Hello,
So in light of this lol the issue with the expense of this hobby, is basically our faulty. People who buy certain things new from companies because it’s the new must have (please don’t think I’m saying this is bad on said person because I’m not promise), makes companies realize how much money they can make. For every person who buys used their are probably 5 more who buy new. There is nothing wrong with this but that is the heart of the problem. I’m sure this could be taking in 90 different directions (which sadly lol I’m known to do in my threads).
I bought everything used my first time, which was a 125 gallon with every except lights. I paid 300 at my lfs for it. (Well my mum and dad did), them I bought two fluval marine 2.0 which were 129 each. So my total cost was 560 plus they gave me a deal on the rock water and sand. It was like another 150 of memory serves me correctly. So I was into my first tank for under 750 for everything.
Now everything was used but my lights, and my tank turned out just amazing. I didn’t have 800 dollar lights, I had no automation, no state of the art stuff. I can promise that my schedule was probably busier than most out there. But being able to do my tank on my own was the enjoyment, the fun of it. What’s the fun if something does everything for you? How does one learn what their tank needs if a machine does it for you all the silly time? I have had tremendous luck with my tank, just by simply making time for it. Trust me it’s hard with my schedule, it’s crazy hard when I put close to a 100 hours a week in. Yet, I don’t mind, spending the time, doing the water changes, because I feel I’m more part of my reef.
There is nothing wrong with automated systems, every person has the reason as to why. That reason is not up for debate simply because they want it that way and it’s their tank. But, at the same time those who do shouldn’t complain about the cost of it. We all have hobbies, and we all love them and everything costs money.
For example, my first hobby was school, luckily I went on full ride scholarship 95% or the time. If not my school would be over 500,000 for education. That’s ridiculous, and so wrong on soooo many levels. But I was lucky enough to have that chance to do that. I strongly believe if things were not so expensive people would experience them. We always wish we had more money, why can’t we demand things be cheaper? Companies would not survive if we just stopped buying from them. If we forced their hands to make things cheaper, we wouldn’t need more money and stress.
The problem is too many people must have it now, they have to just want it. Before I’m hog tied and throw to the sea, as fish food, I have done this sooo many times. It’s super hard to say no, I’m not doing this. But I wish we all could find away, so those who simply can’t enjoy some amazing things in life can.
I mean here is an example, one of my co workers hates the idea that I wear just basic shoes to work. She drives me crazy and she finally convinced me to go to the mall with her. (Yes I was kicking and screaming the whole time, such and over rated experience). Some of the shoes I picked out, because I know they will get ruined were at Payless for like 9 dollars. They were cute, worked for such an occasion and if they were ruined, who cares.
She said nope we are starting s new phase with you! (I have had to buy nicer blouses and skirts and pants for work, but i have to be professional.) but she wanted me to buy some coach shoes, I didn’t know they made shoes. But they are sure proud of them holy Bananas. They were on sale lol 50% off and they were 399, at 50% off? Who spends 800 on a pair of shoes? Do these make me fly like in the cartoon the jetsons, do they make me hover around like Marty Mcfly? Nope they are that much because of the name. Yes I tried them on, they were kinda cute. But were they comfty oh heck no. I couldn’t wear those for 24 minuets not alone 24 hours. My 9 dollar shoes ten times better, yes I do have some Dansko shoes, and some aldo shoes, but they were only 75, and 50. Not to mention a coach wallet is 299, it’s 40 less than their purses and not much bigger than my drivers license. Did they skin a holy cow or something?
But as my novel continues, I’m sooo sorry price is really relative to what we make of it. Companies know we must have it and will buy it. They are in to make money so they rack the prices up. If anybody gets anything from my novel, I hope that they know, they can control this, we can make everyone have the same wonderful experience. But we all have to help each other. We are all like a huge family on here, I would do anything to help a friend out. Will this happen over night, nope. Are there those who have lots of money because they saved and did smart things yup. Does this mean they have to live like us, of course not. But, because they control more of the money, they have way more influence than us smaller weens do.
I had to experience this also just last month. My mum and dad gave me a 425 tank for graduation from medical school.
I totally love it, but I just spent 2400 on three Mitras ghl 7200 lights. Yes this is my dream tank and I have saved tones of money for it. Am I happy about this nope, it really made me cringe. I did everything possible to find something way cheaper, that would fit my needs. It just wasn’t not going to go my way. Yet, as I feel like such a horrible person and Hippocrate, others have told me that I have really worked hard to be ahem to do this. That I have, but still hurts when I know others can barely even have a tank. The only thing i try to do is help those in need.
Sorry for the novels one and two. Also I have my 240 tank and to get it up and running where I have it now has cost me under 2400.
Also here are pics of the coach shoes my coworker is bugging me to buy. So not worth the money but are kinda cute. Not sure what color I would go with if I did buy them, which she would have to drum me senseless and hit me in the head a few times, where I’m dazed and confused. She would also have to find my tiny Disney little mermaid wallet and find me debit card.
