Thinking of selling it all, what should i do

[yannicksjh]

Well after much debate, i'm seriously thinking about selling everything off. With the addition of a new baby and running a Heating and Cooling company, i'm finding less and less time to take care of my pride and joy. It kills me everyday of negecting this tank and not taking care of it like i used to have time for.I din't post this in the classifieds becuse i'm not 100% sure what i want to do yet or what i can get for it as a complete package (which i think would be impossible to sell all together because it would probly be quiet a bit $$$$). Maybe you guys can help me out, what do you think i can seriously get for all this stuff:

Here are some of the specs and breakdown of the equipement and livestock included: (all of the equipement included can run a 400gal tank easilly, it was my plan in the future and the reason why i bought this expensive equipement)
-120 Gallon AGA tank with dual overflows and drilled 9 times for overflows and closed loop system
-Stand and canopy
-Reeflow dart pump for closed loop system
-Panworld 100PX-X return pump
-Panworld 200PS recirc pump for skimmer
-MRC MR2R skimmer
-MRC CR2 Calcium reactor
- (2) Lumenarc III full size reflectors
- (2) Coralife 250 watt MH Ballast and bulbs
- (2) Eshopps sumps -15gal and 30gal
-Oceans Motion 4 way
-Single T5 48" with bulb
- (2) moon light tubes with 15 lights each
- (3) Canopy fans
-UV sterilizer
- (2) two little fishes Phosban Reactors
- All plumbing with ball valves, union ball valves etc
-Timers and power bars
-Milwaukee pH monitor
-Milwaukee pH monitor/controller
-CO2 regulator and selenoid
-CO2 Tank

Livestock (over 20 fish included)
Sargassum Trigger, Bluethroat trigger, Magneficient foxface, Powder Blue tang, Yellow tang, Purple Tang, Flame Angel, Pair of maiting clownfish, Six line Wrasse, Manderine, pair of cleaner shrimp, bicolor blenny, arc eye hawkfish, Blue carpet Anenome , Brains, elegance coral, aussie acans, tons of colourfull zoo's, Florida Ricordia's, Clam, small hammer, sun coral, duncans

This is just a very short description of everything. Also included would be all the "fish" related stuff i have including: test kits, food, suppliment, water barrels, nets, siphons, water top off system etc.

All my stuff is in perfect condition and was cleaned religiously. This is why its also killing not being able to take care of it as much as i would like to.
I'm in no hurry to get rid of it so i would not be willing to give it away for too cheap. Worst comes to worst, I KEEP IT

Here's some pics i have lying around: (if i part out i'll take pics of all individual equipement and livestock.

Its killing me more and more even thinking about getting rid of it and even more making this post. All comments, suggestions, opinions will be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[Cozmo4]

I'd say to try and hang in there. It doesn't sound like you really want to give it up. The baby will grow and get easier. My wife and I had three kids in a less than 4 years. Now they are 5, 3 and 2 and can help me with my tank. They absolutely love it.

 

[avshockey311]

What a nice set-up to just give up on. As said above I would try and hang in there. That Fox Face is Amazing! I also love the aquascaping!

 

[burton14e7]

Looks like to me all you would have to do is add a auto top off unit and you're tank would be pretty much automated minus feeding the fish. Get something big enough for the ATO reservoir that you only have to add water once a week or something easy. I enjoy feeding the fish but I hate adding RO/DI every day so I set up ATO on my nano's even. One of the cheaper things to add that makes a big impact to me.

 

[yannicksjh]

thanks. Guess i should have mentionned, i do have an ATO system that i just have to flip the valve to fill my reservoir only once a week. I so particuliar with everyhting and like to keep everything spotless which takes alot of regular maintenance (cleaning glass, skimmer, pumps, everything free of dust and salt creep/spray ect) I really dont think i'll get a big enough offer anyway to part with it. thanks for the comments and like i said there is no final decision on getting rid of it yet .

 

[sikpupy]

Yea, ATO and you never have to think of it other than feding the fish, and, that can be taked care of also, with pellets.

I have had a step child before and its not all that hard once you realize the child does NOT need all the attention you think it will. Heck, in the first year, all it does is lay there and look at the ceiling, lol. Now, if you want to be spending "all" your time holding the child (and thats cool), yea, your gonna have ot make decisions. Another thing, even thought it never works out this way, but, at age 2 and later, I have always made mine go to bed around 8-9. This still leaves you an hour for the tank every night. I say hold on to the tank for at least a year, most, after the child has arrived. If it does not get any better on you then sell it.

 

[yannicksjh]

The thing is a also have a three year old and a heating and cooling company so this time of the year is just crazy (air conditioning) and not just the new born. thanks for the support!

 

[darkdruid]

If you find you just don't have the time and have to give up reefing for now, sell off your livestock and keep your equipment. Break it down, clean everything, dry the rock out, and pack it all away in the garage. An empty tank doesn't take any time or money to maintain, and when you do finally have the time again, all you need is water and you are ready to start stocking. Not having to come up with several thousand dollars makes it alot easier when you are ready to get started with the new setup.

You could always set up a smaller tank that would take alot less work. Cherry pick your rock and corals, use parts of the old setup, and store the rest until you have time for the big tank again.

 

[sikpupy]

I dont know, i think you can do it, but, only you know for sure. You say you have a 3 year old too? Well, let me tell you, been there done that, just add one more to the list amd make it three my friend, lol. I will honestly say in your defense I did not have to deal 24/7, but, I had three of them bouncing around enough to get a good taste. Still had time at night, but, that would taking care of a tank a half hour a day and not a full hour, lol.

 

[waynem]

The equipment is the big cost if you wanted to sell now and start again later so I would say pull the tank down sell the corals rocks etc and keep the rest. Stick a ugly *** gold fish in the tank just so your wife does not bug you about the tank being empty and just leave a small pump and one small light running.

It will drop you monthly cost and needs very little time plus when things are on the up you can quickly and cheaply start again.

 

[yannicksjh]

Thanks guys. When i started this hobby i never thought it would be such a hard decision. I'm definately leaning towards keeping it. At worst i'll shut it down and keep all my equipement. Funny thing is i'm having a hard enough time thinking about parting from my fish. I havnt had a loss (death) in such a long time now and kinda grown attached to them. I would hate to have to replace my sargassum, male bluthroat, powder blue , purple tang, magnificient foxface, flame angel that are all in perfect health, tank acclimated and all get along. Thanks for the support guys!

 

[sedor]

That is such a beautiful tank. I for one couldn't part with it. The good part is you do have things set up where you can pretty much run on auto pilot. Trust me when I say that once that baby comes, your going to need a little time to yourself every once in a while. Set aside a couple hours one day a week that you dedicate to cleaning up and maintaining the tank.

You'll kick yourself in the butt when the urge to reef comes back and you got nothing left.

 

[amkelly802]

keep the tank dude, your life may get a little crazy but a tank like that can just about run itself. also in a busy life, the tank might be the thing that keeps you feeling like you have a little control over something. its such hard work to make something like that and for it to just be given away, dont think about the money, think about the time youve put in to make it what it is... remember the fish are like family too now, just something to think about

 

[sikpupy]

Its funny to me, and I know sometimes you have to do it, that I see a lot of peopole selling thier souls when they have kids. I have seen guys sell thier prized cars and what not. My friend sold his boat and stopped hanging out with me. I am like........ ??? Yea, i now he has family, but, wasnt I there for him always also? What was I then? In the end when they have nothing left of thiers and they are all burnt out complaining do they pop back up. By then I am like ...whatever, later!

Point is, no matter where you are, you need some of you to go with all the rest of everything else. Obligations and time is one thing but one should never sell out for the other. If you can do it, keep a peice of your dream, "your" enjoyment and as YOU sacrafice for others, remember, its a family, they need to sacrafice just a liiiiiiitle for you too, to have your beloved tank. Trust me, they can do and handle it .

 

[Bri Guy]

Sell the corals and go FOWLR for awhile, much cheaper and less time consuming.

 

[fsn77]

I would suggest trying to keep it running for at least a few more months. There will always be something pulling you away from it... children, work, other activities, etc. It's been harder for me to keep ours going since our little girl arrived 14 months ago and my wife working as many hours as she does, but our tank continues to do well all the same. It might even be doing better, since I'm not tinkering with it as much anymore. Sure, the front glass could be cleaner (I've never cleaned the sides, as it's not all that viewable from the sides anyway), but I've learned to live with that. Letting coralline start to grow on the glass is the kind of neglect that's only in our heads. If I know someone is coming over, I'll find the time to clean the front glass up nice so they can enjoy the tank, which usually doesn't take all that long.

If keeping the tank up and running doesn't work out, I'd sell everything but your equipment. Since you seem to have bought your equipment wanting a larger tank in the future, I would sell this tank and the livestock and just store the equipment. When you're able to set up a tank again, you can then get the tank you really want. I don't know how common they are in your area, but it's pretty easy to find a 120g AGA around here, so storing the tank wouldn't be worth the space it takes up, IMO.

 

[yannicksjh]

You guys ALL make great points. Thanks for all the support. I think you guys convinced me to stick in there and keep it. Actually more than keep it, but keep it up and running!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fellow reefers are nothing but the best people that are always trying to help each other out, even if we are mostly all starngers that live accross the country and even different countries including myself form Canada.

 

[romsoccer12]

Downgrade!! you can still make some money selling off big stuff yet still keep your hobby going! Amazing tank btw

 

[Zebodog]

A few more years and you can use the tank as a great educational tool for the youngsters.

That's a great looking reef. It's obvious you've put a lot of hard work and love into it.

 

[Tadashi]

Your tank looks great. I really regret taking down my tank, but then it was because I was moving every 2 years. I have since gotten back into it and using some of my old stuff that I kept.

Both of my kids used to love looking at my tank. I would put them in their high chairs and they would look at the tank while I worked on stuff or while I fed them.

What do you call neglect? I would think that if you had it dialed in you would only need to do daily feedings, monthly or biweekly water changes, and water top off if you did not have an auto top off system.

Worse case I would only trade (for dry goods) or sell the livestock, LR, and LS. Keep the equipment for later when you have more time and decide to get back into the hobby.

You can also do what I am. I am setting up a 14-gal nano at my office. I am automating as much as possible which is a lot easier with a smaller tank. My co-workers are really supportive (they just want a free saltwater tank to look at =D).

I am definitely going to start my big tank when my kid gets in middle school. It will be a father-son project, I hope. I learned so much from my tanks (chemistry, biology, physics, wood working, plumbing, wiring, ecology, etc).