Are you losing enthusiasm for the hobby?

[TDEcoral]

Do you feel like you might call it quits soon? If so, why? I've been reefing for more than 15 years and recently my motivation to continue has hit rock bottom. It started with an extremely invasive variant of bubble algae which eventually led me to basically starting over with a new tank. What was most disheartening though was recently losing the hundreds of dollars worth of fish I had just purchased and I have no idea how/why it happened.

So who else is close to getting out of the hobby? Is it for reasons similar to mine, or are you simply ready for something new?

 

[JCM]

Been there before. I've been at it about the same amount of time as you but have taken 2 breaks that were 2ish years each.

The first time I just got tired of caring for things and neglected it before finally selling everything. The second time some kind of toxin got in the tank and killed everything in 48 hours.

I keep coming back though.

 

[happyhourhero]

Been there too. It’s usually only a couple of months before I start missing it again.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Debating tearing down, and selling off before buying a new home, so I don’t have to move the tank.

I also just got a new chiller today, so I’m a bit all over the place

 

[NashobaTek]

Took a 20 Year break and here I am again. Lol Once you have salt in your veins it never goes away

 

[Gtinnel]

I have only "quit" the hobby once but I find that how happy I am with the hobby comes and goes. I think we all feel like you do from time to time. Around a year ago I had a tank crash and if not for the mess I would've put a hammer through the tank. I didn't quit that time and currently I'm pretty happy with my tank, so I'm ultimately glad I didn't give up.
Dont give up things will get better.....probably.

 

[TDEcoral]

Debating tearing down, and selling off before buying a new home, so I don’t have to move the tank.

I also just got a new chiller today, so I’m a bit all over the place

I know what you mean. I'll probably be looking for a job within the next year or so and we're talking about moving to another state. I really don't want to have to deal with the logistics of moving all my corals and livestock.

 

[N.Sreefer]

I quit for awhile after my setup flooded my house with 75gallons of saltwater and I lost everything. But eventually I figured out despite the trails and tribulations I'm much happier with a reef than without it. The worst thing about that flood was my tank just reached 5 years old and it was finally beautiful and stable.

 

[Duffer]

Been there…had a bad break out of bubble galea, than gha…as soon as that went away and correct, here come ick. Wiped out the tank…on top of that could not keep sos…almost gave up, but all of a sudden acros are taken off, new fish are doing great…

I think what happens for me is the winter months I really get into the tank for summer I spend less time and away from the tank

 

[FBAA]

We all walk a fine line with fish and moreso corals. A crash can be disheartening and make someone give it up. Been there done that but keep coming back because it's so much more rewarding when it goes well. This hobby has not been cheap or easy but the understanding you develop over the years is worth the reward. Learn, Learn, Learn and never stop. When I began in reefkeeping it was a rough guess but now it's becoming a measurable success.

 

[diverrad]

i had to take a break for the last 5 years due to an accident but can finally take care of a tank so I got one going again. But this is my last hurrah with reef tanks in another 8 years i will become a snowbird, I already got my place in key west for the winters now I’m just looking for a place in Maine for the summer.unfortunately it Will be the end of reefing for me.

 

[Nano sapiens]

Sorry to hear about the losses. It's certainly can be a most challenging hobby with it's ups and downs (hopefully, mostly ups).

I've been at this for a long time with just a few years break and I haven't met anyone that is immune to the occasional 'reefer blues', but it helps to look at every setback in the context of "What can I learn from this?". I would say for most the personal rewards when all is right far exceeds the occasional setbacks.

 

[TDEcoral]

Sorry to hear about the losses. It's certainly can be a most challenging hobby with it's ups and downs (hopefully, mostly ups).

I've been at this for a long time with just a few years break and I haven't met anyone that is immune to the occasional 'reefer blues', but it helps to look at every setback in the context of "What can I learn from this?". I would say for most the personal rewards when all is right far exceeds the occasional setbacks.

Good point. I will admit that I'm having more success with acros than ever before, so I try to keep focused on that.

 

[Ricksreeefs]

Took a 20 Year break and here I am again. Lol Once you have salt in your veins it never goes away

Wow that’s older then me
Just started reefing at Christmas and I’m loving it!!!!

 

[Ghost25]

The only thing that made me consider quitting was when I finally got my tank running smoothly. My favorite part is the tinkering and watching things grow, but when everything is on autopilot I tend to get bored.