand...

Definately do this for a month or two before you decide to pull the plug completely. You are coming down from a major upgrade, move, new kid and spending a s...ton of $ at Carol's firesale. You're not thinking right. Give things at least a couple months to settle, then you can be more sure about your decision. I think you owe it to yourself with all the work and expense that you have put into this setup. Having a baby sure does change your priorities though, I know for sure.
 
Like I said I support you in any decision you make. You have a beautiful tank but when u decide if u are getting out lmk asap and I will come to you that day for some stuff. Of course your always welcome to get it back later on down the road as a frag ;)
 
I've really been thinking a lot lately. I appreciate all the support from all of you and the compliments. I could not have done any of this without the help of you fellow reefers. I am going to try for a month or so to just clean my glass and feed my fish and not even look at my frag tank. After that I will probably sell all my frags on ebay and get back to the basics of just a display with maybe a frag rack in the corner. I have invested way too much time and money to just throw in the towel now. Not to mention patching the hole in my block wall that all the plumbing runs through :lol: Thanks for all your support everyone :beer:

Aaron
 
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