Who left the hobby?

[captain639]

I would like to start this thread to see how many people have had to leave the hobby. It seems to be pretty often that someone is selling off their entire system, or moving to a smaller setup. It would be interesting to see if there are any trends out there, ie. more big tanks, small tanks, reef tanks, swim tanks. These people might not still be reading the forums, so if you know of anyone, please list them or their setup. Try to list at least the tank size, type of setup, and the month it was taken down. If you want to add any reasons that might help like tough economy, too expensive to maintain, tank crash, moving, please feel free to. I don't want this to be a negative thread, I want us all to be able to use it. Maybe we will be able to help someone out with useful information when they are thinking of starting a new tank, or maybe it will just be so we can say "WOW, XX# of people have left the hobby this year because of the economy".:bum:

 

[ArizonaReefer]

I maybe down but I'm not out, I still have my new 240 that has not seen water yet. All my livestock and rock were sold but still have most of my hardware.

If I were to sell the tank then you can count me out but until then I still have hope of adding some water to it.

 

[m-six hundred]

^ Nice. I'm just about out. I am keeping my tank, I just don't know what to do with it. Maybe a planted tank ?

 

[vickiNaz]

For the record, I left the hobby for two reasons. I sold two tanks totalling 540 gallons. The cost of maintenance and time consumption for water changes alone was substantial... However, the power utilization was excessive - in any economy. My tanks cost $200/month to operate electricity alone. The government now taxes the well off with energy surcharges that made that higher... as I was considered an excessive use offender. My energy bills averaged $650 during the summer months and about $300-$400 the rest of the year.

I am moving and the thought of breaking down the tanks (or even hiring store people to do it) was out of the question. The last move they killed all of my fish, including my precious little "Sir Gallatan the Great". I could not go through that again. Moving is stressful enough.

I will not get back into this hobby as people involved in it really don't often know what they are doing.

 

[dream54ing]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15405009#post15405009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vickiNaz

I will not get back into this hobby as people involved in it really don't often know what they are doing.

I guess your never going to get back into ths hobby. I never know what I'm doing....

 

[JMCAquarium]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15404186#post15404186 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by m-six hundred
^ Nice. I'm just about out. I am keeping my tank, I just don't know what to do with it. Maybe a planted tank ?

Planted tanks ain't much cheaper once you really get going into it just a heads up.

 

[evsalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15405009#post15405009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vickiNaz
For the record, I left the hobby for two reasons. I sold two tanks totalling 540 gallons.
I will not get back into this hobby as people involved in it really don't often know what they are doing.

And she left with a bang....ooppss I mean with a BAN...

 

[kcz712k]

I don't know what I am doing either.... I went to the reef and got all the rock myself and put it all in my 150 gallon.

 

[rioshilo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15405009#post15405009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vickiNaz
For the record, I left the hobby for two reasons. I sold two tanks totalling 540 gallons. The cost of maintenance and time consumption for water changes alone was substantial... However, the power utilization was excessive - in any economy. My tanks cost $200/month to operate electricity alone. The government now taxes the well off with energy surcharges that made that higher... as I was considered an excessive use offender. My energy bills averaged $650 during the summer months and about $300-$400 the rest of the year.

I am moving and the thought of breaking down the tanks (or even hiring store people to do it) was out of the question. The last move they killed all of my fish, including my precious little "Sir Gallatan the Great". I could not go through that again. Moving is stressful enough.

I will not get back into this hobby as people involved in it really don't often know what they are doing.

Goodbye...






btw... thats three reasons

 

[reefdna]

I've been doing it for over a decade now and I still don't know anywhere near it all... I guess that's why i am not bored yet and that keeps me coming back! I'll tell you what if anyone nees expert, and I mean expert, advice on growing hair algae that pops up exactly every four months I'm your man!

EC

 

[kcz712k]

THIS JUST IN......VICKI is start a SHARK TANK

 

[bbonds]

I'm almost out just have abit more to sell, I am moving to Colorado, so I will start up a new reef setup after I get settled in. This economy sucks, and when it comes down to putting food on the table for your kids or paying the electric bill to feed your HQI lights and chiller, it's an easy choice. Actually it's the best time to get into the reef hobby, as live rock is cheap, tanks are cheap everything you need is on sale right now, so take advantage if you can. I know I spent 3 to 4,000 at AA within the last 2 years, and now I could spend $1500.00 on C/R or here and get the same setup..

 

[scorpiocasper]

I threaten all the time to tear down our tank. lol
Does that count?

Anyone that wants to start a planted tank, I have TONS of Java Fern for free. It is even surviving in salt water.

Sounds like it was Vicki that didn't know what she was doing or getting herself into. Research, Research.

 

[OwenInAZ]

Don't worry, Vicki just wanted to kvetch and moan when things didn't go her way. This just in: KEEPING A HUGE REEF TANK COSTS $$$!

In the spirit of the thread -- I'm not out, but definitely cutting back on things I want to buy lately.

 

[Phxkeller]

YEP I could go either way.. 300G is my fav tank. Life has gotten in the way for me... I just dont have time to do my up keep as I would like and it shows..

My coral are alive no major growth any more and maint. it falling behind. not doing water change often enough, aptasia attacks as of late, sucks to watch a beautiful thing fall apart slowly.... Even feedings are not going well.. I should turn myself in to F.A.P. - Fish Aquarium Police..

I see it as a temporary bump in the road... As long as everything makes it through.. always learning

 

[Jayreefer]

Not out at all. just sold off the reef to lighten a 5k vet bill as well as get a new toy( my street bike). I still have a 140 fish and softy tank. The softies are anything my angels won't eat. Mushroom, leathers and some LPS.

 

[Pescado Racing]

In it to win it! Still here, gotta do sumpthin to pay the bills.

 

[dmorel]

I'm guessing we won't see a lot of people that are out answering this thread as they probably aren't checking in on the boards much (or even at all) anymore if they are out of the hobby.

Personally, I am way more in than I ever have been at the moment.
Side note: Jay, your acans are doing great by the way!

This is just flat out an expensive hobby though, especially with those that don't have the time or patience to wait out a good deal, though they are plentiful at the moment.

I wonder what the average lifespan is of reefer? I would guess it's in the two to three year range...

 

[gillies]

If a person's idea of the perfect tank requires a multitude of different species in anything over 120gallons...

 

[Garage1217]

I actually view this as a cheap hobby, compared to my car addiction *LOL* I am in it for the long run. Way to much fun and enjoyment from the tanks.

I do think many people get out of it as they get overwhelmed from trying to maintain the tank. If they spent more time on automating the system so they do not have to mess with anything other than little things, it may keep them around.

Just scared to death now that my electronic ballasts that vicky swore were magnetic *LOL* are going to burn my house down *LOL* What an odd weird person. She talked so high and mighty, but after review of her tank photos in her gallery... I was not skeeered hahaha.