Who left the hobby?

[dmorel]

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 could have bought a car for what I've spent on lights alone...
Admittedly, I went a bit overboard there

It *can* be a less expensive hobby than others (like cars, or airplanes) and one doesn't have to have a giant tank with lots of upkeep and premium frags that cost absurd amounts of money, so you're right there I think to some degree. Particularly if you're good at waiting for deals, doing a lot of DIY projects etc. But there is no getting around the need to spend some money. It's not as inexpensive as plenty of things, and definitely more than others.

The other point you make, that upkeep and maintenance can be overwhelming is for sure a factor. Plus it's not *easy* to do this well. Tanks and their inhabitants require attention. If we don't remember to also ENJOY their beauty from time to time it can become more cost (both real and perceived) very quickly.
One the before and after thread I just posted a pic of my old tank in NY, that tank was in my bedroom, and I have to tell you having it there every single night as I drifted off to sleep was worth every penny and ounce of sweat I poured into it.

 

[Garage1217]

Saw that tank, spectacular!

 

[jet fixer]

I'm down but not out. I'm in the middle of a remodel so, after my favorite fish jumped I decided to just get rid of everything then start over when I finished with the house. My day starts by making a pot of coffee then searching for one of those deals everyone is talking about. I start here then look at the classifieds on FRAG and AZreefs after that I'm off to craigslist & ebay still haven't found what I'm looking for.

I started collecting equipment for a 58g now I'm thinking of getting a 75E or a custom 48"x22"x22" so I'm trying to sell the stuff I started to collect.

 

[evsalty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15410369#post15410369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Garage1217


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.

She did not even know the difference between an acro and an encrusting monti...LOL.

For the topic at hand....I Haven't left but I will say that it has been hard lately. Around dec 08 I upgraded from my 46b to a 125 and decided to go reef again. In Feb of 09 I lost my job so I have had to budget shop for everything that I currently have in this tank. Luckily though I have come across some exceptional deals and the tank is coming along nicely...well atleast I think so

This was a couple of hours ago

<a href="http://s662.photobucket.com/albums/uu343/evsalty/?action=view&current=fts.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu343/evsalty/fts.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[Helfrichs Chic]

I will never get out of this hobby. It is so much a part of my life. I think I like the challenge.... always some new coral to try to keep and frag, always some new equipment to save and spend on. I can not imagine my life without my house being humid in summers and a $400 electric bill. For ME its just WORTH IT. Lately with this 110 I start thinking I'm nuts and just want to GET OUT when I see what I will be spending, but then I go see someones tank, Jesse, KK, Kristin, Tiff.... and I get inspired again. I'm a lifer.

 

[Jayreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15409744#post15409744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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...

Glad to here. I will be getting some frags back from you in a couple of years

As for people coming and going the true hobbiest will always be around even if they leave for a short while or just slim down for a while. The best time I have had in the hobby is setting the tank up and getting everthing going. Once it was all up and running I was ready for more but allocated funds to diffrent toys until I am read for the next round.

 

[dmorel]

I hope so! The zoot suit is refusing to grow for me, but the others are all noticeably larger than when I got em.

 

[badfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15410369#post15410369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Garage1217

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.

Sounds boring to me. Dont get me wrong, I liked my controller. But if all i had to do to was change the water, empty the collection cup, and feed the live stock, i would have been out of this hobby along time ago. Get involved with your tank, not your controller.

As for me, i am out right now. But i am on this site every day. The house we are in, we were supposed to buy. It was supposed to be a lease to own. The papers never came and the owner decided not to sell.

All of my live stock went to a trusted FRAG member till we get the new house. The offer has been accepted and we are just waiting for the paper work.

The new house has a perfect place for the new tank. I havent bought any thing yet but i want to go bigger. Bigger tank, bigger controller, bigger sump, bigger skimmer, bigger bill. The only thing i have alive is the live rock. Its sitting in a tub in my den with a powerhead.

So some time soon there will be a new build thread from me.

 

[reefstew]

I'm in this for the long run, it's a second business. But keep checking the obituarys for Bob Bittner. My wife will be giving everything away probably even before I'm creamated! Were talking a lot of stuff. A 240 reef tank, & a fish room with over 1500 fish ,breeding pairs, & cultures.

 

[reefstew]

I'm in this for the long run, it's a second business. But keep checking the obituarys for Bob Bittner. My wife will be giving everything away probably even before I'm creamated! Were talking a lot of stuff. A 240 reef tank, & a fish room with over 1500 fish ,breeding pairs, & cultures.

 

[aquainas]

Well said^^^and same here...in and out so many times I know I'm here for the long haul , especially once I put that 240g in the wall

 

[clkwrk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15409744#post15409744 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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.

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...

:wavehand: hows it going man! glad to hear you have the superbug. Can't wait till life again allows me to put forth the effort I once could. Still have one tank with a couple fish of which one that has been with me since the begining ,some macro and some polyps.

The hardest thing is been keeping my self from buying stuff as that leads to a larger tank.

take care David

 

[dmorel]

Good to see you too (see how you're still checking the boards!)
Yeah, I put together a pretty absurd set up, you would love it. Come down to Tempe and check it out some day.
The problem I have is NOT buying things to fill up this big tank, I want to let a few of the corals grow into GIANT colonies instead of a bunch of little ones.

I'm sure you will be rocking a sweet set up again one of these years, you had some of the nicest displays in town when you were rolling. I look forward to that again.
How's that baby? Probably not much of a baby any more!

 

[clkwrk]

Nice ! I would love to stop by sometime and drool a bit .

Funny you mention your tank setup as I just mentioned to sunnyx that my next tank will be of decent size but with minimal corals grow from frags into proper colonies. No supermarket sale's rack look. Nice clean open refreshing chunk of reef.

The girls are growing quick youngest now 6 and oldest is starting the teen thing . :crazy1: