Why have you stayed in the hobby?

[rudipez]

I still remember it all as if it were yesterday. I begged my mom to buy me a tank at 10 years old and she did. I've always had a tank ever since. I'm turning 36 this month and I've decided to return back to a saltwater aquarium. Got board of freshwater so this is my birthday present to myself this year. The ocean and it's inhabitants have always held my interest. Something about a glass box with water in it & colorful inhabitants keeps me coming back for more.

Alot of good advice on here as I've read through out the years. I don't post much but I do read. A lot! :wavehand:

 

[ct_vol]

I still remember it all as if it were yesterday. I begged my mom to buy me a tank at 10 years old and she did. I've always had a tank ever since. I'm turning 36 this month and I've decided to return back to a saltwater aquarium. Got board of freshwater so this is my birthday present to myself this year. The ocean and it's inhabitants have always held my interest. Something about a glass box with water in it & colorful inhabitants keeps me coming back for more.

Alot of good advice on here as I've read through out the years. I don't post much but I do read. A lot! :wavehand:

I've had a tank since I was 6 (Turn 36 in August). There's a video of me receiving my first 10g for Christmas. I hauled my 30L down to TN when in College. While managing a horse farm, my FW tank had a slight orange tinge from the iron content of the well water. Lol Still amazes me how easy it is to keep a FW tank compared to a reef. I'm back on well water now, and go through RO/DI cartridges about once per quarter...

Anyhow, best of luck getting started. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Once your tank is cycled, I have some Pom Pom Xenia and GSP for you if you want any to get started with corals.

 

[taylor t]

I stay because it's too much work to tear it down! It's easier to spend 10 minutes a day, than to spend days and days to sell/tear it down. Kidding aside, I've thought about getting out for years. Just too hard to give up. Got my first 10 gallon tank when I was 8. Just like smoking, get em' hooked when they're young. Gosh am I glad I got LED lights years ago.

Randy, did you go to a Reef LED lights demo at FiReBrEaThA's (Rick's) house years and years ago?

 

[ct_vol]

Randy, did you go to a Reef LED lights demo at FiReBrEaThA's (Rick's) house years and years ago?

Sure did! Those Hanger Steaks were good... First time I had that cut, but not the last!!! There was something else super good there. Can't remember what. It was spicy though... I think either Rick or his wife made it... That was a good time. Nothing like good food, a few beers, and talking reef.

 

[taylor t]

In IL I haven't been as active in clubs considering I live on the middle of nowhere (wife's family is from central IL). I've been to a few JARC meetings, one BNARC, and one informal meeting in Naperville. .

I figured that was what you were referring to. :beer:
Rick really took care of his guests there.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Been at it since 93. Sure there has been times I've gotten out and then it bites me again. Lol. Seriously, I love the hobby and probably always will. For me It's my release from the day to day grind and puts my mind at ease. I know what I put in the tank relies on me to live and needs me to do so. To care for and see it grow and be healthy is worth the time and effort.

 

[ct_vol]

I figured that was what you were referring to. :beer:
Rick really took care of his guests there.

Didn't someone else try getting a club going or at least have a meeting or two around Aurora/Naperville a couple years ago? I think it was at a restaurant or bar. Unsure how well attended it was.

Been at it since 93. Sure there has been times I've gotten out and then it bites me again. Lol. Seriously, I love the hobby and probably always will. For me It's my release from the day to day grind and puts my mind at ease. I know what I put in the tank relies on me to live and needs me to do so. To care for and see it grow and be healthy is worth the time and effort.

My primary reason is the release. My father was visiting and saw an abbreviated version of the tank maintenance and commented on how much work it is, but I find it relaxing in that it takes my mind off of everything else...

 

[Duc1098]

Didn't someone else try getting a club going or at least have a meeting or two around Aurora/Naperville a couple years ago? I think it was at a restaurant or bar. Unsure how well attended it

There was at one point. I was able to make it to one where we met up at Two Brothers restaurant in Aurora. It was good to be able to meet up with like minded people when it comes to reefing. I think the organizer of that kinda feel out of the hobby or at least off the forums.

 

[rudipez]

Thanks Randy. Much appreciated & I'll PM you when I'm ready. I think this is the best part of the hobby where you set everything up & just watch it flourish.

 

[ct_vol]

There was at one point. I was able to make it to one where we met up at Two Brothers restaurant in Aurora. It was good to be able to meet up with like minded people when it comes to reefing. I think the organizer of that kinda feel out of the hobby or at least off the forums.

That's too bad. This hobby does have fairly high turnover. I guess if there's enough interest we could always try having another meeting. I'd host, but I live a fair distance from Naperville/Aurora.

Thanks Randy. Much appreciated & I'll PM you when I'm ready. I think this is the best part of the hobby where you set everything up & just watch it flourish.

No problem, just holler when you're ready to go.

 

[ct_vol]

Bullocks...

Well, Ash and I were getting ready to go to bed last night around midnight and she says, "Do you smell burning plastic?". Of course I didn't, but ran down to the basement. Before I could hit the lights, my first step into the basement was met with a splash... Not a squish, as definitive splash. I immediately hit the lights and looked at the basement tanks expecting to see pumps running dry and air being jettisoned from the return pumps. Everything looked normal thankfully. However, 3.5" of rain dumping in about 45 min = Flooded basement. Had a good 3-4" in the basement. Usually the drain keeps up. Occasionally, I'll have 1/2" on the far end of the basement near my RO/DI and salt mixing station. Fortunately when I ran the wiring for the basement system, I installed all of the outlets on the ceiling. I still have been lax in my flood planning. I ended up only losing an Ecotech MP40w power supply and Jebao Power supply. I consider that rather fortunate. Another half inch to inch and I would be replacing all of my ballasts, controllers and a few more power supplies. Oh well. I guess I'll be ordering the replacements for the 2 power supplies I lost and get to work on building shelves and moving everything higher.

 

[kegogut]

Bullocks...

Well, Ash and I were getting ready to go to bed last night around midnight and she says, "Do you smell burning plastic?". Of course I didn't, but ran down to the basement. Before I could hit the lights, my first step into the basement was met with a splash... Not a squish, as definitive splash. I immediately hit the lights and looked at the basement tanks expecting to see pumps running dry and air being jettisoned from the return pumps. Everything looked normal thankfully. However, 3.5" of rain dumping in about 45 min = Flooded basement. Had a good 3-4" in the basement. Usually the drain keeps up. Occasionally, I'll have 1/2" on the far end of the basement near my RO/DI and salt mixing station. Fortunately when I ran the wiring for the basement system, I installed all of the outlets on the ceiling. I still have been lax in my flood planning. I ended up only losing an Ecotech MP40w power supply and Jebao Power supply. I consider that rather fortunate. Another half inch to inch and I would be replacing all of my ballasts, controllers and a few more power supplies. Oh well. I guess I'll be ordering the replacements for the 2 power supplies I lost and get to work on building shelves and moving everything higher.

You got the same rain we did down here. It was pretty bad . I had previously waterproofed my basement but my neighbor got a couple inches in his.

 

[ostrow]

Bullocks...

Well, Ash and I were getting ready to go to bed last night around midnight and she says, "Do you smell burning plastic?". Of course I didn't, but ran down to the basement. Before I could hit the lights, my first step into the basement was met with a splash... Not a squish, as definitive splash. I immediately hit the lights and looked at the basement tanks expecting to see pumps running dry and air being jettisoned from the return pumps. Everything looked normal thankfully. However, 3.5" of rain dumping in about 45 min = Flooded basement. Had a good 3-4" in the basement. Usually the drain keeps up. Occasionally, I'll have 1/2" on the far end of the basement near my RO/DI and salt mixing station. Fortunately when I ran the wiring for the basement system, I installed all of the outlets on the ceiling. I still have been lax in my flood planning. I ended up only losing an Ecotech MP40w power supply and Jebao Power supply. I consider that rather fortunate. Another half inch to inch and I would be replacing all of my ballasts, controllers and a few more power supplies. Oh well. I guess I'll be ordering the replacements for the 2 power supplies I lost and get to work on building shelves and moving everything higher.

Had your same reaction a couple years ago. Now I know to finger taste test the water to see if salty so I know what to look for!

 

[ct_vol]

You got the same rain we did down here. It was pretty bad . I had previously waterproofed my basement but my neighbor got a couple inches in his.

Had your same reaction a couple years ago. Now I know to finger taste test the water to see if salty so I know what to look for!

Have an inch or so down there right now. Luckily it drains super fast since we live up on a hill. All things electrical are up out of the water though!!!

For anyone looking for replacement power supplies, couldn't be happier with the ones I bought.

MP40W replacement (Don't know if the QD's use the same one, but will work for the older versions).

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_1950913_-1

Jebao WP40 replacement

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_1952214_-1

Spent less on both than what it would have cost for just the OEM MP40W replacement.