what to do when bored of the tank?

[SLOreefer]

unfortunately i have this problem that when i start a tank i spend a ton of money on it, do it up, get custom stuff built for it, fill it with corals, they start to grow, i start to get bored sell it all off and start over....ive only had my current tank since around september and its starting to happen again. im slacking on the care requirments things arent looking as colorful as they used to, and overall im starting to be bored with the tank.

now the problem, im considering selling this system, once again. but i know im addicted to the hobby and will start a new one soon. so im trying to get reinterested in this one but what do you guys do?

it is primarily an sps tank and maybe im bored of the lack of motion? ive added fish but its not doin much for me. living in a non-permanent fashion i cant/dont want a very large tank but am unhappy with this one now for some stupid reason

some recent pics

 

[dots]

Get a bigger tank with more diversity and more zones for you to play with......I think you got a good one started though

 

[Justin74]

I agree with dots,all though you stated its just not practical right now.It just seems you wont be trully happier till youve moved on to a bigger level,with more nooks and cranies to keep your mind occupiedBeautifull lookin tank though Slo.

-Justin

 

[yoshiod9]

eric- i can't believe you'd think of tearing that sucker down already! lol. if you're getting too bored you can come help me and eben (zapatista on nr.com and eben here on rc) figure out my surge system set up in a few weekends or so. haven't seen you in a while...so you should probably come down!

 

[robertloop]

I find that doing the extrememly boring task of automating more of the chore type stuff enhaces the experience for me. Also running experiments like growing phyto and rotifers. If you dont already have an auto top off, try and get one of those together.

 

[dots]

Thats a good point about running experiments.....try harder or more exotic things.....maybe you need more of a challenge.

But I know what you mean, my other money pit of a hobby is cars...grew up around them and did a lot of restorations, when I had my '67 Camaro I found I was more interested in building it than driving it.

And I myself am not in a permanent spot, but figured it is just as hard to move a 75g than a 37g. Still a hassle either way!!!

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

Heh. I love driving my '67 camaro, but I hate having to fix it when something breaks all the time! Anyhow... my wallet can't afford all of the LE stuff.. so I usually end up drooling over some website, but never actually order anything.. I really enjoy seeing other people's tanks, give me new ideas of things to try, sometimes get to see new corals, maybe even walk away with a couple freebies or cheap pieces! I love getting a new setup going just as much as I love seeing stuff grow and being able to frag stuff (though I don't get to frag often... growth is unbarably slow).. anyway.. don't tare it down man, it looks great!

 

[mcox33]

Just overnight it to me and start over, It is absolutely beautiful, the only improvement I can think of is if it were sitting in my living room instead of yours. LOL But truely just overnight it on over I can pm you my address if you decide to send it.

 

[Lothar]

SLO,

I know what you mean. It seems like the longest I can keep interested in a tank is about a year, then I need to set up something else. I like setting the tank up, dialing everything in and stocking. Once it is all running good, I lose some interest. Drives my wife crazy.

 

[orientalexpress]

maybe u need more a couple more fishes.a fish tank without a fish yeah is kinda boring.



lapsan

 

[JoeyK@OCMD]

You remind me of myself about 5 years ago. I would dream of having a beautiful mature tank to sit in front of and sip scotch after work. I built up many small tanks to look as good as yours, only to want more. Maybe we have a problem relaxing and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Now I have a very perminant situation with a 500 gallon custom tank in my home. The complete filtration system is outside in a tempered water closet with room to expand into many other realms of experimentation. I have given myself something that will take more time and money than I have to outgrow. Set a goal, and work for it. Good things come to those who wait, and by judging from your pictures you have a golden touch with the marine tanks.

 

[cwegescheide]

I'm with you brother... I am starting to get a little bored myself with my 90... Man I've got every whistle and bell on the thing and I agree setting it up and getting the new toys was really fun. I'm quickly starting to run out of space for frags (want to have room for them to grow) and now its just doing maintanence, making sure alk and ca is where it should be, filling up top off and water changes. I just want to have a nice tank full of large beautiful corals.

I sortof just want to "forget about it" and let it grow and mature. Not look at it soo much and then you will notice things changing and growing and keep you more interested. Like myself, I normally work out of town m-thur so being away for a few days and coming home I can really tell things are growing. Thats fascinating to me. LOL be patient and don't spend soo much time staring at your corals and you probably wont get bored as quickly

 

[TotalKhaos]

you guys are all spoiled rotten if you can get bored of such an expensive time consuming and beautiful thing so fast. Sell it all off and then turn around and want another immeadietely after.

I have never had time to get bored with my tanks. when things settle down I reaquascape, try something (a coral) I havent tried before, or get the heck away from the tank and do something else for awhile. I imagine I'd get bored with it too if I didnt have 5 different other regular activites that actually leave me pining to get home and look at my tank. but even if I did get a little bored I wouldnt even concider throwing away all my hard work.

 

[cwegescheide]

Also I think just about any schmo can have an sps tank setup for a while and fill it full of frags. The challenging part is to get them to grow, be colorful and healthy over a long period of time. Go ride your bike or something... Join the gym...