Do you allow "reef strangers" in your house?

[Mike&Terry]

We host a reef party/frag meet at our house every year. We don't know everyone that attends, but they are a part of our local club. Thankfully, we have not had any issues and have met a lot of new friends in the hobby this way.

-M&T

 

[revsgirl]

No.. but you do! :neutral:

 

[Selt1018]

I mainly let people I know in my apartment or if someone is with a person I know well. Im a naturally cautious person so it isnt that im really worried about them its just part of my nature. Im new to the whole Reefing hobby so I really dont have anything anyone would want to buy or see right now. So the people coming in are more than likely there to help me. But then again no one is really getting into my building without an invitation anyway.

Oh and my place is too small to host meets.

As far as the guns I find its easier not to display what I may or may not have. With the hopes that I never have to use it/them.

 

[swissgaurd]

i usually deal with people on the forums
reefers here are great people knock on wood never came across abad one yet.
ive had couples over just starting out,sit for hours learning about reefs.
ive been in the hobby over 20yrs now and have met many good folks.
i get some people upset with me why i dont visit there tanks sometime.

ive only turned down a few just because there emails just didnt feel right.
any hackling is done prior to visiting.

i think when it comes to reef stuff it brings out alot of good in people.

vic

 

[brahm]

The most rewarding part of reefing is sharing your tank, or getting to see somebody elses first hand. I wouldn't have it any other way. Being the only person with a reef tank in my town these days. Is a bit of bummer, always a good time when some people come over from the next town and I make sure to send them home with as many frags as they can carry.

 

[maroun.c]

Well I'm on the opposite side of the fence most of the time. I travel frequently and meet reefers in each country I go to. I have been invited countless times to peoples houses to check up their setups. Even had tank tours arranged with 5-6 tanks visited per day. all of them were strangers to me and I was a stranger to them.Most of them became friends and I have many frags from their systems and vice versa and we keep the long distance contact. I honestly say that showing my setup to people who travel to my country and getting invited to other peoples homes to see their tank is an honnor and makes the hobby much more enjoyable. I never felt threatened in my place nor in peoples places. I only felt uncomfortable once when I visited a guy who was totally full of tattoos and piercings... tat feeling only lasted for 5 min and I quickly realized I had nothing to worry about. I'm starting up a small fraggin business in a garage downstairs but would happilly invite people up to check out my setup as well (at least people that don't look scary) A simple surveilance camera in the tank and Frag tanks area keeps people from tempting anything against me or the tanks...
Its true that I'm feeling I sohuld reconsider after reading this thread!!!

 

[_Alex_]

Well I'm on the opposite side of the fence most of the time. I travel frequently and meet reefers in each country I go to. I have been invited countless times to peoples houses to check up their setups. Even had tank tours arranged with 5-6 tanks visited per day. all of them were strangers to me and I was a stranger to them.Most of them became friends and I have many frags from their systems and vice versa and we keep the long distance contact. I honestly say that showing my setup to people who travel to my country and getting invited to other peoples homes to see their tank is an honnor and makes the hobby much more enjoyable. I never felt threatened in my place nor in peoples places. I only felt uncomfortable once when I visited a guy who was totally full of tattoos and piercings... tat feeling only lasted for 5 min and I quickly realized I had nothing to worry about. I'm starting up a small fraggin business in a garage downstairs but would happilly invite people up to check out my setup as well (at least people that don't look scary) A simple surveilance camera in the tank and Frag tanks area keeps people from tempting anything against me or the tanks...
Its true that I'm feeling I sohuld reconsider after reading this thread!!!

you do realize plenty of people have been cought on tape still doing stuff to other peoples tanks right??

but our local club here consist of about 100 people and then we only have about 20-30 regulers maybe 40. we have had 3 meetings in the past year and i have met a lot of people from our club, and most i have allowed over to our house... now at the moment i feel like i live in a crappy enough house most people will be like wow all he has is his fish tanks HAHA.. cant wait to move.... but anyway luckily here havnt had to many issues with people personaly or from other people saying they did. but i do agree i prefer to meet them first and atleast get a first impression!

 

[maroun.c]

True, still at least you can pinpoint who of the group did what .
Also if the Camera is visible I doubt anone would dare to do anything. in my case here the reefing community is very small and I have loads of contacts with people before they fly in and can usually assess their personality to a certain extent. Not disagreeing to the fact that there is a risk involved to ones tank and more important to ones person or family which is exactly whats getting me thinking especially that I even organize tank tours to friends tanks for people who visit us.

 

[CUNAReefer]

Dont let this person in your home!!!

Serial LFS Burglar (with possible fish fetish) caught — Advanced Aquarist | Aquarist Magazine and Blog

 

[pciscott]

I have four young children and my house is open, It shocks me that so many people are scared or uncomfortable meeting new people and I try not to pay much attention to the media as they tend to sensationalize the ugly part of society. With that said any of you who would like to check out my tanks are welcome if you happen to be near Cypress Ca, and it fits my busy schedule. This hobby has been very rewarding to me and I have met many great people, I have learned patience I never had, and I enjoy sharing methods and success with friends.